Vincents Go Fifth In AFL With Win Over Lucan

ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE 

ST VINCENT’S 2-9 

LUCAN SARSFIELDS 1-11 

By Daire Walsh 

St Vincent’s held off a final-quarter burst by Lucan Sarsfields at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn on Wednesday evening to move up to fifth in the Adult Football League Division One table.

Thanks to goals in each half from Adam Baxter and Nathan Mullins, the Marino men developed a commanding seven-point cushion (2-8 to 0-7) with just 20 minutes remaining in the contest. Lucan persevered with their challenge as the final whistle approached and Alan Murphy’ late major cut their deficit to the bare minimum.

Nevertheless, Tony Diamond’s hosts held out for their eighth win of the campaign - which puts them just behind fourth-place St Jude’s on score difference. Despite some mixed form during the 2019 season, recent back-to-back victories over Templeogue Synge Street and Naomh Maur had kept Vins in contention for a play-off spot.

The defending champions were facing a Lucan side who recently lost out to Thomas Davis seven days earlier, but had recorded three wins on the bounce prior to that particular encounter. They fell adrift to early Vins points courtesy of Baxter and Sean O’Meara and while they created a number of opportunities during the early exchanges, the visitors struggled to take advantage of some promising attacks.

They eventually opened their account when wing-forward Shane Dolan cancelled out Baxter’s second point of the half and the towering Brian Collopy later split the posts on the turn. In the absence of both Diarmuid Connolly and Tomas Quinn, former Galway footballer Fiachra Breathnach was selected at centre-forward for Vincent’s.

Despite being deployed in defence for much of his time in the capital, it was further up the field that Breathnach (a Connacht SFC winner in 2008) made his mark at inter-county level. Baxter was also making a strong impact on the edge of the square, though it was Cormac Diamond who was next on target with a 13th-minute point.

This was swiftly followed by additional scores for Baxter (free) and Albert Martin as Vins sought to create clear daylight between themselves and their 12th Lock counterparts. A long barren spell in front of the posts ensued for both sides, albeit Jordan Delmar produced a fine stop out of stand-in Vins netminder Paddy Kavanagh.

Although this was a minor let-off for the home team, they responded in clinical fashion at the opposite end. A superb ball over the top found its way into hands of Baxter on 24 minutes and he rolled comfortably beyond the reach of the stranded Mark Gibbons.

Lucan finally bolstered their tally through a Brendan Gallagher free, but they were still six points in arrears (1-6 to 0-3) when the half-time whistle sounded. In an effort to force themselves into the reckoning, Lucan introduced former Sky Blues star Stephen O’Shaughnessy on the resumption.

His inclusion at corner-forward enabled Jack Carey to moved out onto the wing and the latter opened his personal account after centre-fielder Sean Newcombe had kicked a fine score straight from the throw-in. Following a frustrating opening period, a galvanised Lucan were beginning to gather serious momentum.

Dolan and O’Shaughnessy added points in the space of 60 seconds - narrowing the gap to two in the process. While this threw down the gauntlet to Vincent’s, they eventually responded with a decisive scoring blitz.

After initiating a powerful move from deep, the industrious Mullins kicked home for his side’s second goal of the contest. He immediately supplemented this three-pointer with a white flag effort at a tight angle and inside forward Patrick Feeney then became the sixth player to get his name on the Vins scoresheet.

In a matter of moments, they had seemingly left their opponents with too much ground to cover. Lucan are nothing if not resilient, however, and unanswered points for Gallagher (free) and Dolan ensured Vins were not out of sight just yet.

Breathnach’s outstanding build-up play subsequently released Baxter for another point with 11 minutes remaining - increasing his individual haul to an impressive 1-4. Even though Collopy and centre-back Sean Cleary found the range for Lucan, Vins largely controlled possession during the closing stages of the action.

Full-back Murphy ramped up the tension on the hour mark when he palmed John McGarvey deflected shot to the net but in spite of the five minutes of stoppage-time that were played, an equalising score eluded them.

Lucan will look for a response to this set-back when they host Ballinteer St John’s on August 17. On the same evening, Vincent’s will pay a visit to Thomas Davis at Kiltipper Road.

Scorers - St Vincent’s: Adam Baxter 1-4 (0-1f), Nathan Mullins 1-1, Albert Martin, Cormac Diamond, Sean O’Meara, Patrick Feeney 0-1 each. Lucan Sarsfields: Shane Dolan 0-3, Alan Murphy 1-0, Brendan Gallagher (2f), Brian Collopy (’65’) 0-2 each, Sean Cleary, Sean Newcombe, Jack Carey, Stephen O’Shaughnessy 0-1 each.

ST VINCENT’S: Paddy Kavanagh; Eddie Duffy, Jarlath Curley, James McCusker; Cameron Diamond, Tiernan Diamond, Sean Lowry; Albert Martin, Nathan Mullins; Cormac Diamond, Fiachra Breathnach, Sean O’Meara; Patrick Feeney, Adam Baxter, Greg Murphy. Subs: Ciaran Fogarty for Lowry, Dylan Confrey for Feeney (both 43).

LUCAN SARSFIELDS: Mark Gibbons; Dan Forde, Alan Murphy, Robert Ennis; Emmet Allen, Sean Cleary, Declan O’Shaughnessy; Sean Newcombe, Rory Kelly; Jordan Delmar, Brendan Gallagher, Shane Dolan; John McGarvey, Brian Collopy, Jack Carey. Subs: Stephen O’Shaughnessy for Delmar (half-time), Delmar for Gallagher (50).

Referee: James King (Garda/Westmanstown Gaels).