Lucan Sarsfield’s Club Notes
GAA National Club Draw
Thank you everyone for your efforts and support in the GAA National Draw sales. We sold 607 tickets in total and raised over 9 grand! Congratulations to our U11 girls who sold a whopping 95 tickets and sold the most overall in the juvenile section as well as most overall in the club. Well done to the Senior-Inter Camogie teams who sold the most in the adult section.
Summer Camps
Our Easter camp and summer camps for 2025 are now open for registration. Open to all boys and girls starting primary school in september or just finishing primary school this year. We weclome both members and non members of all abilities. All of our camps are dual football and camogie/hurling, hurls ad helmets can be povided if needed. This year alongside our camp jersey each child attending will also receive a Lucan Sarsfields Camp sliotar! We would like to thank Keane Windows for their continued support of our camps. Bookings can be made via clubzap, the QR code in the poster or the following link ; https://lucansarsfields.clubzap.com/categories/camp/products
Lotto
We had no winner of last week’s lotto jackpot of €2,200. The Numbers were 8,9,10,20. Lucky dip’s go to Damien O'Brien, Michaela Caseley, Hickey Family, Pat Keane, Catherine Dardis .
This week’s Lotto will be for a jackpot of €2,600. This draw is sponsored by Clandillon Motors.
Healthy Clubs
Our healthy club committee would like to encourage our members and supporters to donate blood. There will be a blood drive in Lucan Community College today on the 12th of March from 5pm-8:30pm. More information on blood donations and clinics can be found through the following link; https://www.giveblood.ie/
Hurling
Match Report: AHL3 – Naomh Olafs vs. Lucan Sarsfields
Date: 03-09-2025 Final Score Naomh Olafs: 1-12 Lucan Sarsfields: 0-10
The game started at a steady pace with both teams struggling to find accuracy in the early minutes. Olafs had an early free go short, while Lucan Sars' missed two frees in the opening minutes. Naomh Olafs opened the scoring with a well-taken free from their number 15 at the 6th minute. However, Lucan Sarsfields responded with two points from play, courtesy of Robert Kehrr and Evin Dowling. Olafs managed to get their rhythm going with a series of scores, including points from play by their number 8 and 15. Lucan Sarsfields found their accuracy from placed balls, with Colm Keenan slotting over a free to keep them in touch. However, Olafs maintained their lead, with further scores coming from their number 11 and 13 before the halftime whistle.
At the break, Olafs led by 0-6 to 0-4, with both teams guilty of several wides throughout the half. The second half started with Lucan Sarsfields making an immediate impact, with Colm Keenan registering a free and a point from play early on. However, Olafs were determined to extend their lead, responding with crucial scores from play, including a well-taken goal at the 17-minute mark. Lucan Sarsfields continued to rely on Keenan, who added further points from frees and play, while Joey Dunne also contributed a well-taken score. Despite their efforts, Olafs maintained their composure and added late scores to secure their victory.By the final whistle, Olafs emerged victorious with a five-point win, 1-12 of to 0-10, demonstrating strong attacking play and defensive resilience. Naomh Olafs will be pleased with their efficiency in attack and their ability to secure victory despite some early misses. Lucan Sarsfields had their chances but were left to rue their inaccuracy from frees and play. A solid contest with both teams showing promise for the season ahead.
Football
LUCAN SARSFIELDS v ST FINIAN’S NEWCASTLE
10.15am 12th Lock AFL4 Sun 02/03/2025
5-19 ( 2-12) v 2-06 (0-4)
So much can change in a year. A little less than 12 months ago we went to Newcastle, and never quite managed to find any rhythm. This morning not only were the rhythm section providing a driving beat, but we had no end of Prima Donnas up front hitting all the high notes. I was tempted to confine this report to a headline, that merely recorded the “5-19” scoreline, but others want their egos massaged , so have to rub in the oil. Before the game we looked for the lads to focus on width/movement for kickouts, quick transition from defence and feed the inside forward line quick and often (the polar opposite to the O’Dwyers game!!) and boy that was delivered. Onto the story of the game….Finian’s opened the scoring with a 1st minute free. Also be wary of poking the bear. Brendan must have been suitably prodded, answering with 3 points in 3 mins , all from play. This set the scene for the day. Tony ghosted through and gave the keeper no chance. Sam picked up a spilled ball in midfield, and after a fine run slotted his first point in a year. From a very loose kickout Charlie was able to catch and send the ball straight back over the keeper. Over the bar. Finian’s were struggling to get up the field. Short kickouts were not working, and when they went long, despite having some big midfielders, it was Lucan that were cleaning up. Michael added a point, thereby opening his account with the club. The 10th minute and 5/6 Lucan forwards had raised a flag!
It's not that Finian’s were not getting up the field, but whereas Lucan would only register a single first half wide, Finian’s were kicking some very poor efforts. The Lucan defence were on top, and many of those poor efforts could be attributed to the defensive effort. I have a recollection of Brendan, Oran and Cathal all seemingly having been beaten to the ball, or been dispossessed, only for them to somehow get in a hand, that was enough to break up the attack. In front of them Cormac, Tim and Rob were equally deft at getting a hand on their opposite men. Much of the quick ball to the forward line was coming from these 3. Tim may have taken a bang to the head, because late on he found himself lost up the field, and accidentally steered the ball into the net. At least I think that is what happened. The opening 10 min salvo of 1-6, was repeated over the remaining 20mins. An Oscar 45 sailed between the posts, Charlie raised a green flag and Brendan wrestled back the point scoring from his surrounding proteges.
The half time message was to keep the foot on the gas. It would be a tall order to maintain that level, but Lucan made a very reasonable attempt. Oisin was the only forward not on the score board at the turn, but he had put that to rights after less than a minute, after Oscar won the ball from the throw in and Oisin cut in from the left for a fine score. The new rules have made this a much more aerobic sport. There is little time for catching breath. There were definitely less off the ball runs than in the opening period. A brilliant length of the field move saw Colum release Brendan, and his run into the heart of their defence, eventually drew the full back line, allowing a neat popped pass for Michael to palm to the net. Less runs, but still some excellent runs! Subs came on and both did very well. The fresh legs meant Cian was able to get on as lot of ball, and every time he was looking to release runners. Jack added an excellent point.
When the full forward line notch up 2-12, they might look odds on for any award that might be available, but 1-5 from the half forwards is an admirable effort. Tony, Sam & Oisin were equally prominent in their covering back. A super display from the 3 of them.
In our previous outing we had struggled badly on both kickouts. Conor's first kickout today went to an unmarked Rob, straight in front of goal, and from then on Lucan dominated this facet of the game. The Finian's keeper was having a 'mare at the other end, as Oscar and Collum challenged for every high ball. A good day for Lucan between the sticks and in the middle of the park.
Leaving 6 players down the field is creating a lot more space at the other end. We have yet to see any keepers venturing up the field. There were few instances of ref moving ball 50m, but plenty of quickly taken “solo and go”. Back chat to ref is almost gone…..at least from Lucan side of the fence. Perhaps it is easier to keep the gob shut when you’re winning? Much changed behaviour from the sideline. Plenty of calls for lads to get forward / back / into space / whatever, but almost no attempts to tell the ref about his need for new glasses / whether his parents were married / or my favourite “REFEREEEEEE”.
Thank You for supporting Lucan Sarsfields GAA Club.
