Match of the Week: Lucan U12s five-star show

LUCAN UNITED set up a date with Malahide United, in the Under 12 SFAI Trophy fourth round, after a 5-0 win over Lourdes Celtic in Airlie Heights last Saturday reports John Mooney.

Lourdes were facing a side that are two Divisions above them in the DDSL, United are a Premier side, and it showed on the field.

That’s not to say it was backs to the wall stuff, sometimes scorelines can be deceiving, as the visitors gave as good as they got but just couldn’t find the net.

They did go close on a couple of occasions when Fraizer Plunkett flashed two decent free kicks just wide of the post, but they just couldn’t find the finishing touch and in keeper Jack Grogan they had a real hero.

He pulled off some superb saves and didn’t let his head drop at any point despite conceding five.

But the day belonged to Lucan and, after a two goal cushion in the opening half, it was Diego Murphy-Diez who stole the headlines with a hat-trick in the second period.

Barely two minutes had elapsed in the first half and the home side were in front, as Joy Wuna was on hand to smash home a loose ball after Grogan did well to stop Daniel Wright goal bound effort.

Lucan United saw off Lourdes Celtic 5-0 in the under 12 SFAI trophy

They doubled that on 15 minutes when Brennan Glover fired in an effort that was charged down, however, Jacob Mehigan was on hand to slot home.

The score remained that way until a minute into the second half, when Murphy-Diez got the first of his hat-trick when he guided home a Stefan Gasan centre.

It was looking grim for the Celts but they battled on gamely, and brought the game forward at every opportunity, but Lucan always had that bit more in the tank.

Murphy-Diez bagged his second of the afternoon on 40 minutes, when he connected perfectly with another centre from Gasan and guided the ball into the roof of the net.

Two goals to his credit, ten minutes to play, and Murphy-Diez was looking for his third, which he dually delivered with two minutes remaining.

A perfect ending for the home side to a good game, and one that Lourdes could hold their heads up high after the final whistle.

LUCAN UNITED: Dylan Murray, Leo McKeown, Stefan Gasan, Edin Kuljancic, Daniel Wright, Brannan Glover, Mithran Tharmendran, Joy Wuna, Jacob Mehigan, Conor Dunne, Anis Taicha, Diego Murphy Diez, Ryan Breslin.

LOURDES CELTIC: Jack Grogan, Fraizer Plunkett, Kai Nolan, Maddox Greenhalgh, Presley Harris, Archie Fegan, Harlow Hunt, Olly Gannon, Calum Egan, Leighton Blood.