AFL1 ROUNDUP – 17TH JUNE

ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP: JUNE 17

St Brigid’s boosted their Adult Football League Division One prospects at Tymon North on Saturday evening, when they recorded a comprehensive victory over St Jude’s.

Thomas Davis’ three-point home defeat to Na Fianna (3-13 to 1-16) meant that Jude’s would move to the top of the table with another win, but an early goal by Alan Daly helped Brigid’s to hit the ground running in the southside venue.

The dismissal of Colin Murphy also left Jude’s with a numerical disadvantage, as an additional goal from Philip Ryan offered Brigid’s a 2-7 to 0-6 interval lead.

Darren Freeman and Daire Plunkett were also on the scoresheet in the first-half, and a second major by Ryan upon the resumption effectively placed the tie beyond doubt. Scores by Kevin Callaghan, Collie Carr and Freeman increased the gap between the sides, before a fourth goal from Sean Egan steered the Russell Park men towards a 4-14 to 0-11 success.

This ensures that Brigid’s are just two points adrift of Thomas Davis with a game still in hand, and thanks to their 2-14 to 1-11 triumph against St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh on the same day, Ballymun Kickhams also remain in the chasing pack.

Clontarf’s quest for a first win in this season’s top-flight looked set to come to an end when they led St Maur’s by three points (1-11 to 2-5) early in the second-half of their meeting at St Anne’s Park. However, a Davy McGuinness penalty moved Maur’s back into the ascendancy, and with David Carthy in superb form throughout, the Rush outfit edged through on a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-14.

Kilmacud Crokes extended their unbeaten league run to four games at Somerton Park, claiming a narrow 1-12 to 1-11 win against Castleknock. A Pat Burke goal (following superb build-up play from Shane Horan), kept the Glenalbyn men in touch during the opening period, before points from Callum Pearson, Cian O’Connor and Mark Vaughan (who finished with a personal haul of 0-6) helped them to hit the front after the restart.

Crokes also had excellent displays from Nathan Nolan, Ross McGowan, Andy McGowan and Conor Casey, and although they registered a stoppage-time goal, a wayward last-gasp free from Dessie Carlos denied Castleknock a share of the spoils.

After a run of three consecutive draws, Skerries Harps defeated Cuala with two points to spare (1-15 to 0-16), while at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn St Vincent’s came out on top by 3-19 to 2-12 against Lucan Sarsfields. The home sides goals came courtesy of Albert Martin, Tomas Quinn and Craig Brennan while Darren Gavin gave a very impressive performance over the hour for Lucan.

By Daire Walsh

AFL 1: GAME OF THE WEEK – NA FIANNA V THOMAS DAVIS

ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Saturday 17th June

NA FIANNA: 3-13

THOMAS DAVIS: 1-16

Strong performances from Tomas Brady and Glen O’Reilly were crucial at Kiltipper Road on Saturday evening, when Na Fianna recorded a much-needed win over Thomas Davis in Division One of the Adult Football League.

Excellent form to date had placed Davis’ at the summit of the table heading into this encounter, but even though their influential attacking duo of Paul Hudson and Shane McGrath finished with a combined haul of 1-9, they ultimately came up just short against the St Mobhi Road outfit.

Na Fianna had just one win under their belt prior to this game – a 1-17 to 1-11 victory over Lucan Sarsfields on April 1st – and were aiming to recover from a midweek home defeat to St Jude’s. Thomas Davis claimed a convincing triumph at the expense of Lucan last Wednesday, and they opened the scoring in humid conditions with a point from centre-forward Chris Galvin.

O’Reilly (a key member of this year’s successful Dublin U21 side) and midfielder Carl O’Connor subsequently split the posts for the visitors, before Davis replied with the first goal of the contest.

With just eight minutes gone on the clock, full-forward Ciaran Farrelly gathered a long delivery, and swiftly picked out his inside partner, Hudson, with a precise hand pass. This left Hudson one-on-one with Eoin Connolly, and he coolly fired beyond the reach of the opposition netminder.

This was a major boost for the top-flight pace-setters, but after excellent approach work from Joey Boland set-up a second O’Reilly score, Na Fianna registered a three-pointer of their own. A looping ball bounced into the path of raiding half-forward Odhran O Maoileidigh, and he palmed home from close-range to give the northsiders a two-point advantage.

Davis’ responded to this potential hammer blow with a a 0-2 salvo by McGrath, but Na Fianna once again created daylight between themselves and the home team. Former dual county star Brady was securing primary possession on the edge of the square, and following another excellent O’Reilly point, he finished to the bottom right-hand corner for his side’s second goal of the half.

The increasingly-prominent McGrath later reduced the gap, only for a similar effort from Alistair Fitzgerald at the other end of the field to ultimately offer Na Fianna a 2-5 to 1-4 interval buffer.

Yet, there was still reason for the five-time county champions to be wary of the challenge posed by Thomas Davis – who introduced three substitutes in the course of the first-half. Eoin Kirby also entered the fray at the beginning of the second period, and immediately turned provider for a 31st-minute Cian Murphy point.

