St Judes Get Past Lucan To Progress To Go Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Final

St Judes 1-18 

Lucan Sarsfields 3-05 

St Judes will contest the 2021 Go Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Final, following victory over Lucan Sarsfields at Parnell Park on Saturday evening. 

A third quarter scoring burst put the Templeogue side in command and- despite a late surge from Lucan- they held on to deservedly seal their place in the County Final.

Judes dominated the first half against the breeze, and raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead by the first water break, thanks to early scores from David Mannix, Alan Connolly and Niall Coakley.

However, they owed their first quarter advantage to a superb save from goalkeeper Paul Copeland, who denied Ciarán Smith from close range.

Lucan struggled to get into the game and four unanswered scores from Judes in the second quarter- from Mannix, Coakley and Colm Murphy- saw the Templeogue side go in five clear at half time (0-07 to 0-02).

St Judes' Pat Spillane was awarded the Go Ahead Man of the Match. 

Lucan got the perfect start to the second half, when Brendan Gallagher blasted home a penalty, after the referee adjudged Harry Ladd had been fouled.

But Judes responded in style, hitting 1-05 without reply for the remainder of the quarter, to all but seal victory.

The Go Ahead Man of the Match Pat Spillane impressed with two good scores, before Judes struck for a goal of their own on 35 minutes. A lovely pass inside from deep was flicked on by David Sheehy into the path of Niall Coakley, who finished to the net in style. 

Further points from Kevin McManamon and Alan Connolly had Gareth Roche’s men ten clear by the second half water break.

Lucan staged a mini-comeback in the final ten minutes. They reduced the gap to four points late on, thanks to two further goals for Brendan Gallagher from penalties- the first a rebound after his spot kick effort was saved.

But late scores from substitutes Seamus Ryan, Brian Coakley and Diarmaid McLoughlin- and a final point from Spillane- ensured Judes’ quest for a first ever Dublin Senior Football title remains alive. They will now face Kilmacud Crokes in the decider. 

Scorers: St Judes: Niall Coakley 1-02 (0-1f), David Mannix 0-04 (0-2f), Pat Spillane 0-03, Alan Connolly 0-02, Kevin McManamon 0-02 (0-1 ‘45), Colm Murphy 0-01, Daragh Kavanagh 0-01, Seamus Ryan 0-01, Brian Coakley 0-01, Diarmaid McLoughlin 0-01. 

Lucan Sarsfields: Brendan Gallagher 3-03 (2-0 pen, 0-02 f), Harry Ladd 0-02