Squad depth key to Lucan success
Lucan United manager John Doyle has insisted that the strength n’ depth of his squad was key to seeing team secure the LSL Senior Division 1A title this season.
Goals from Marco Chindea and Andrew Bracken proved enough to see them over the line after they beat main rivals Kilnamanagh 2-0.
Lucan earned promotion to Senior One
It was their third attempt at securing promotion to the second tier of intermediate soccer in the Leinster Senior League after having previously made the jump from 1B after finishing runners-up there.
Looking back on a great campaign this season, manager Doyle told The Echo “We put together a good squad.
“We had played in a [pre-season] tournament in Crumlin that involved a lot of players who hadn’t necessarily signed for any teams, but we had to wait until the tournament had finished to see who was available to commit to us.
“We knew the standard that was required and what it would take to get promoted. That was the most important thing for us.
“We had a decent team last season and were on top up until Christmas, but after that we really struggled with suspensions and injures.
“So this season we looked at building a squad. A good team will get you only so far, but you need a good squad if you want to win anything.
“The players we brought in were very competitive, those we brought on in matches improved the team. The problem then was trying to keep them all happy because they know they’re good players and would walk on to most teams.
“We wanted them to enjoy what they were doing and so it was about building that environment.
“We wanted to be in the top three at Christmas and we were there or thereabouts after having lost only one game.
“Everytime we lost a match after that we’d go on a run straight after and the players really dug out the results” he said.
The season is far from over for this Lucan outfit with a clash against Mullingar Athletic in the semi finals of the Lummy O’Reilly Cup coming up on Sunday, May 19.
What’s more the team will also be looking forward to the visit of Aisling Annacotty for their FAI Cup qualifying round match.
