LUCAN SARSFIELDS 1-15 CUALA 0-12
Dublin minor hurling captain of this year, Chris Crummy, came off the bench to grab the only goal of the game to settle this Evening Herald Dublin SHC ‘A’ first round tie at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.
Lucan were struggling to shake off a plucky Cuala before Crummy’s goal four minutes from time after a long delivery from impressive wing-back Mick May eventually settled the outcome.
If Crummy’s late goal was vital to eventually sealing the deal it was one of his Dublin minor team-mates, Sean McClelland, whose instinctive defensive work and lengthy clearances who was one of Lucan’s most impressive performers.
However, their most important player was Kevin O’Reilly whose tally of ten points, eight from deadballs, helped separate the sides.
O’Reilly could have added to his tally but his 46th minute penalty was brilliantly turned around the post by Oisin Cough in the 46th minute.
Lucan led 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval after an evenly balanced opening half – a half during which Cuala midfielder Cian Waldron converted a sideline cut.
Cuala made the better start to the second half and four points without reply from John Sheanon, three frees, ensured that Lucan led by just the minimum, 0-10 to 0-9, with 20 minutes remaining.
Crucially O’Reilly broke Cuala’s momentum which he won a fine ball before pointing on the turn just before the three-quarter mark and Lucan did just enough despite the best efforts of the likes of Cuala centre-back Shane Kiely to stay in front before Crummy’s late goal ended any small hope of a shock Cuala victory.
SCORERS Lucan Sarsfields: K OReilly 0-10 (0-6f, 0-2 65), C Crummy 1-0, R Lambert, M May 0-2, J McCaffrey 0-1. Cuala: J Sheanon 0-7 (0-6f), S Kiely 0-2 (0-1 65, 0-1f), C Waldron (0-1 sline), P Schutte, D Cunningham 0-1 each.
LUCAN SARSFIELDS – D Cunningham; B McGarry, P Kelly, S McClelland; K Fitzgerald, M McCaffrey, M May; J McCaffrey, D Brennan; P Brennan, R Lambert, T Somers; P ODriscoll, T Lee, K OReilly. Subs: J Byrne for D Brennan (33), A White for Lee (55), C Crummy for Somers (55), C Dooley for McGarry (61).
CUALA – F OBrien; S Holden, O Gough, R Reid; C Gough, S Kiely, R Browne; P Schutte, C Waldron; J Sheanon, D Cunningham, M Schutte; B Fitzgerald, A Browne, JJ Ryan. Subs: S Timlin for Browne (ht), S OBrien for Ryan (46), P Butler for Sheanon (59), D Holden for Fitzgerald (61).
REF – M Butler (Kilmacud Crokes)
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