Davis topple Sarsfields in junior title decider
By Gavin Dalton
A strong second half performance by Thomas Davis ensured last year’s loss to Castleknock wasn’t to be repeated on Sunday afternoon.
Deserving winners, Thomas Davis were made battle it out the very end against a spirited Lucan Sarsfielfds team who played the majority of this years Junior 2 All-County Football Championship final with 14 men.
Thomas Davis junior footballers secured the Junior Two Championship crown on Sunday
The match, originally fixed for Clanna Gael’s Sean Moore Park was moved to Balinteer Community School’s astro pitch which led to some questioning by members of the participating teams as to how a championship final could be played at a venue which has no dressing rooms, which forced both sides to get changed on the field.
Albeit, the quick running surface led to a hard-hitting, end to end encounter.
The game commenced at a slow pace with both teams finding themselves getting turned over all too easy.
Shane Casey opened the day’s scoring after six minutes with a well-taken score following a strong run from midfielder Paul Casey.
Minutes later a pointed free for Thomas Davis had the teams level at a point a piece.
On the ten-minute mark came the sending off of Sarsfield’s full forward Mark Moran. An off-the-ball incident between the Moran and one of Thomas Davis’ midfielders saw referee Eamon Bryce reach for the red card after consulting with his umpire.
Thomas Davis’ did not avail of the extra man well following this, and it was Lucan Sarsfields who in fact looked like the team with 15 men, going on to lead the tie at the break 0:03 – 0:02.
A low scoring affair saw both teams being wasteful in front of goal, with Thomas Davis kicking five first-half wides, whilst Lucan Sars accounted for six respectively.
The second half brought some excitement for the supporters.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half saw the teams take it in turns to work the scoreboard. Thomas Davis were starting to capitalise with the extra man, and led six points to five at the 40 minute mark.
Then came the losing of the game for Lucan Sars, a spell they will look back at with regret. With all the play, Sars failed to capitalise on possession, kicking four wides in as many minutes between the 11th and 15th minute.
From here, Thomas Davis would kick on. Some top of the range points by Dylan Gibbons followed by a well-taken goal by their busy wing forward R. Sharkey would prove enough for the Tallaght based club to claim the title.
Much to the discretion of the Thomas Davis sideline, referee Eamon Bryce would go on to play an additional nine minutes stoppage time at the end of the half, in which Sars scored a controversial penalty through John Doyle in the 38th minute to allow for a nervy finish to the game.
However it was Thomas Davis who would deservingly hang on, with strong performances on the day by Jordie Mckenna and Dylan Gibbons. For Lucan Sars, Shane Casey and John Doyle performed well throughout.
Thomas Davis: P.Fahey, C.Byrne, St.Reardon, C.Flood, J.Mckenna, P.Clinton, Mk.Lawlor (0-01), D O’Donovan, C.Cooney, D Hennessy(0-01), R.Mearns (0-01), R.Sharkey(1-0), J.Owens, F.Kevlihan (0-3, 0-2f), D.Gibbons (0-02, 0-01f) .
Subs: C. Melligan (0-01) for C.Cooney (28), A.Dowdall for F. Kevlihan (47), J. O’Connor for D. Hennessy(54), K. Nugent for C.Melligan (blood)(60), T.Bryne for R.Sharkey (63)
Lucan Sarsfields: M. Robinson, S.Keher, D.Mescall, C.McGrath, C. Gaire, D.Gallagher, A.Kirwan, T.Bradley, P.Casey, M.Moore, N.Mckiernan, J.Doyle(1-03, 1-0 p, 0-03 f) T.Brennan, M.Moran, S.Casey (0-03. Subs: N. Flynn for M. Moore (25), P. Sloal for C.Gaire (51), P.Carroll for N.Flynn(57)
TAGS Sport
