GO-AHEAD AFL1 ROUND UP

Go-Ahead AFL1 Round Up 

Ballyboden St Enda’s got off to an impressive start under new manager Kenny Naughton at Pairc Ui Murchu on Sunday morning as the Firhouse Road side recorded a convincing 0-18 to 1-9 victory against Naomh Mearnog.

Because of Kilmacud Crokes’ involvement in the All-Ireland club series, ‘Boden’s scheduled opening round clash with the Stillorgan men was postponed until a later date. Their first competitive game of 2022 was due to take place on home soil against defending champions Na Fianna on February 20, but inclement weather ensured all club activity was halted for that particular weekend.

Now under the stewardship of Galway native Naughton – an All-Ireland senior medalist with the Tribesmen in 2001 – ‘Boden were able to call upon an experienced group of players for the visit of the Portmarnock outfit to the southside.

This included Dublin panelist Robbie McDaid, who was one of several inter-county stars that featured in the AFL1’s weekend action in a bid to give them some much-needed game time. Another Sky Blues footballer, Colm Basquel, was one of three players to be introduced from the bench and there was also a spot in the starting 15 for Darragh Nelson – the club’s All-Ireland winning captain in 2016.

Evan Nugent, Michael McDonald and Luke Byrne all made their senior debuts for ‘Boden, but it was the more experienced Warren Egan who got the home team’s first score in the ninth-minute. Shane Carthy was the standout performer for Mearnog – both in terms of general play and score taking – but ‘Boden held a slight edge going in at the interval.

An Egan free and a Donogh McCabe point ensured their side was in the ascendancy and while Mearnog levelled matters when the action resumed, the hosts subsequently pushed forward after the restart. A brace of points from Egan and McDaid – as well as one each for Ciarán O’Reilly and Byrne – put ‘Boden in the driving seat, before Mearnog attempted a mini revival with a quick 1-1 salvo.

This brought the gap down to two points, but this was as close as the visitors came to forcing the issue. The O’Reilly’s – Ciarán and Darren – joined McDaid and Basquel in chipping in with late scores to ensure Ballyboden came away with the maximum points on offer.

Although Egan led the way with a 0-7 haul, he was ably-assisted by McDaid (0-3), the impactful Basquel and the lively Byrne (0-2 each).

While Na Fianna will be hoping to leave a lasting impact on the Dublin Senior One Football Championship later in the year, the defence of their top-tier title will be the priority for the time being. Having overcome St Jude’s in their first game of the campaign, they dug deep to record a 0-13 to 0-9 triumph over Ballymun Kickhams at St Mobhi Road on Sunday.

David Lacey excelled throughout for the victors as his five point haul from open play helped to keep Na Fianna’s close rivals at bay. Dublin footballers past and present – James McCarthy and Philly McMahon – featured for 2019 champions Ballymun, but they couldn’t add to the point picked up at home to Thomas Davis on February 13.

Na Fianna are currently one of three teams on four points at the summit of the table. Cuala’s 2-11 to 2-9 success over St Jude’s at Hyde Park leaves them level on goal difference with Lucan Sarsfields – 0-13 to 1-9 winners against Kilmacud Crokes at Silver Park.

This was Crokes’ first competitive outing since losing out to Kilcoo in the All-Ireland decider last month, but Lucan held firm to claim a second successive victory and they (along with Cuala) are marginally behind Na Fianna in the AFL1 rankings.

Thomas Davis are also in the early reckoning after building on that aforementioned draw with Ballymun by defeating Castleknock 4-16 to 1-10 at Somerton Park. A key figure during the Tallaght club’s march to a Dublin SFC showpiece in 2019, Ryan Deegan delivered a strong performance at midfield for Davis’.

Oisin Kelly, Eamon Conroy, Chris Sallier and Sean Reilly all shook the net to maintain their unbeaten start to Division One.

They are joined on three points by Skerries Harps, who shared the spoils with Clontarf in the opening round and followed it up with a 4-10 to 3-6 home win at the expense of Naomh Maur.

Elsewhere, St Vincent’s had three points to spare (2-9 to 0-12) over neighbours Clontarf at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn. The home side had what looked like a comfortable lead at the break of 2-07 to 0-5 with the goals coming from Sean Lowry and Daniel Elebert but backed by a sizable wind Clontarf rallied in the second half and with driving performances from Andy Foley and Declan Monaghan reduced the gap to two points heading into the final 10 minutes. However, Tomás Quinn scored a free from distance and then followed up with a late point from play to help Vins close out the game and record their first victory of the season.

Ballinteer St John’s also got up and running with a 3-8 to 1-10 triumph against Ballinteer St John’s at Marley Park.