Round-Up AHL 1 & AHL 2 - May 26th

Ballyboden St Enda’s completed their fourth successive victory as they edged Lucan Sarsfields by 1-23 to 0-21 in their Dublin Adult Hurling League Division 1 encounter at Páirc Uí Mhurchú on Tuesday night. 

The win moved Boden to joint top spot alongside Lucan on 12 points, ending Sarsfields’ perfect record in the process with their half-back line of Stephen O’Connor, John McGuire and James Roche central to their victory. 

Darragh Ormsby was their scorer-in-chief and put the finishing touches to a well-worked move to pounce for the game’s solitary goal in the second-half. 

Both Niall Ryan and Eoin Behan were rewarded for their efforts with key scores while Timmy Hammersley added experience and a scoring threat up front when introduced off the bench.

Matters were even tighter at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn as Craobh Chiaráin claimed local bragging rights when edging St Vincent’s by 2-17 to 1-19. 

The match was played at proper derby pace with the visitors indebted to the likes of Kevin Hetherton, Eugene Farrell, Mark Hayes and Matthew Forbes for providing a solid platform at the back. 

The introduction of substitute Justin Kelly after a lengthy injury lay-off added momentum to their challenge and with Eoin Forbes plundering 2-3, Craobh travelled home across the Malahide Road in fine spirits thanks to further scoring contributions by Billy Ryan, Robbie Mahon and Jack Murray. 

Despite missing a number of regulars, St Brigid’s were another team to overcome their near neighbours as they edged Castleknock by 0-22 to 0-20 in Russell Park.

The free-taking of Jonathan McGuirk was a constant source of scores for the hosts while Kieran O’Sullivan added some vital points from play to keep Brigid’s in the hunt. 

Neither side could exert full dominance over the hour despite excellent performances from the hosts by wing-back Sean Crotty, Tom Mohan and Shane Maher and it was their influence and late points from Adam McGuirk and Daniel Hawkshaw that got them over the line.   

AHL1 Results: St Vincent’s 1-19 Craobh Chiaráin 2-17; Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-23 Lucan Sarsfields0-21; St Brigid’s 0-22 Castleknock 0-20; Cuala 3-28 Faughs 2-17; Na Fianna v Naomh Barróg OFF; St Jude’s 1-23 Kilmacud Crokes 3-24. 

In AHL2, St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh bounced back from two successive defeats when getting the better of Clontarf by 1-21 to 2-15 at Martin Savage Park. 

The hosts welcomed back both Jack O’Shea and Ben McSweeney and despite playing against the breeze in the first-half, they enjoyed a narrow 0-10 to 0-7. 

McSweeney availed of a defensive error to net for Plunkett’s after the break and with full-back Tom Cullen and midfielder Cathal O’Flynn impressing, they did enough to prevail courtesy of three points apiece from Darragh Bugler and Cillian Hayes.  

That victory saw them regain joint top spot alongside an Erin’s Isle side that defeated Thomas Davis by 4-19 to 2-14 at Farnham Drive. 

That leaves both clubs a point clear at the summit as Ballyboden St Enda’s picked up their first point of the season when drawing 5-13 to 3-19 against previous leaders Ballinteer St John’s. 

Across in Lawless Park, Fingallians moved towards mid-table security following their impressive 3-17 to 0-15 victory against St Sylvester’s. 

The hosts led by 1-8 to 0-7 at the break with an early goal by Ben Stears augmented by further scores from Mick Roch, Dublin Under 20 full-forward Aron Gargan, Dan King, Harry Brogan and Cianan Markey. 

With Fins crucially keeping a clean sheet with a superb defensive effort, Rock’s goal within four minutes of the restart enhanced their lead and they eased home by the final whistle as Brogan added a third goal in the final quarter.   

AHL 2 Results : St Sylvester’s 0-15 Fingallians 3-17; Erin’s Isle 4-19 Thomas Davis 2-14; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 1-21 Clontarf 2-15; Naomh Olaf 1-16 Commercials 1-21; Ballyboden St Enda’s 5-13 Ballinteer St John’s 3-19; Raheny 0-13 Naomh Mearnóg 0-22.