Round-Up: AFL3 & AFL4 May 9th

We reached the half-way point in Division 3 of the Dublin Adult Football League over the weekend with Na Fianna leading the way following their ‘top of the table’ 0-17 to 2-9 victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s at Sancta Maria on Saturday afternoon.   

The foundation for their victory lay at the back with goalkeeper Chris Loftus making some vital saves and he received strong protection throughout from the likes of Harry Bryce and Eoin Killarney. 

Cian Grew kept the away scoreboard ticking over in the first-half as Na Fianna ground out the vital win courtesy of second-half two-pointers by Jack Kearney, Daniel Day, Ben O’Connell and Mark O’Dea. 

That win keeps the Glasnevin outfit a point clear of the chasing pack with Ballyboughal, St Margaret’s and Pobal Parnell all locked in second place following their home wins over Cuala, O’Dwyer’s and Naomh Fionnbarra respectively. 

At the opposite end of the table, Castleknock enjoyed a morale-boosting 1-19 to 1-13 win against Trinity Gaels in Drumnigh. 

The hosts started brightly with the help of the wind but a crucial goal at the end of the first quarter from Sam Ryan offered hope to ‘Knock. 

The visitors resumed on the front foot with leading roles played by Graham Hannigan and Martin Brady as they finished strongly to prevail by six points. 

AFL3 RESULTS: Ballyboughal 1-17 Cuala 0-10; St Anne’s 4-15 Clontarf 0-9; St Sylvester’s 4-5 Round Towers Clondalkin 1-11; Pobal Parnell 2-15 Naomh Fionnbarra 2-10; Trinity Gaels 1-13Castleknock 1-19; Thomas Davis scr. Clann Mhuire w/o; Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-9 Na Fianna 0-17; St Margaret’s 3-25 O’Dwyer’s 1-12. 

In AFL4, Ballinteer St John’s completed their second success in four days as they overcame Fingal Ravens by 3-13 to 1-12 in Marley Park. 

The hosts played with the benefit of the breeze in the first-half and took full advantage with two Adam Bates goals and another by Billy McDonnell building a healthy 3-8 to 0-5 interval lead. 

Despite being placed under greater pressure after the break, St John’s were full value for their win with Charlie Reynolds excelling from wing-back with two points while Donal Doherty, Diarmuid Kennedy, Darcy Thomas (0-2) and Oscar Cronin all enjoyed influential displays. 

There was another home win at Blunden Drive as Ryan Murphy’s penalty save proved pivotal as O’Toole’s edged St Finian’s Swords by 1-18 to 2-13. 

Scott Walker and Cathal Keane provided the bulk of the home scores with the latter raising their sole green flag as the Larriers held on thanks to strong performances by Hayden McDonnell, Danny O’Loughlin, Jordan Dunne and Jamie Murphy. 

In Garristown, a dominant first-half display saw St Patrick’s Palmerstown see off the hosts by 2-15 to 1-15. 

Alan Griffin was in inspired form for the visitors with his quartet of two-pointers helping his side into a 1-13 to 0-3 interval lead, with James Dunphy netting for St Pat’s. 

The hosts kicked six unanswered points early in the second-half but Dunphy’s second goal stalled their momentum and Luke McGovern added a crucial point late to ensure his team’s victory.  

AFL4 RESULTS: St Peregrine’s 5-11 St Jude’s 0-23; O’Toole’s 1-18 St Finian’s Swords 2-13; Whitehall Colmcille 0-12 Man O’War 1-20; Craobh Chiaráin 2-11 Geraldine P. Morans 3-15; Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 1-12 St Patrick’s Donabate 6-13; Garristown 1-15 St Patrick’s Palmerstown 2-15; Ballinteer St John’s 3-13 Fingal Ravens 1-12; St Vincent’s 0-16 Ballymun Kickhams 3-11.