Match of the Week: Eyes on the ball

MOMENTUM swung St Mark’s way at the right time, as they ran out 2-15 to 2-8 victors against Lucan Sarsfield in the Junior ‘H’ Hurling Championship in McGee Park on Monday night.

It is the first time in nearly a decade that St Mark’s have fielded a second team in championship hurling, and the Tallaght outfit made their intentions clear against a dogged Lucan side.

Gar Mahon left a lasting impression on the game, contributing a bulk of points from placed ball situations, and play, while Liam McLoughlin ran the Sarsfields backline ragged.

Every time Ryan Russell or Karl Lanney gained possession, McLoughlin made a darting run inside and looked like he could split the net at any moment, instead scoring a couple of points.

Down the other end, Matthew Ryan proved to be a real handful for the travelling Lucan side, scoring a goal in each half as Dean Boylan fired over.

Both Josh Brant and Adam Whyte found their range as well, although Michael Kavanagh, Chris Mullen and Keane Jago worked diligently to repel their advances.

St Mark’s beat Lucan Sarsfield in McGee Park on Monday night

A Mark’s goal before the break saw the sides deadlocked at 1-6 apiece, and quick start to the second half saw momentum swing towards the hosts.

Stephen Loughlin scored a lovely point off his left from range on the restart and then saw a long-range strike drop just inside the net to push the Saints ahead.

Still, Josh Murphy had an outstanding game in between the posts for Lucan, and had he not been clued-in, the goals tally may have been more against his team.

Lucan Sarsfield couldn’t get the better of St Mark’s

Cian Moonan also contributed a score for the hosts and Mahon kept the scoreboard ticking to push Mark’s over the line in a titanic battle in Tallaght.

Next, St Mark’s welcome Garda to McGee Park as Wanderers, who were on a bye this week, take on Commercials on July 27.

Elsewhere in the group, Commercials were beaten 1-11 to 4-18 by Na Gaeil Aeracha while Ballyboden St Enda’s got the better of St Kevin’s Killian’s and Na Gaeil Oga beat Cuala in group two.

ST MARK’S: K Jago, H Moore, M Kavanagh, C Mullen, W Crosbie, K Lanney, O Morrison, R Russell, G Mahon, S Loughlin, C Moonan, E Walsh, L McLoughlin, D Doyle, B Redmond, S Sherwood, D Byrne, J O’Connor, E Moonan

LUCAN SARSFIELD: J Murphy, C McCormack, C O’Neill, S Egan, J Ryan, D Lawlor, A Skehan, C Morrissey, A Sheery, D Boylan, A Whyte, J Brant, S Keegan, R Brant, C Chambers, L O’Neill, R Hazley, J Goulding, J Langan, M Ryan, J Kelly