Go-Ahead Ireland Senior 2 Football Quarter-Finals Round-Up

Precious semi-final spots in the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 2 Football Championship were up for grabs last Saturday afternoon with St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh turning on the style after the break on their way to an ultimately comfortable 2-17 to 3-3 win over Fingallians at the Army Grounds in the Phoenix Park. 

The hosts trailed by 3-2 to 1-6 at the break with goals from Danny Campion, Lewis Nugent Byrne and Killian Murphy proving an insufficient return given the strength of the breeze in Fingallians’ favour. 

Eoin Walshe netted for Plunkett’s in the first-half and the hosts began to take control of matters upon the restart through a Jack O’Shea goal and influential displays by both Sean Bugler and Conor Tyrrell. 

Luke Hughes also caught the eye with seven points over the hour and with Bugler (0-4) and Gareth Smith (0-3) to the fore, they eased home thanks to further scores from Walshe, Tyrrell and Irinel Popa.  

All four home teams tasted victory with Erin’s Isle recovering from a three-point interval deficit before edging St Brigid’s in injury time by 1-8 to 0-10 at Farnham Drive. 

Matters were similarly tight in Skerries as the hosts finished on the front foot to defeat a determined Scoil Uí Chonaill by 0-18 to 0-14. 

The visitors led by 0-6 to 0-2 by the end of the first quarter before Harps finished the half strongly to lead by 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time. 

Andy Bunyan excelled for Scoil throughout as he kicked no less than five two-pointed scores and he also made two point-blank saves to keep his side in contention. 

However, the hosts gradually tightened up at the back through the defensive efforts of Jack Smith and Fionn O’Leary and with both Rob Delaney and Killian McGinnis looking sharp up front, they landed an insurance score through a two-pointed effort from substitute Ciaran Murphy. 

The remaining quarter-final proved a one-sided affair as St Patrick’s Donabate impressed in the first-half on their way to a comfortable 2-18 to 0-10 victory against Clanna Gael Fontenoy at Robbie Farrell Park. 

The hosts raced from the blocks through a Clyde Burke score and two-pointers by Adam Dunne and Seán Walsh before Dylan Knight Sands pounced for the game’s opening goal in the 8th minute. 

Stephen Dempsey added to the home lead as the contest evolved with a Jamie Mullins goal in the 25th minute leaving St Pat’s with a healthy 2-9 to 0-4 interval lead. 

The second-half was a far more even affair but the hosts made sure of their semi-final spot through points from Timmy Govorov, Dunne, Dempsey, Knight Sands and Walsh. 

The relegation play-offs took place as well with Pobal Parnell and St Mary’s Saggart securing their spots in SFC2 next year following wins over Round Towers Clondalkin and Naomh Olaf respectively. 

Jamie McCarville was the hero in Páirc Uí Bhriain as he scored 3-3 with a Blaine Kelly penalty confirming a 4-15 to 0-18 for St Mary’s over Olaf’s.   

SFC2 quarter-finals: St Patrick’s Donabate 2-18 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 0-10; Erin’s Isle 1-8St Brigid’s 0-10; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 2-17 Fingallians 3-3; Skerries Harps 0-18 Scoil Uí Chonaill 0-14. 

SFC2 relegation play-offs: Pobal Parnell 1-17 Round Towers Clondalkin 0-12; Naomh Olaf0-18 St Mary’s Saggart 4-15.