Lucan defy Kilmacud Crokes to book SHC ‘A’ semi-final spot

DUBLIN SHC 'A' QUARTER-FINAL

LUCAN SARSFIELDS 0-16 KILMACUD CROKES 1-12

Lucan Sarsfields out-worked Kilmacud Crokes to book their berth in the last-four with this Dublin SHC ‘A’ quarter-final at Parnell Park on Sunday.

The winners will face holders Cuala in their semi-final with Ballyboden St Enda’s meeting Na Fianna in the other last-four encounter in two weeks’ time.

The SHC 'B' semi-final draw pitted Kilmacud Crokes versus Cuala and Na FIanna against Nh Fionnbarra.

Sarsfields trailed by a point at the break, 0-9 to 0-8, but with the wind at their back put in a very determined second half to topple Crokes.

A injury-time goal from a free from Ronan Hayes from 23 metres, which was moved forward for dissent, cut the gap to the minimum but Lucan deservedly held on.

Lucan’s work-rate was exceptional and they never let Crokes into the stride they had shown when looking dangerous during the group phase.

It took Crokes 24 minutes to score from play in the second-half – a telling statistic on a frustrating afternoon for the Stillorgan side.

Sarsfields had heroes all over the park with Ronan Smith and John McCaffrey among others highlighting their will to win.

Up front Chris Crummey and younger brother Paul did well with Chris hitting five points from play.

Goalkeeper Cillian Murray also played a key role with his penalty save when denying Ronan Hayes in the seventh minute of the second-half a crucial moment in the contest.

Late on he also saved a quick snap shot from Mark Grogan with Oisín O’Rorke unable to steer the rebound home from a very tight angle.

Ben Coffey converted four second-half frees with Matt McCaffrey striking a brilliant point in the 44^th minute when following great collective defence Matt McCaffrey and Peter Kelly combined to telling effect.

The opening half was a physical battle with both defences on top.

By the interval Crokes led 0-9 to 0-8 with scores towards the conclusion of the first-half from Caolán Conway and Oisín O’Rorke (free) giving them the lead.

Oisín O’Rorke opened the scoring when converting an early ‘65’ with Lucan’s Peter Kelly quickly equalising.

Scores from Caolán Conway and Fergal Whitely, after being placed by Marc Howard, saw Kilmacud move 0-3 to 0-1 clear by the fifth minute.

Ben Coffey struck four frees and one from play during the opening half as Lucan edged in front, 0-6 to 0-5, by the midpoint while Oisín O’Rorke making the most of Crokes’ deadball opportunites.

The best score of the half was Chris Crummey’s excellent 25^th minute effort when Crokes defender Mark Grogan lost possession and his footing with Crummey striking over though off balance from 50 metres.

SCORERS - Lucan Sarsfields: B Coffey 0-9 (0-7f), C Crummey 0-5, P Kelly, M McCaffrey 0-1 each. Kilmacud Crokes: O O’Rorke 0-6 (0-5f), R Hayes 1-0 (1-0f), C Conway, F Whitely 0-2 each, A Considine 0-1.

LUCAN SARSFIELDS: C Murray; P Claffey, J Bellew, A Murphy; P Rigney, J McCaffrey, M McCaffrey; R Smith, K Fitzgerald; P Kelly, C Crummey, C McHugh; CJ Smith, P Crummey, B Coffey. Subs: C Dowling for McHugh (ht), K Fitzgerald for Kelly (53).

KILMACUD CROKES: M Collins; B Sheehy, B O’Carroll, J Clinton; N Ó Riordáin, C Mac Gabhann, M Grogan; F Whitely, D Mulligan; M Howard, S McGrath, C Conway; O O’Rorke, R Hayes, A Considine. Subs: D Butler for Whitely (42), S Leahyfor Howard (53).

REF: D Burnett (Craobh Chiaráin).