A-Dam fine performance secures Minor hurling league title – Gizmo reports from PUM
There’s a real “meanness” about this team that just sets them apart. This is not to be confused with the “meanness” of the management, who wouldn’t buy you a drink if you were perishing with the thirst, that’s a different kind of “meanness”. Steely determination would probably be a better description. (Again, not of the managements unwillingness to spend a few bob in the bar, that’s a given, I mean the players……… The steely determination of the players)
Lucan Sarsfields were the visitors to PUM in the penultimate round of the 2019 Division 1 league campaign. A tough encounter made even tougher by the thoughts of the imminent rewards on offer, the Division 1 league title. From the throw in, like Johnny Kenny hearing the rumour of a free bar, the lads burst all in front of them. But Lucan didn’t battle the delights of the M50 just to make up the numbers, they were determined to spoil the party.
The opening brace of points from Adam Kelleher, along with one by Pierce Christie, were quickly evaporated by the sharp shooting of Lucan’s Charlie Kerr. The sides were level on three occasions in what proved to be an unbecoming and error strewn first half. Only for another hat trick of points from Kelleher, and contributions from the ever-industrious Corcoran at full forward, Christie again and Darragh Kenny, allowed us to get to the break with our noses in front, 0-11 to 0-8.
Strong words needed by the management, but they were obviously too busy counting their Communion money because young Fergal Ryan took it on himself to inspire his teammates. His harsh dismissal at the beginning of the second half brought out the true grit of this wonderful bunch of hurlers. (Fair play Fergal, it was a master stroke).
Everyone grew an inch taller as one of their own was “Dissed” (Ask your kids, they will explain what that means). A major reshuffle was required, and the players adapted to their new positions like they played there all their lives. A real credit to them. The new back six of O’Donnell, Maguire (Joe), Mulligan-Lynch, Behan, Wall & Codd were tighter than Bombers wallet clasp, only conceding 1-1 in 32 minutes of hurling, and that is with just 14 men.
Maguire (John) & Kelleher, drove the revival that inspired Hassett, Murphy, Kenny, Power & Monahan to ensure Lucan could not break out of their own defence. Now we’re cookin’ with gas, lads………. Lambert’s puck out accuracy saw Boden dispatch ten 2nd half points, a score line more reflective of the lad’s performance. But for three fine saves from the Lucan net minder, this could have been a blood bath worthy of a Quentin Tarantino movie (kids, ask you parents, they’ll explain).
Lifted by the injustice, even the corner backs of Mulligan-Lynch and O’Donnell, who on separate occasions, ran the length of the pitch to get in on the scoring. But the final word goes to young Adam Kelleher, who at one stage I thought was cloned as he seemed to be everywhere on the pitch, an inspired performance.
So that’s the league wrapped up with a game to spare which is next Friday, 12th July, at home to Raheny. Please come along, if only to see the managements collection of Pounds, Schillings and Pence………
Final Score: BBSE 0-21 Lucan 1-9
The team: Jack Lambert, Luke Mulligan Lynch (0-1), Fergal Ryan, Sean O’Donnell (0-1), Cillian Wall, Joe Maguire, Malachy Codd, Eoin Behan (0-1), John Maguire (0-2), Darragh Kenny (0-2), Pierce Christie (0-3), David Monahan, Adam Kelleher (0-7 (3xF)), Cian Corcoran (0-2), Cian Hassett, Sean Murphy (0-2), Rian Power, Eoghan Deignan