:format(auto))
Erin’s Isle made a winning start to their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship campaign as they defeated Clontarf by 0-26 to 1-20 in their Group 1 encounter at Farnham Drive on Saturday evening.
The previous Championship meeting between the sides ended in controversy on a disputed scoreline but there was no denying Isles on this occasion with Mikie Donohoe leading the way in terms of scores with nine points from placed balls.
Fran Carroll proved highly influential for the hosts in addition to scoring two points with goalkeeper Adam Langan and David Lynch also impressing for the winners.
Tadhg Gorman chipped in with three points from play with Graham King, Conor Donohoe and Ollie Gaffney all adding two points apiece.
Elsewhere, Ballyboden St Enda’s made the short and fruitful journey to Marlay Park when overcoming near neighbours Ballinteer St John’s by 2-22 to 2-16.
The contest was deadlocked at 0-11 apiece at half-time but the visitors seized control in the third quarter thanks to goals by Darragh Ormsby and Luke Heneghan.
They pushed clear by eleven points at one stage with goalkeeper Conor O’Donoghue and Kevin Desmond impressing before the hosts replied with two goals of their own in the closing stages to leave matters tighter by the final whistle.
Jonathan O’Driscoll top scored for Ballyboden with eight points and with Ormsby (1-3) and Heneghan (1-2) looking sharp up front, they ensured a derby success through further scores by James Roche (0-4), Shane Kennedy, Daniel Glynn, Kenneth Wigglesworth and Eoghan O’Neill.
The final contest in Group 1 saw Kilmacud Crokes and Raheny share the spoils on a 1-14 to 0-17 scoreline.
In Group 2, Castleknock impressed from the outset on their way to a 1-25 to 2-17 win against Thomas Davis in Kiltipper Road.
The foundation for their victory lay in the influential displays of goalkeeper Ronan McCann, Liam Mulroney at corner-back, Conor Murray at centre-back and midfielder Darragh O’Connell.
Cian Boyle once again proved their scorer-in-chief with his personal tally of 1-13 including eleven frees with lively centre-forward Cian Ó Dúlaing adding a brace of points as the contest evolved.
The Castleknock inside-forward line remained a threat throughout with Neil Hogan and RianBuckley sharing six points while Reuben Cahill also added three points from play for the winners.
There was another away win in Lawless Park as Na Fianna edged Fingallians by 2-15 to 1-15.
Eoin Flaherty won and converted a crucial penalty for the visitors, who built up a winning tally through the scoring exploits of Brian O’Mahony and Aaron Jesson.
Matters were even tighter in Tymon Park as Faughs pipped Naomh Mearnog by 1-14 to 0-15.
Go-Ahead Ireland SHC2 Group 1: Erin’s Isle 0-26 Clontarf 1-20; Ballinteer St John’s 2-16 Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-22; Kilmacud Crokes 1-14 Raheny 0-17.
Go-Ahead Ireland SHC2 Group 2: Thomas Davis 2-17 Castleknock 1-25; Fingallians 1-15 Na Fianna 2-15; Faughs 1-14 Naomh Mearnóg 0-15.