McGrath (who featured for Clare on their journey to the 2016 All-Ireland quarter-finals) narrowed the deficit with another score from the right-wing just three minutes later, but although they kept the scoreboard ticking at a steady rate, Na Fianna maintained their own attacking threat.

The defensive trio of Boland, Niall McGovern and Senan Coughlan all added their names to the scoresheet, and while McGrath, Farrelly and Hudson (two) were also on target for Davis’, a third Na Fianna goal looked like placing the tie beyond doubt 13 minutes from time.

After the superb O’Reilly raised a white flag with the outside of his boot, Brady completed a strong break with a composed strike to the Davis’ net. Swapped scores between McGrath and Brady meant that Na Fianna remained six points in front heading into the final 10 minutes of normal time, but they were kept on their toes by a late flourish from their opponents.

Four points in succession courtesy of Kirby, Hudson, Farrelly and Ryan Deegan helped Davis’ to build momentum, until Darragh McHugh restored order for Na Fianna deep into second-half stoppage-time.

With an additional six minutes played, there was enough time for marauding Davis wing-back Murphy to grab his second point of the day, but it was Adam Caffrey (who spent large spells as a sweeper at the heart of the Na Fianna defence) who had the final say with a successful free from all 50 metres.

This lifts Na Fianna’s spirits ahead of their home tie against St Vincent’s on Wednesday week, whereas Thomas Davis will face another tough test away to an in-form St Brigid’s on the same evening.

Scorers – Na Fianna: Tomas Brady 2-1, Glen O’Reilly 0-5, Odhran O Maoileidigh 1-0, Adam Caffrey (f), Niall McGovern, Senan Coughlan, Joey Boland, Carl O’Connor, Alistair Fitzgerald, Darragh McHugh 0-1 each. Thomas Davis: Paul Hudson 1-3, Shane McGrath 0-6, Cian Murphy, Ciaran Farrelly 0-2 each, Ryan Deegan, Chris Galvin, Eoin Kirby 0-1 each.

NA FIANNA: Eoin Connolly; Niall Cooper, Niall McGovern, Senan Coughlan; Joey Boland, John Kelly, Jimmy Higgins; Carl O’Connor, Gus Farrell; Odhran O Maoileidigh, Michael Deegan, Glen O’Reilly; Adam Caffrey, Alistair Fitzgerald, Tomas Brady. Subs: JJ Martin for Fitzgerald (40), Killian Deeley for O Maoileidigh (47), T Foran for Farrell (52), Eoin Neville for Deegan (60), Darragh McHugh for Boland (62), Fitzgerald for O’Reilly (63).

THOMAS DAVIS: Sean Blanchfield; Adam Fallon, Gavin Carruth, Conor Molloy; Daire Kerr, Rory Gleeson, Cian Murphy; Ryan Deegan, Oisin Kelly; Shane McGrath, Chris Galvin, Daithi Ryan; Joey O’Reilly, Ciaran Farrelly, Paul Hudson. Subs: Eanna O’Toole for O’Reilly (12), Lawrence Healy for Gleeson (22), Aaron Shorten for Kerr (30), Eoin Kirby for Ryan (h-t), Peter Boland for Molloy (44).

Referee: Tony Lambe (St Vincent’s).

Written by Daire Walsh

AFL1 ROUNDUP – 14TH JUNE

ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP: JUNE 14

St Jude’s maintained the pressure on Division One league leaders Thomas Davis last night, after they recorded an impressive 0-18 to 0-12 victory against Na Fianna at St Mobhi Road in the Adult Football League.

The Wellington Lane outfit had three wins on the bounce heading into yesterday’s game, but despite making a positive start to the action, they trailed 0-6 to 0-8 during the interval. However, thanks to strong scoring returns from Niall Coakley (0-7), Declan Donnelly (0-3) and Collie Murphy (0-2), they eventually saw off the challenge of their northside counterparts.

Jude’s now sit just one point adrift of Thomas Davis in second place (with a game in hand), but following an outstanding 2-19 to 1-9 success at the expense of Lucan Sarsfields in 12th Lock, the Tallaght men continue to be one of the form teams in the top-flight.

Elsewhere, Skerries Harps recorded their third consecutive draw at Silver Park against Kilmacud Crokes – with Stephen Smith, Harry Dawson and Colin Daly all in fine form. They finished with a combined tally of 0-13, but with Mark Vaughan helping himself to a personal haul of 1-6 (0-5 from placed balls), the sides were ultimately inseparable (1-13 to 0-16).

It was also a tight contest at Rush between St Maur’s and Castleknock, where Chris Carthy was once again excellent for the home side. However, with Limerick footballer Seamus O’Carroll recording a 0-3 salvo, and the likes of Kevin Kindlon and Graham Hannigan also chipping in with crucial scores, Castleknock finished with two points to spare (0-9 to 0-7).

St Vincent’s suffered recent back-to-back defeats to Maur’s and Lucan, but with Tomas Quinn kicking a grand total of 1-8, they secured a 2-19 to 3-13 win at the expense of Cuala in Hyde Park.

Cuala are still searching for their opening points of the campaign along with Clontarf – who were on the receiving end of a 1-14 to 0-8 reversal against Ballyboden St Enda’s at Sancta Maria.

