Round-Up of Go-Ahead Ireland AFL3 & AFL4 action

Image Courtesy Matthew Burke

Ballyboughal kept their slim promotion chances alive when powering past Trinity Gaels by 6-15 to 0-6 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football League Division 3 encounter in Ballyboughal on Friday night. 

The North County side still require a number of results to go their way as they look to make a quick return to AFL2 but they made sure they kept up their own side of the bargain with an emphatic victory. 

The hosts looked lively in attack throughout with Cian Casey (1-4), Cian Warren (1-3), Ciaran Wynne (1-3) and Cian Downey (1-1) helping build an unassailable lead. 

Their combined threat was largely down to the dominance provided at midfield by Jack O’Brien and Richie Downey (1-0) while their defence remained frugal over the hour through the excellent individual displays of Willie Cooney, Darren Freeman, Will Rafter and John Rodgers, with the latter chipping in with 1-3. 

‘Boughal remain outsiders to join St Maur’s and Clanna Gael Fontenoy in Division 2 next year with Round Towers Clondalkin in poll position as they require a win in their final game against Erin’s Isle to secure promotion. 

At the opposite end of the table, it proved a disappointing end to the league for St Patrick’s Palmerstown as their relegation was confirmed following their loss to St Maur’s on Saturday morning.  

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL3: St Anne’s 2-18 Clann Mhuire 2-12; Ballyboughal 6-15 Trinity Gaels 0-6; Cuala 1-18 St Margaret’s 4-18; Round Towers Clondalkin v Erin’s Isle OFF; Ballymun Kickhams 1-12 Ballyboden St Enda’s 4-19; St Maur’s 5-16 St Patrick’s Palmerstown 0-7; Clanna Gael Fontenoy 2-15 St Finian’s Swords 1-11; Clontarf 0-16 Thomas Davis 0-11.

The final promotion spots in Division 4 of the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football Leage were confirmed on Saturday morning with St Sylvester’s and O’Dwyer’s joining Castleknock in AFL3 for 2026.  

In Somerton Park, goals proved pivotal for Syls as they defeated league winners Castleknock by 3-9 to 0-12. 

The sides were deadlocked at the break with the influential Cian Whittney netting for the visitors while full-back Darragh Flynn and centre-back Josh Moore impressed in the central defensive positions. 

The introduction of substitute Sam Robinson brought added impetus to the away challenge and his goal, augmented by another from Luke Troy, saw the Malahide outfit secure the precious win. 

Matters were tighter in Páirc Naomh Uinsionn as O’Dwyer’s recovered from a seven-point interval deficit to draw 1-11 apiece with St Vincent’s. 

The visitors conceded 1-1 in the opening two minutes as they trailed by 1-7 to 0-3 at the break but with Cian Carroll leading the comeback with a second-half goal, they claimed a share of the spoils thanks to seven Cathal O’Rourke points and further scores by Daniel Doherty and Lee Fanning.  

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL4: Lucan Sarsfields 1-8 St Jude’s 2-17; Geraldine P. Moran v Fingal Ravens OFF; St Peregrine’s 7-11 St Finian’s Newcastle 1-11; O’Toole’s 2-19 Ballinteer St John’s 2-7; St Sylvester’s 3-9 Castleknock 0-12; Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels w/o Kilmacud Crokes scr; Man O’War 3-17 Garristown 0-13; St Vincent’s 1-11 O’Dwyer’s 1-11.