Cuala defeat Thomas Davis and top their group

CUALA 3-19

THOMAS DAVIS 2-12

Niall O’Callaghan, Cal Doran and Cathal O Giollain all rattled the net at O’Toole Park on Saturday as Cuala produced an accomplished display against Thomas Davis to make it three wins from three in Group 3 of the Go-Ahead Ireland Senior 1 Football Championship.

 Already assured of a place in the quarter-finals as a result of previous victories over Raheny and Lucan Sarsfields – who faced off in the group’s other game at Parnell Park on Saturday – the defending Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland senior club champions further underlined their credentials at the Crumlin venue. Thomas Davis did cause problems for the Dalkey men at various junctures in the game, but they ultimately came off second best in this final round affair.

 Lining up without Dublin star Con O’Callaghan for this encounter, Cuala found themselves under some early pressure from their Tallaght counterparts. While their opponents responded to the concession of points to Adam Waddick and Conor Guilfoyle with a successful free from O’Callaghan’s brother Niall, Chris Sallier and Eoin Kirby later found the target to move Davis into a 0-4 to 0-1 buffer with just eight minutes gone on the clock.

 Yet Cuala eventually settled into the contest and found themselves firmly in the driving seat with a powerful scoring burst either side of the first-quarter mark. Following points from wing-forwards Conor Groarke and Tom Magee, the title holders were presented with an ideal opportunity to squeeze in front when they were awarded a penalty on 15 minutes.

 Even though Niall O’Callaghan smashed the crossbar off his resulting spot kick, he was on hand to gather the rebound and finish beyond the reach of opposition netminder Dylan Caffrey. This major was supplemented by unanswered points from the roaming Charlie McMorrow, Groarke and Niall O’Callaghan, before Doran rolled the ball to the net on 24 minutes for Cuala’s second goal of the game.

 Thomas Davis were finding it difficult to rediscover their attacking confidence from the beginning of the game, but after a Guilfoyle point finally got them up and running again, Sallier slotted home a 26th minute penalty to bring the Kiltipper Road outfit back into contention.

 Sallier was also on hand to trade points with Oscar Hussey, but Cuala nonetheless brought a well-earned 2-7 to 1-6 advantage into the second half.

 The county champions were understandably eager to push on when the action resumed and with McMorrow, Jamie Conroy and Doran raising white flags in quick succession, they were well on course for a third successive championship victory in 2025.

 Thomas Davis showcased their qualities with points from David Keogh, Ryan Deegan and substitute Ross Mullarkey (who was later forced off with an injury), but Cuala did likewise courtesy of 0-2 salvos from Jamie Keenan and the increasingly-prominent McMorrow - as well as a single effort by Conroy.

 It looked at this stage like the final outcome was close to being placed beyond doubt, but Thomas Davis did give themselves a potential lifeline when Fionn Murray finished off a breakaway move for a goal on the stroke of 50 minutes.

 Cuala maintained a potent attacking threat throughout the course of the tie, however, and with final-quarter substitute Cathal O Giollain helping himself to an excellent haul of 1-2 from open play to supplement another brace from the outstanding McMorrow, they will enter the last-eight of the Senior 1 championship in the best possible frame of mind.

 Scorers – Cuala: N O’Callaghan (0-1F), C O Giollain 1-2 each, C McMorrow 0-5, C Doran 1-1, J Conroy 0-3, C Groarke 0-2 (1 mark), J Keenan 0-2 (1F), T Magee, O Hussey 0-1 each. Thomas Davis: C Sallier 1-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3F), F Murray 1-0, C Guilfoyle 0-2, R Deegan (F), A Waddick, D Keogh, E Kirby, R Mullarkey, M Nolan 0-1 each.

 Cuala: R Scollard; M Conroy, E O’Callaghan, L Treacy; E Kennedy, C McMorrow, J Fitzsimons; P O Cofaigh Byrne, P Duffy; T Magee, C Doran, C Groarke; O Hussey, N O’Callaghan, J Conroy. Subs: J Keenan for N O’Callaghan (HT), C Mullally for Fitzsimons, Cian O’Callaghan for Hussey (both 38), C O Giollain for Magee (46), C Dunne for Duffy (55).

Thomas Davis: D Caffrey; A Shorten, D Ogbonna, S O’Byrne Braiden; S Kennedy, A Waddick, S Benton; R Deegan, R Fahey; F Lynch, D Keogh, E Kirby; F Murray, C Sallier, C Guilfoyle. Subs: S Farrelly for Lynch, R Mullarkey for Benton (both HT), K Mullarkey for Guilfoyle (37), M Nolan for R Mullarkey (45), K Young Byrne for Waddick (49).

Referee: Kevin McDonnell (St Vincent’s).