By Daire Walsh

AFL 1: GAME OF THE WEEK – BALLYMUN KICKHAMS V ST. BRIGIDS

ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: 1-20

ST BRIGID’S: 3-12

A 57th-minute goal from Paddy Small was decisive at TCD Santry Avenue on Wednesday night, when Ballymun Kickhams narrowly saw off the challenge of St Brigid’s in a tightly-contested Adult Football League Division One encounter.

Quickfire three-pointers by Kevin Callaghan and Daire Plunkett had placed Brigid’s in the ascendancy during the second-half, but courtesy of Small’s late intervention, it was Ballymun who ultimately secured their fourth win of the league campaign.

This was a well-timed meeting between the two teams, as they were drawn against each other in the Dublin Senior Football Championship quarter-final the previous evening.

Although both sides were short of their inter-county stars, it nevertheless added extra spice to this game, which was played on Trinity College’s northside sports complex. After a couple of early misses, Ted Furman settled Ballymun with a successful ninth-minute free, and he added a brace of scores to give the hosts a three-point cushion heading towards the first-quarter mark.

Brigid’s eventually responded with a well-worked effort by Monaghan native Darren Freeman, but with Jason Whelan and Paddy Small finding the target from subsequent attacks, Ballymun were threatening to create serious daylight over their opponents.

Indeed, despite conceding a point to Alan Daly, Ballymun increased their lead with additional contributions from Furman (free) and Liam O’Donovan. Brigid’s kept in touch through Freeman and ex-Dublin hurler Plunkett, and even though O’Donovan, Small and Whelan split the posts at the opposite end, the Blanchardstown men registered the opening goal of the game on the half-hour.

An incisive attacking move ended with Ryan palming to the net from close-range, but with six minutes of stoppage-time to follow, Ballymun sensed there would be opportunities for them to reply to this set-back.

Dillon Keating and Small were part of the same minor team in Ballymun, and their back-to-back scores ensured that their side brought a 0-12 to 1-4 lead into the break. Brigid’s had come into this game hoping to record their fourth consecutive win in the competition, but their goalkeeper – Eoin Lysaght – came to their aid with an excellent stop from Ballymun’s Karl Keely just after the restart.

This may have left Brigid’s with too much ground to make up, and Ryan’s 34th-minute point was a much-needed one from their point of view. The reliable Furman would cancel out this strike with his opening point from play, while a 0-2 salvo by Freeman preceded similar efforts by Small and Eoin O’Neill.

Yet, Brigid’s grew in confidence as the half wore on, with the impressive attacking duo of Ryan and Freeman taking the game to their Pairc Ciceam rivals. The introduction of Niall Davey and Kevin Callaghan also provided fresh impetus to their play, and the latter was on hand to shoot beyond the reach of Sean Currie at the end of a sharp counter-attack.

Ballymun’s advantage had now been wiped out, and with just 11 minutes remaining in the contest, a third goal by Plunkett allowed them to hit the front for the very first time. The home team were suddenly in a position where they had to chase the game, but unanswered scores from O’Donovan and Furman were the tonic they required heading into the closing moments.

Ballymun remained behind following swapped frees between Freeman and Furman, but just when Brigid’s looked like they might hold out for another top-flight success, Ballymun produced the score that decided the outcome of the tie.

Small’s low shot from a right-hand angle was too strong for Lysaght, and after a Callaghan point brought the gap back to the bare minimum, Hulton added the final score of a high-scoring affair deep into injury-time.

This result keeps Ballymun in the mix ahead of their away meeting with St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh on Saturday, and St Brigid’s will aim to bounce back against St Jude’s at Tymon North on the same day.

Scorers – Ballymun Kickhams: Ted Furman 0-7 (6f), Paddy Small 1-4 (0-3f), Liam O’Donovan 0-3, Jason Whelan, Colm Hulton 0-2 each, Dillon Keating, Eoin O’Neill 0-1 each. St Brigid’s: Darren Freeman 0-7 (3f), Philip Ryan 1-2, Daire Plunkett, Kevin Callaghan 1-1 each, Alan Daly 0-1.

BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: Sean Currie; Collie Moore, Eoin Dolan, Karl Connolly; Davy Bolger, Alan Hubbard, James Burke; Jason Whelan, Karl Keely; Liam O’Donovan, Colm Hulton, Dillon Keating; Paddy Small, Ted Furman, Eoin O’Neill. Subs: Leon Young for Hubbard (6), Alan George for Hulton (50), Hulton for Whelan (56).

ST BRIGID’S: Eoin Lysaght; Sean Egan, Alan McCarrick, Jack Mullins; Malachy Tighe, Gavin Kane, Alan Daly; Sean Murray, Cian Mullins; Daire Plunkett, Mark Cahill, Cathal Doyle; Philip Ryan, Darren Freeman, Niall O’Dea. Subs: Niall Davey for Murray (41), Kevin Callaghan for Doyle (42), Adam Keating for O’Dea (49), Collie Carr for J Mullins (61).

Referee: David O’Connor (Naomh Mearnog).

By Daire Walsh