Win or bust for Lucan in SHC

THE challenge that lies in front of Lucan Sarsfields senior hurlers is quite simple this weekend: win, or your championship hopes are over.
Vincent Teehan’s side will meet Ballinteer St John’s at Monastery Road, Clondalkin on Saturday afternoon in a Group 2 winner-takes-all clash in the Dublin senior A hurling championship.
Before the group’s final round of fixtures this weekend, Lucan currently sit bottom of the table, level on points with Faughs. Ballinteer meanwhile are second, on two points.
Many expect group leaders and the already qualified Cuala to beat Faughs in O’Toole Park on Saturday which would leave that prized second spot open to whoever wins in Clondalkin.
Gerry Bellew, a selector on Teehan’s backroom team at Lucan, spoke to GazetteSport in the build-up to the massive fixture. “If we lose, we’re gone. We know that, the players know that. It’s that simple,” he said.
On paper and past meetings, there’s very little to separate the two sides, with the three previous fixtures all finishing in draws.
“It will be neck and neck, the records in the last few games show that and I’m sure this time will be no different,” Bellew stated.
Lucan have managed quite well without their intercounty stars over the summer, as they lie just one point off the top in AHL Division 1. But Bellew did admit it is nice to have an almost fully fit full squad back training regularly.
“It does always provide a boost to get your county players back,” he said. “The squad are in good form and have been for the last couple of weeks.
“We’re still missing Peter Kelly, who missed a lot of hurling over the summer with Dublin through injury.
“He’s back training but this game has come a bit too soon for him; other than that we’ve only one other definite absentee due to a J1 who’s still away,” added the selector.”
There are still doubts about whether or not Johnny McCaffrey will return to action for the club, but his experience would certainly help Lucan in what Bellew expects to be an extremely tight game.
“I don’t think it’ll be too open,” he said. “One or two scores should separate the sides come the final whistle.
“It’s a big game, there will be pressure involved, but we’ve looked good in training and everyone in the camp is looking forward to it.”