Round-Up: AFL1 & AFL2 May 9th

Na Fianna made the short but fruitful journey to Páirc Ciceam as they pipped Ballymun Kickhams by 1-19 to 2-15 in their Dublin Adult Football League Division 1 clash on Saturday evening. 

The hosts started on the front foot with Dean Rock instrumental as they built a nine-point lead, including a brace of two-pointers by the three-time All Star. 

Brian O’Leary was equally influential at the opposite end of the field with seven points from play and with Conor Baxter scoring a crucial goal, Na Fianna claimed local bragging rights through a late free by David Lacey. 

At the 12th Lock, Lucan Sarsfields withstood a spirited St Mary’s Saggart comeback on their way to a 4-16 to 3-12 victory. 

An early Colm Behan goal set the tone for the hosts, who impressed through the efforts of Daire Newcombe, Behan, Rian Doherty and Eoin Seery. 

Doherty top scored with 1-6 as Sarsfields opened up a sizeable lead thanks to further goals from Jamie Smith and Brian O’Sullivan and four Cormac Coffey points. 

Mark Lavin also chipped in with two points for Lucan with goals from Carl Finn, Colin Lawlor and Jamie McCarville, augmented by five points from Shane Buckley proving in vain for the visitors by the final whistle.

Matters were far tighter at Somerton Park as goals in either-half from Cal Doran and Conor O’Brien saw Cuala get the better of Castleknock by 2-10 to 1-9. 

The contest was right in the mix until O’Brien’s goal after the break with late insurance points by Jamie Conroy and Dan O’Sullivan seeing Cuala over the line. 

There was no change at the summit of the table with Ballinteer St John’s edging St Pat’s Donabate by 2-10 to 0-15 while Kilmacud Crokes and Ballyboden St Enda’s share second spot after their home wins against Raheny and Skerries Harps respectively.  

AFL1 RESULTS: Lucan Sarsfields 4-16 St Mary’s Saggart 3-12; St Patrick’s Donabate 0-15 Ballinteer St John’s 2-10; Ballymun Kickhams 2-15 Na Fianna 1-19; Kilmacud Crokes 0-16 Raheny 1-6; St Vincent’s 1-13 Thomas Davis 0-11; Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-15 Skerries Harps 0-14; Castleknock 1-9 Cuala 2-10; St Jude’s 3-12 Clontarf 3-12. 

In AFL2, Fingal Ravens continue to lead the way as they registered their fourth win on the bounce when beating Fingallians by 0-17 to 1-12 at Lawless Park. 

The visitors opened up an early lead through points from Dylan Kettle, Jake Pope and Sam Hannigan but a Graham O’Brien goal reduced the home deficit to 0-9 to 1-4 by the interval. 

Ravens seized control after the break through strong defensive displays by Aaron Lee, Barry Caulfield, Jake Donnelly, Jack Ryan and Callum Monaghan but Fingallians clawed their way back into contention through two-pointers by Cameron Clarke and Oisín Lynch. 

However, with Niall Daly excelling when introduced from the bench, the visitors built up a winning tally thanks to second-half scores by Eric Donohue, Daly, Sean Kinsella, Pope, Brian Gleeson and Hannigan. 

Hot on their heels remain a St Sylvester’s outfit that dug deep when edging Erin’s Isle by 1-14 to 1-12 at Farnham Drive. 

In a tight and tense first-half, a two-pointer by Rory Guiden and a fisted goal from Stephen Cunningham saw Syls enjoy a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead. 

The visitors pushed ahead through further scores from Pierce Donohoe and Ross Keogh but Isles overturned their deficit to lead by 1-10 to 1-9 before Cunnigham restored parity. 

Substitute Aaron McGlynn made a positive impact after the break as the Malahide outfit confirmed their victory through late two-pointers by Dan O’Leary and Guiden. 

At Páirc Ui Bhriain, Rian Kennedy plundered 2-2 as Naomh Mearnóg defeated Naomh Olaf by 2-15 to 2-7. 

Full-forward Jason O’Neill also caught the eye with six points for a Mearnóg side that confirmed their victory thanks to resolute defensive displays from Conor Archer, Noah Reid, Dylan Cronin, Gavin Nangle and Cian Madden.  

AFL2 RESULTS: Scoil Uí Chonaill 2-13 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 2-10; Erin’s Isle 1-12 St Sylvester’s 1-14; Fingallians 1-12 Fingal Ravens 0-17; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 8-13 Round Towers Lusk0-10; Naomh Barróg 3-15 Whitehall Colmcille 2-20; Naomh Olaf 2-7 Naomh Mearnóg 2-15; St Maur’s 1-15 Kilmacud Crokes 3-12; St Brigid’s 3-14 Templeogue Synge Street 0-8.