The 2015 Champions Cuala booked their place in this year’s final against Kilmacud Crokes in what many have described as an underwhelming contest against Lucan Sarsfields in the second of yesterday’s Semi Finals in Parnell Park.
There was quite the expectation leading up to this game, but in a stiff and defensive contest, it didn’t really deliver.
David Treacy once again was the marquee player for the champions scoring 0-09 of Cuala’s 0-13 today. The other high point of this game was the introduction of Lucan’s Peter Kelly in the second half, to a big applause from the relatively small crowd in Parnell Park on Semi Final Day.
Treacy opened Cuala’s account in the first minute with a splendid point from play and both teams dogged it out across the middle of the park before Kevin O’Reilly pointed two frees in the 14th and 16th minute.
With both sides finding their fair share of wide shots, the contest really wasn’t stacking up. David Treacy continued to shoot well from the dead ball as Cuala drew frees from Lucan. Three scores from the Cuala free taker and a well finished score from Nicky Kenny stretched the champions lead to 0-03.
Chris Crummey’s long range effort for Lucan sailed through the uprights as both teams knuckled down again for the remaining six minutes of the half. Treacy closed the session as he opened it with another free, leaving Cuala 0-03 ahead going into the dressing rooms.
The opening of the second half saw Lucan press once again, but to their credit both Cian O’Callaghan and Paul Schutte had Cuala’s defence working overtime yesterday, with defence being a massive part of the game.
Treacy again opened proceedings with a free after five minutes, with Darragh O’Connell sending another over from play two minutes later.
Lucan managed to force Cuala wide for a spell and capitalised, with Paul Crummey and Kevin O’Reilly clawing three scores back between them. David Treacy and Aidan Roche traded scores before Cuala dug deep to close out the game.
Scores from Treacy (2), Sean Moran and Con O’Callaghan finished a less then exciting Semi Final. But Cuala had done enough to advance to October 29th.
Scorers for Cuala:
David Treacy 0-09 (0-8f)
Sean Moran 0-01
Darragh O’Connell 0-01
Nicky Kenny 0-01
Con O’Callaghan 0-01
Scorers for Lucan Sarsfields:
Kevin O’Reilly 0-04 (0-04f)
Chris Crummey 0-01
Paul Crummey 0-01
Aidan Roche 0-01
Subs for Cuala:
Con O’Callaghan for Sean Treacy (33)
Sheanon for Waldron (59)
Fitzgerald for Con O’Callaghan (63)
Stapleton for O’Connell (64)
Subs for Lucan Sarsfields:
Kelly for Moran (39)
Smith for Byrne (44)
Dowling for Fitzgerald (54)
D Brennan for A Roche (59)
