Sylvester’s keep up the chase
DUBLIN MFL1 ROUND-UP
Daire Walsh
ST SYLVESTER’S moved to within two points of the Minor Football League Division One summit with a convincing 2-19 to 0-6 win over Na Fianna at St Mobhi Road last Wednesday evening.
While Lucan Sarsfields and Castleknock remain out in front courtesy of the seven wins they have accumulated to date, tension is expected to build for the remaining two rounds of fixtures on July 21 and 24 respectively. Following a narrow defeat to Lucan on June 23, Syls returned to winning ways at home to Skerries Harps a week later.
This placed them in high spirits on their return to competitive fare and thanks to the supreme accuracy of Sean Guiden (son of former Dublin footballer Niall), they moved six points in front on the stroke of 15 minutes. Guiden finished the contest with an outstanding haul of 1-12 – which included frees, ’65’s, a penalty and a superb point from the sideline.
He also made his presence felt in opening play, combining to great effect with Sean Murphy and Darragh McLoughney throughout the course of the contest. The Malahide men also enjoyed scoring contributions via Jack Boyne, Nathan Geraghty, Kieran O’Donnell and midfielder Sean Gibson.
Na Fianna struggled to tie down the Syls attack and with the visitors dipping into their reserve options, they continued to prosper. Tom Bennett, Alex Smith and Ciaran McLoughney were assured in defence on the night, but the Broomfield outfit will quickly switch their attention to Sunday morning’s showdown with Kilmacud Crokes.
Eager for a response to their recent reversal at the hands of Ballinteer St John’s, Lucan comfortably dispatched the challenge of Skerries Harps at 12th Lock (2-22 to 1-7). It was a much closer affair at St Anne’s Park, though Castleknock ultimately squeezed past Clontarf on a final scoreline of 2-12 to 0-15.
Ballyboden St Enda’s are also breathing down the necks of the top-two as they recorded a commanding 4-18 to 1-16 success against St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh at Pairc Ui Murchu. They currently lie in third-place – a single point adrift of Lucan and Castleknock.
Elsewhere, Ballinteer continued their impressive form with a seven-point triumph (2-10 to 1-6) over St Vincent’s at Marley Park. On Thursday night at Silver Park, Kilmacud were 5-22 to 0-8 winners against Thomas Davis.