GO-AHEAD ADULT HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUNDUP- JUNE 19TH

GO-AHEAD ADULT HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP: JUNE 19

By Daire Walsh

Lucan Sarsfields recovered from a difficult start at 12th Lock on Saturday evening to eventually claim a convincing 5-18 to 2-13 victory against Ballinteer St John’s in Division One South of the Go-Ahead Adult Hurling League.

When the two sides met at the same venue in the 2019 top-flight, it was Ballinteer who emerged triumphant on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-15. The Marley Park men threatened to pull off a similar result in their latest clash as they led 1-4 to 1-3 at the first half water break.

A goal from Eoghan O’Conghaile had kept the hosts in the reckoning and after being afforded an opportunity to realign, Lucan were the dominant force during the second-quarter of the contest. While Ballinteer did rattle the net for a second time, Ciaran Dowling, Charlie Keher and former county hurler Peter Kelly (an All-Star winner in 2013) all raised green flags to give their opponents a commanding 4-7 to 2-7 lead at the interval.

Lucan subsequently carried this momentum into the second half with the full-forward line of Dowling, O’Conghaile and Keher in sparkling form throughout. Between them, they amassed an outstanding tally of 4-9 with Dowling emerging as scorer-in-chief with a personal haul of 1-5 (0-4 from frees).

Their impressive showings were made possible by a number of exceptional displays further back the field from Lucan. Luke Walsh produced a terrific performance at centre half-back and was one of 10 players to get their name on the scoresheet.

Ronan Smith also stood out at midfield on a day when Lucan laid down a marker for the season ahead. O’Conghaile bagged his second goal of the tie after the resumption and they can now embark on their meeting with Cuala at Shanganagh Park on July 3 in high spirits.

Lucan currently find themselves second in Division One South on score difference, just ahead of Ballyboden St Enda’s – who secured a 2-22 to 0-18 win over Cuala at Pairc Uí Mhurchú.

It was a productive weekend for Kilmacud Crokes as they enjoyed a comprehensive 3-19 to 0-13 triumph against Faughs at Silver Park. The margin of this win makes them the early table-toppers in the division and next up for them is a showdown with Ballinteer at Marley Park on Saturday week.

In Division One North, St Vincent’s began their season with an excellent 2-20 to 1-13 success over neighbours Whitehall Colmcille at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn.

Division Two champions in 2019, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic meant Naomh Barrog have had to wait until now for a full shot at top-tier league hurling. They pushed St Brigid’s all the way at Russell Park, before ultimately losing out by two points (0-19 to 2-11).

At St Mobhi Road, Na Fianna triumphed by the same margin against Craobh Chiaráin (1-17 to 1-15).