AHL 1 Roundup - 19th August

AHL Division 1 Round-up - 19th August

Following their respective wins over St Jude’s and Cuala on Saturday evening, Na Fianna and Ballyboden St Enda’s currently lead the way in Division One of the Adult Hurling League.

With the end of the regular season in the top-flight quickly approaching, Cuala, St Brigid’s and Kilmacud Crokes are still in contention, but with just two defeats apiece from 10 games to date, Na Fianna and ‘Boden are the pace-setters in the division at the moment.

‘Boden had defeated Na Fianna with six points to spare at St Mobhi Road in a tense affair on July 22nd, and they were hoping to increase their unbeaten league run to seven games when the All-Ireland champions visited their home patch.

Indeed, thanks to some early points by James Roche, Paul Ryan and James Madden, ‘Boden hit the ground running at Pairc Ui Murchu. Conal Keaney was a commanding presence at centre-forward for the hosts, but with Colum Cronin contributing a 0-3 salvo in the opening half, Cuala remained firmly in contention.

County stars Darragh O’Connell and David Treacy also found the target for the Dalkey men, but courtesy of additional scores from the ever-dependable Ryan, ‘Boden held a slender 0-8 to 0-6 lead during the interval.

The hosts reinforced their superiority after the restart with points from Aidan Mellett and Finn McGarry, before the excellent Cronin claimed a much-needed goal for Cuala. This was a set-back for ‘Boden, but after substitute Collie O’Neill, Ryan, David Curtin and Shane Durkin all found the range, they found themselves back into the driving seat.

With ‘Boden continuing to offer a consistent attacking threat, Cuala were left with a mountain to climb in the final-quarter. Cronin and Treacy fought until the very end for the visitors, but with the help of strong showings from Keaney, Stephen O’Connor and Simon Lambert, Ballyboden eventually recorded a 0-20 to 1-12 victory.

They are now joined on 15 points at the summit of the table by Na Fianna, who bounced back from their loss to ‘Boden with a comprehensive success against St Jude’s at Tymon North. Their Wellington Lane counterparts began the weekend just outside the top-four, but with Padraig Buggy and Sean Murphy in outstanding form, Na Fianna dominated the proceedings throughout.

Colin Currie and AJ Murphy (both former students of Griffith Avenue school Ardscoil Ris) found the net over the course of the hour, as the away side ultimately registered a 3-23 to 0-13 triumph.

The proposed fixture between Naomh Fionnbarra and Crumlin on Saturday in Pope John Paul II Park was postponed because of a bereavement in Fionnbarra, while Kilmacud Crokes will face Craobh Chiarain in Clonshaugh later this evening at 7pm.

By Daire Walsh