Lucan CBS’s brilliant schools run continues

COLAISTE Phadraig CBS Lucan claimed their fifth Dublin title in first year soccer since 2007 when they defeated St. Benildus College Stillorgan on penalties in the league final at Marlay Park.
The Lucan side claimed the title just two days after suffering heartbreak in the Leinster Champions League Final at the hands of Naas CBS.
Leading 1-0 after a fine goal from Kyle Robinson, Lucan were seconds away from claiming the prestigious trophy for the first time in the school’s history when Naas equalised with the very last kick of the game to force extra time.
Naas then rubbed salt into the Lucan wounds by snatch the winning goal in stoppage time.
It added to the sense of potential atonement as Lucan were determined to get one over the 2015 All-Ireland first year champions, Benildus, in a fixture between two schools with excellent records on the schools front.
The game was played at a frantic pace with both teams committing men forward which made for an attractive open game on the beautiful sun-drenched all-weather surface.
Adam Wells went closest for Lucan in the closing seconds of the half while Benildus had plenty of ball but Kian Moore was largely untroubled. The second half followed the same pattern with the Stillorgan side holding more of the ball while Lucan played on the counter.
The breakthrough came 10 minutes into the second half when Marcus Malone picked up a loose ball in midfield and released Robinson. He struck a crisp left footed drive across the keeper into the far corner.
Benildus, however, stuck to their attacking principles and high pressing game and were finally rewarded when they equalised with five minutes remaining from a close range header.
Extra time produced no winner, leading to the shoot-out. Robinson, Oisin O’Neill and Ben Hogan all converted their penalties while both teams missed one each. At 3-2, Kian Moore made a terrific save from the Benildus number seven which meant that Lucan had the chance to seal the win it.
Team captain Adam Wells stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to win the game for Lucan, sparking delirious scenes of celebration.