Lucan 4-5, Oliver Plunketts 1-9
Lucan’s minor hurlers brought championship glory back to the club for the second time in three years when they defeated Oliver Plunkett’s by 5 points under lights in Parnell Park on Friday night. In a hard fought game played on a slippery surface Lucan’s greater skill and will to win saw them through in the end.
A Lucan win looked a long shot after 10 minutes play during which Plunkett’s dominated the early exchanges. They opened with points from a free and play before a dipping shot slipped through goalie Maurice Ryan’s fingers and into the net. Ryan did not let this slip affect his confidence and he went on to play a vital role in the Lucan success. Meanwhile two long range efforts from David Quinn were off target as Lucan struggled to come to terms with the greasy surface and the sharper Plunkett’s side. A point in the 10th minute by Alan Whyte got Lucan off the mark but this was only a temporary reprieve as further points from Plunkett’s gave Lucan a seemingly impossible mountain to climb. However the game turned on it’s head in a 6 minute spell when 3 goals put a different complexion on the nights affair. First up was Sujon Almajir who got in behind the Plunkett’s full back line to fire the ball past the Plunketts goalie, Almost immediately David Quinn stepped up to slam a 21meter free to the net and before we had time to catch breath Alan Whyte got in on the act forcing a close range effort over the goal line. Suddenly from what looked like a near hopeless position, Lucan were in command and went in leading 3-1 to 1-4.
Plunketts came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half and rifled over 4 unanswered points which turned a three point half time deficit into a 1 point lead. However, the Lucan fullback line of Liam Ruane, Paul Tansey and Keith Masterson ably assisted by goalie Maurice Ryan withstood sustained Plunkett’s pressure keeping the Lucan goal intact. The half back line of Peter Kelly, Eoghan Carabini, Man of the Match Colm Larkin and midfielder Kevin Fitzgerald really dug deep and helped break up many Plunkett attacks and it was still all to play for as the game entered the last 10 minutes. The Lucan forwards were finding scores hard to come by from a tight marking defence in this tough and energy sapping encounter.
They did manage two vital points when initially good work by Barry Torsney found the unmarked Gareth Hamilton who split the uprights and then the accurate free taking of Alan Whyte was rewarded with a point from near the sideline. Lucan needed a big score to break the Plunkett’s resolve and it arrived courtesy of David Quinn when another long range free proved too hot to handle for the Plunkett’s keeper and the ball nestled in the net. With a 4 point cushion it was now Lucan’s game to lose as we entered injury time. Every player fought as though their life depended on it and it took one last surging run into the Plunkett’s half by Kelly to finally seal the issue when with what looked like the whole defence hanging out of him he was brought to ground and up stepped captain Whyte to fire high and accurate between the posts.
The referee finally calling a halt to the action from the puck out starting scenes of great jubilation in the Lucan camp. Team Captain Alan Whyte accepted the Minor Cup on behalf of a jubilant squad and mentors. The team would like to thank their supporters who travelled in great numbers and supported them throughout the season. Thanks also to our sponsor the Lucan Spa Hotel.
Lucan Squad:
Maurice Ryan, Liam Ruane, Paul Tansey, Keith Masterson, Eoghan Carabini, Peter Kelly, Colm Larkin, Kevin Fitzgerald, Anto Lee, Barry Torsney, David Quinn, Gareth Hamilton, Sujon Almajir, Alan Whyte, Dermot Gallagher, Darragh Kinsella, Darragh Quinn, Will Garbutt, Rob Lester, Wesley Redmond, Ollie Collins, Neil Ryan, Jimmy Comaskey
Mentors: Tadgh Clandillon, Robbie Byrne, Vinny Shanagher, David O’ Sullivan, Joe Whyte
Lucan met with Erin’s Isle, unbeaten in their group games, in the semi-final of the Minor B Championship. Lucan started the stronger and went 1-2 in front, with points from G.Hamilton, D.Quinn and a well-taken goal from A.Whyte. Isle’s rallied and scored two goals before the break, but another goal from Whyte us in front by one point at half-time. In the second half, Lucan scored early points, and D.Quinn, who finished with 0-8 kept Lucan in front throughout. A goal from a 21 yard free for Isle’s 10 minutes from time kept the match in the balance right to the wire, but B.Torsney settled Lucan’s nerves flicking the ball goal bound to leave Lucan four points to the good. Congratulations to the team who progress to the final in two weeks time