Coffey earns Lucan draw with Vincent’s (SHC ‘A’ Group 1)

St Vincent’s and Lucan Sarsfields concluded their Dublin SHC 'A' Group 1 round-robin phase in a draw (1-17 each) at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon,

The Marino side looked to be headed for victory when a Cian McBride goal gave them a two-point lead as the game moved into the last minute of normal time.

However, Ben Coffey converted two lasat frees to bring the sides level, both teams had already booked their spot in the quarter-finals in advance of this tie.

Vincent's led by the minimum at half-time, 0-10 to 0-9, and a John Hetherton free, following a foul on Rian McBride extended their advantage on the restart.

But typical of this well-balanced tie Lucan responded with the influential Paul Crummey hitting 1-1 in quick succession and when Ben Coffey converted a free Lucan were 1-10 to 0-11 to the good.

Vinnies regained the lead with scores from James Mulcahy, Alan Moore and a fine score from Tomás Connolly to lead 0-15 to 1-11 with 15 minutes remaining.

Paul Crummey was again on target and two Ben Coffey frees either side of a James Mulcahy reply for Vinnies let the outcome very much in the balance entering the last five minutes with Lucan 1-14 to 0-16 to the good.

Cian McBride levelled it for Vincent's before Chris Crummey edged Sarsfields back in front.

Cian McBride then struck for a goal following good approach play by John Hetherton and Vincent's looked set to complete the round-robin group stage with a 100 per cent record.

That was until Ben Coffey successfully converted those two late frees to earn a share of the spoils for Lucan.

In a very even opening half that included plenty of open hurling Vincent's were 0-10 to 0-9 ahead at the break.

The Marino men opened the better, showing greater accuracy, to lead 0-3 to 0-0 inside seven minutes with Mark Sweeney and Darach McBride on target.

To set the tone of what was to follow Lucan then replied with scores from Chris Crummey, Peter Kelly and Chris Crummey again, after combining with his younger brother Paul, to level it, 0-3 each inside 12 mintues.

Next move was Vincent's with scores from Conor Burke and Rian McBride, one of three brothers in the starting 15, to move 0-6 to 0-3 up.

Ben Coffey converted a free and clipped a point from play to reduce the gap before John Hetherton put over a free from 45 metres and soon after added another to make it 0-8 to 0-5 after 26 minutes.

Points from Lucan duo Paul Crummey and John Bellew cut the gap to the minimum before James Mulcahy put Vincent's 0-9 to 0-7 ahead.

Before the half-time interval St Vincent's Mark Sweeney and Lucan's Ben Coffey, with a '65', exchanged scores to leave Vinnies one up (0-10 to 0-9).

In the other SHC 'A' Group 1 encounter St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh drew with Ballinteer St John's, 2-14 to 0-20, in O'Toole Park with Cian Boland hitting both Plunkett's goals (one free, one penalty).