Davis and Lucan go head to head in championship opener

AFTER a week of celebrations following Dublin’s All-Ireland success, all eyes will be on the Dublin Senior Club Championship which swings into action this week.

There is a full list of group fixtures down for decision with two local teams Thomas Davis and Lucan Sarsfields going head to head in their opening games.

Both teams have been moving well in Division One of the league, and they will both be anxious to get their campaigns off to a good start.

The teams met in the league in June with the Kiltipper side coming out on tops on that occasion but up to that point in the season, Sarsfields had been moving well in the competition.

Since that match, both teams have recorded a mixed bag of results with Lucan beating St Jude’s but losing out to Ballymun Kickhams while Davis lost to St Jude’s and Na Fianna, drew with St Olaf’s before going on to beat Raheny.

Both teams welcome back their Dublin players with Cian Murphy returning to Thomas Davis while Daire Newcombe rejoining the Sarsfields panel.

Lucan have plenty of talent in their side with players like Darren Gavin and Emmet O’Conghaile played at inter county level while Brendan Gallagher, a former Leitrim player is a key player in attack.

Davis on the other hand will be looking to county star Cian Murphy for leadership while Fionn Murray, Eoin Kirby and Adam Waddick will have key roles to play.

Eamon Conroy will pose problems for the Lucan defence while Fionn Lynch will need to be on form to stop an-inform Sarsfields outfit.

Elsewhere, St Jude’s senior footballers will be looking to get their side of to a winning start.

Jude’s have been in the shake-up in the competition over the past few years and will be expected to reach the final stages.

Dublin player Tom Lahiff will be a central figure in the Jude’s set-up while former Dubs player Kevin McManamon will pose problems for the Mobhi Road side.

Na Fianna are always a tough team to stop in the championship and with players like Eoin Murchan in their side, they will take some stopping.

Elsewhere, St Mary’s senior footballers kick off their championship campaign in Senior Two when they play Naomh Olaf in Saggart.

Mary’s, who are still in the hunt for the Division Two league title, take on an Olaf’s outfit who are occupying in the bottom half of Division One.

Mary’s will be in confident form heading into this contest but they are missing a number of players like Jack Maguire who broke his leg against Round Towers (Lusk) in the league, midfielder Mick O’Keeffe and Sean O’Toole who has emigrated to Australia.

However Mary’s still have a strong pool of players to choose from with captain Eoin Murray leading the charge along with forward Blaine Kelly.

Ciaran Dunne forms a strong defensive unit for Mary’s while Adam Drewett and Jamie McCarville have done well since breaking into the team in attack.

Olaf’s have Dublin defender Davy Byrne in their panel and they will certainly give Mary’s a competitive match.

Having beat Olaf’s in the championship last season, Mary’s will be hoping for the same result this weekend.

Mary’s are in a group that contains St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh and Round Towers (Lusk) and it will be a difficult task to make the knockout stages.

Elsewhere, St Mary’s junior footballers will play Templeogue/Synge Street in their championship opener.

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