St Mark’s junior hurlers edge past Lucan to secure third win of season

ST MARK’S junior hurlers dished out a five-point reversal to Lucan Sarsfield in a 4-9 to 4-4 win in the fifth round of the Adult Hurling League Division 10 South at McGee Park last week. 

Lucan got an early run on the hosts inside the first minute, clipping the sliotar past Mark’s netminder Keane Jago.

Jago, who has displayed excellent shot stopping skills this season, was caught on the hop as Sarsfields bolstered their lead with two further goals after scrambles around the box.

At the break, Lucan lead 3-3 to 1-3 after Mark’s skewed several opportunities in front of the posts.

Gareth Mahon, having missed a few deadballs in the opening half, used the break wisely to recalibrate and get his eye in, and came flying out of the blocks in the second half for the hosts.

Deployed into midfield, Mahon was industrious alongside Ryan Russell, and was unwavering over frees and 65s to drag Mark’s back into the occasion.

While Daniel Finn, Cormac Ó Raghallaigh and Adam Sharpe swept up at the back, it was the low ball into forwards Paul O’Donnell, Darren Byrne and Gary Kett which proved pivotal.

Byrne had a particularly strong game inside, dragging his player out before beating him in behind and he tallied two goals while O’Donnell and Kett’s energy was unwavering.

While the ball into the corners paid dividends, the amber and blacks also varied it up and dropped the ball onto the edge of the square for Darragh Doyle to wreak havoc to run out 4-9 to 4-4 winners.

The victory brought Mark’s up to fourth place in the league, with St Anne’s top of the heap, ahead of Thomas Davis only on score difference after the Kiltipper lads were undone by Kevins in the last round.

Good Counsel Liffey Gaels are two-points off the top, but have played a game less than the leaders while St Jame’s Gaels An Caislean, St Kevins Killian’s, and Lucan Sarsfields sit mid table.

Wanderers have only togged out once so far this season and were heavily beaten by table toppers St Anne’s, with this reflected in their positioning in the table.