U13F Div 1 Sat 5th April Ballycullen Lucan 8-10 Ballyboden 2-7

The late switch from Hermitage to Ballycullen didn't affect the U13 footballers’ preparation for their first Div 1 game of the season.  Having battled hard in the grading league with 4 wins out of 5 the division 1 pedigree of this Team was confirmed with a powerful display against a strong Ballyboden side. 

There was a stiff cross wind on the day and it took 5 minutes for Lucan to register the opening score on the vast Ballycullen pitch, a pointed free from Matthew Dunne following excellent close in work from Mark Lavin. 

Following some significant pressure from Boden a succession of conceded frees eventually led to the equalising score for Boden after 8 minutes.  From the resulting kick out by Daragh Reid an excellent 45 break by Robert Moloney led to the first goal of the game neatly finished by Brian Tracey.  This triggered a brace of goals from Mark Lavin on the 20^th and 25^th minutes.  The 2^nd of these was at the end of a sweeping move started on the half back line by Sean Casey with a 30 meter kick pass to Matthew on the left wing who played a quick cross field ball to Lavin who rounded his man and finished confidently to the roof of the net.  The Gael Scoil Esker Riada man finished off a first half hat trick on 25 minutes, securing match ball rights.  At the break the score was Lucan 4-3 Boden 0-3.

At the turn Boden upped their game and started brightly scoring 2-1 in the first 10 minutes.  However, Lucan continued to tag on scores in this period with excellent half back breaks by Jake Rooney and Dylan Kelly leading to fine points from Brian O’Sullivan and Mark Lavin.  Boden moved the ball well in this opening period however, in the final 3^rd of the park the Lucan corner back partnership of Luke Monaghan and Philip Kane were first to every ball, thereby stifling the home team’s attacks. 

The last 20 minutes belonged to Lucan with Ben Mullins crowning off and excellent display of skill and handling with 2-2 from play in this period.  Further goals from Henry Keogh and Matthew Dunne finished off the game as a contest.

Overall this was a great squad performance with like for like substitutions in the second half strengthening Lucan’s control over the game.  The middle 6, in particular Colm Behan, covered every blade of grass and benefited from the hard work put in over the winter! 

In the end a satisfying victory and the first step on the Division 1 ladder.  Let’s hope we have a head for heights!

Team: Daragh Reid, Luke Monaghan, Sean Casey, Philip Kane, Robert Moloney, Dylan Kelly, Jake Rooney, Colm Behan, Henry Keogh, Brian O’Sullivan, Matthew Dunne, Brian Tracey, Colm Walsh, Ben Mullins, Mark Lavin, Cian Buckley, Charlie Keher and Jack Lawless.  Scorers: Mark Lavin (3-1), Ben Mullins (2-2), Matthew Dunne (1-2), Brian Tracey (1-2), Henry Keogh (1-0), Brian O’Sullivan (0-2), Charlie Keher (0-1).