Mary’s too slick for Parnell’s in SFC2 win

Beaten finalists of last year, St Mary's Saggart, opened their Dublin SFC2 Group 4 with a thoroughly deserved 1-15 to 1-6 victory over Parnell's at Parnell Park on Thursday night.

The Saggart/Rathcoole men showed intent from the first whistle and quickly moved into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside 13 minutes with scores from James Timmons (free), Karl Finn and two from the impressive Blaine Kelly.

Mary's looked well organised at the back with Ciarán Dunne emerging from defence in possession on several occasions.

However, Parnell's best move of the game resulted in a brilliantly taken Darragh Joyce goal in the 14th minute following a pacey run by centre-forward John Dignam.

Joyce added two frees to edge the Coolock side in front, 1-2 to 0-4, with a little under ten minutes remaining in the half.

Mary's, though, finished the half in style with two points from Blaine Kelly - one a free and the second a fine score off his left side and just before the break Alex Darcy and Peter Doyle combined to release Ciarán Howard at pace and he set up Timmons for a goal to give his side a four-point advantage, 1-6 to 1-2, at the interval.

Early points on the resumption from Alex Darcy and Peter Doyle moved Mary's further clear.

Mary's looked certain to score a second goal following slick interplay between Rhys Butler, Blaine Kelly and Howard but the wing-forward's effort was parried and scrambled clear by Parnell's.

Fittingly Kelly concluded the scoring on the night to bring his tally to 0-7 (0-3f).

Also in SFC2 Group 4 Fingal Ravens defeated St Peregrine's 2-12 to 0-9 in St Margaret's.

In SFC2 Group 1 a Conor McGuire goal helped St Maur's to a 1-16 to 1-10 win over Round Tower Clondalkin in Balgriffn.

McGuire's goal, a stunning left-footers volley, came in the opening half and they led 1-9 to 0-7 at the break.