Semi-final exits for Lucan and Ballyboden in Senior Hurling Championships
There was disappointment for the Lucan Sarsfields and Ballyboden St Enda’s ‘B’ hurlers in their respective Dublin Senior Championship semi-finals on Sunday.
At Parnell Park, Lucan suffered a comprehensive 1-20 to 0-12 reversal at the hands of Na Fianna in the last-four of the Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship. Across the city at O’Toole Park, ‘Boden narrowly lost out to Castleknock in a gripping Senior ‘B’ Championship encounter on a final score of 2-17 to 1-18.
With their footballers set to compete against St Jude’s in the Senior One Football Championship semi-final next weekend, the Lucan hurlers were hoping to keep the club’s double hopes alive for a little while longer.
Whereas Sarsfields weren’t looking to break new ground having previously reached the ‘A’ decider back in 2013, Na Fianna were in the hunt for a maiden showpiece appearance.
One of the players that was spearheading their charge was former St Patrick’s, Palmerstown star Liam Rushe, who is incidentally also an alum of Colaiste Cois Life in Lucan. He was on target during the opening quarter as Na Fianna established a 0-8 to 0-2 buffer.
However, thanks to five points from ace marksman Ciaran Dowling – and a single effort by 2013 All Star Peter Kelly – Lucan were in contention for large stretches of the first half.
Nevertheless, a Colin Currie goal ultimately propelled Na Fianna into a 1-12 to 0-6 interval lead.
Lucan did their utmost to stem the tide on the restart, with Dowling eventually ending the contest with nine points to his name.
Chris Crummey and Donal Flannery also split the uprights in fine style, but there was to be no halting the charge of Na Fianna, who can now look forward to a final date with Kilmacud Crokes in a fortnight’s time.
As one-time champions (in 2012) and three-time finalists overall, ‘Boden fancied their chances of progressing into the ‘B’ final at the expense of Castleknock.
They played some excellent hurling throughout the opening period, but ultimately trailed 2-7 to 0-11 at the interval in O’Toole Park with Dublin senior footballer Ciaran Kilkenny on hand to claim the second ‘Knock goal.
The Firhouse Road men still trailed by four points heading towards the end of normal time, but receiving a late boost with a rebounded finish to the net after Castleknock netminder Jack Banks had turned away a retaken penalty.
Yet ‘Boden couldn’t overturn their determined counterparts, who had just enough in reserve to secure the spoils.
Elsewhere, Round Tower Clondalkin were slender 1-18 to 3-11 victors against Crumlin in a Dublin Senior ‘B’ Hurling Championship relegation play-off at Pearse Park on Sunday morning.
