GO AHEAD ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP- JULY 10TH
GO AHEAD ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP: JULY 10
By Daire Walsh
Kilmacud Crokes cemented their spot at the summit of the Go Ahead Adult Football League Division One South table with a convincing 2-18 to 1-6 win against Cuala at Silver Park on Saturday.
This represented a fourth victory in succession for the Stillorgan men and, by extension, preserved their 100% success rate in this year’s top-flight. Next up for them is an away trip to Castleknock on July 21 and given their impressive form to date, they will most likely be favourites to prevail from that contest.
At the moment, Crokes are two points clear of second-place Ballyboden St Enda’s in the league standings. While ‘Boden are also unbeaten, two of their four games to date – against Lucan Sarsfields and St Jude’s specifically – have been draws.
They were close to sharing the spoils with Thomas Davis in Pairc Ui Mhurchu at the weekend, but Anthony Rainbow’s side had just enough in reserve to come through.
The experience of Darragh Nelson and Shane Clayton in defence was pivotal for ‘Boden, whilst the midfield duo of Donogh McCabe and Declan O’Mahoney also combined to good effect. Ciaran O’Reilly and former Dublin hurling goalkeeper Conor Dooley occupied the central attacking areas as the Firhouse Road men kept themselves firmly in the reckoning for top spot.
They are set to welcome Kilmacud to their home patch on July 24 for what promises to be a mouthwatering clash.
At Tymon North, St Jude’s produced a strong performance to record a deserved 2-18 to 0-15 win over Castleknock.
Following a gutsy draw against ‘Boden in the same venue three days earlier, the Templeogue outfit went a step further against ‘Knock and consequently moved up to third place in the table. The dynamic full-forward line of Alan Connolly, Niall Coakley and David Mannix led the way for Jude’s, contributing a majestic combined haul of 2-15.
Diarmuid McLoughlin, Pat Spillane and Colm Murphy also chipped in with a point each as Gareth Roche’s charges ran out comfortable winners. Connolly shook the Castleknock net in the early stages of the contest and Jude’s never looked back from there.
Leading 1-13 to 0-6 at the interval, the Wellington Lane men continued to keep their opponents at arm’s length on the resumption. Connolly added a second major to bring his final tally to 2-4, with Coakley (0-6) and Mannix (0-5) also enjoying productive outings in front of the posts.
In 12th Lock, Lucan Sarsfields finally picked up their first victory of the season, finishing with six points to spare (2-14 to 1-11) over Ballinteer St John’s. This win – coupled with the reversals suffered by Castleknock and Cuala – moves Lucan into fifth place on score difference.
In the Go Ahead Adult Football League Division One North, Na Fianna continue to be the team to beat. Thanks to a 3-17 to 1-11 triumph against St Vincent’s at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn on Saturday, the Glasnevin outfit have maximum points from the four games they’ve played thus far.
This puts them three points ahead of Naomh Mearnog and Clontarf, who squared off in Portmarnock on the same day. Courtesy of the scoring prowess of Nathan Doran (0-8) and Maitias McDonncha (0-3) – as well as goals from Kieran McKeown and former inter-county star Jack McCaffrey – ‘Tarf came away with the spoils on a final scoreline of 2-15 to 1-11.
Without a defeat in advance of this tie, Mearnog put it up to the visitors in the early exchanges. Although ‘Tarf had contributions from Rory Clarke and Doran either side of a Shane Kavanagh effort, the hosts rattled the net in the 10th minute.
Shane Bissett Lynch was instrumental in the build-up to this goal and later joined defender Aodan Fee in registering a point. The dynamic duo of McDonncha and Doran were subsequently on target for ‘Tarf, but a Kavanagh free ensured Mearnog were 1-4 to 0-6 in front at the first half water break.
Clontarf were gradually growing into the contest, however, and reached their top form during the second-quarter. Matthew McMahon, Doran and McKeown all raised white flags, before McCaffrey bagged a superb goal after linking up with Andy Foley and Doran.
The latter added a brace of frees to his personal haul as ‘Tarf brought a convincing 1-11 to 1-6 cushion into the interval. Even though Mearnog remained in contention at this juncture, their chances of success effectively evaporated as a consequence of their opponents’ devastating start to the second period.
Squeezed in between McDonncha and Doran efforts, McKeown displayed great composure to secure ‘Tarf’s second major of the proceedings. Doran continued to showcase his unerring accuracy from placed-balls as his side built up an insurmountable 2-15 to 1-8 buffer at the second water break.
Mearnog did fire over three unanswered points in the closing-quarter, but it was a mere consolation in the end.
Completing the action in Division One North was Skerries Harps’ 3-9 to 0-11 home victory against St Brigid’s. Ballymun Kickhams and Naomh Maur were due to face off at Pairc Ciceam, but it will instead be held at a later date.