Boden, Templeogue, Anne’s, Mary’s and Towers enjoy winning c’ship starts
By Daire Walsh
BALLYBODEN St Enda’s began their quest to regain the Dublin Senior Football Championship title with a 2-17 to 0-8 Group One triumph over Raheny at Parnell Park on Sunday.
Having secured the top-tier crown with an impressive final victory against Thomas Davis in 2019, ‘Boden were dethroned by Ballymun at the same stage last September.
Thanks in no small part to goals from Warren Egan and Dublin senior panellist Colm Basquel, Anthony Rainbow’s Firhouse Road outfit emerged with an emphatic success in front of the TG4 cameras.
Next up for them is a second round encounter with Whitehall Colmcille – a game they will be expected to win.
The aforementioned Thomas Davis can embark on their next game in Group B against Clontarf with considerable confidence, having pushed champions Ballymun all the way in Parnell Park on Friday evening before eventually falling to a 1-12 to 1-10 reversal.
While Dean Rock came to ‘Mun’s aid with five points as a substitute, a goal from Dublin senior hurler Davy Keogh and a 0-4 haul by Eoin Kirby had Davis’ within sight of a scalp.
Meanwhile, a five-point loss (1-18 to 2-10) at the hands of St Vincent’s on Sunday leaves Ballinteer St John’s with it all to do. Their next game in Group Two is a daunting affair with Kilmacud Crokes, who registered an outstanding 2-18 to 1-12 win over Castleknock on the same day.
Group Four of the SFC is delicately poised after St Jude’s and Lucan Sarsfields played out an entertaining draw (1-14 apiece) at O’Toole Park on Sunday. Jude’s will next face St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh, while their 12th Lock counterparts take on Round Tower Lusk.
In Group Three of the Senior Two Football Championship, Templeogue Synge Street opened their campaign with a 0-15 to 0-9 victory over St Sylvester’s at Dolphin Park on Sunday.
With former Sky Blues star Eoghan O’Gara dovetailing effectively with his brother Killian and Ger Vickery in attack, TSS were able to keep their Malahide counterparts at arm’s length. Max Fitzgerald, Connor Curran and Fintan Dignam excelled on their championship debuts, while Conal Cunningham and Sean McCormack chipped in with some fine scores.
There were also bright starts to the competition for St Anne’s and St Mary’s Saggart, who had respective victories over Ballyboughal (Group One) and Naomh Olaf (Group Four) on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Round Tower Clondalkin enjoyed a successful opening round outing in Group Three of the Intermediate Football Championship, defeating St Patrick’s Palmerstown on a scoreline of 3-23 to 2-12 at Monastery Road on Sunday.
Champions at this grade in 1952, Towers will look to cement top spot when they face St Brendan’s in an away clash on September 25. Following this set-back, Pat’s will aim to revitalise their campaign at home to Garda/Westmanstown Gaels on the same day.