Round-Up:AHL3 & AHL4 May 16th

We reached the midway point in Division 3 of the Dublin Adult Hurling League with Round Towers Clondalkin continuing to compete at the upper end of the table following their thrilling 3-18 to 1-23 win over St Vincent’s at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn on Saturday evening. 

With leaders Cuala drawing against Crumlin, Towers closed the gap at the top to a solitary point with Craig Doherty striking the winning score at the death. 

The hosts started brightly to lead by six points and while an Alex O’Neill goal and points by Doherty trimmed the away deficit, they still faced an uphill task for the second-half. 

That Towers overcame their arrears was down to some excellent defensive play from goalkeeper Eoghan Young, who received valuable support at the back from the likes of Liam Redmond, Gary Quinlivan and Rory Broderick. 

However, it was O’Neill that was crucial to Clondalkin’s comeback, driving his team on throughout and his inspirational points and goals from Adam Doyle and Senan Walsh saw them draw level before Doherty’s decisive late intervention. 

Towers are joined in joint second spot by a Lucan Sarsfields side that scored goals at crucial times in their 5-21 to 1-22 victory over Whitehall Colmcille at the 12th Lock. 

The foundation for their win came through the impressive defensive efforts of Paul Rigney, Anto McNulty, Paddy Ryan and Cathal Doody. 

At the opposite end of the field, full-forward Charlie Mulqueen proved a handful for the Whitehall rearguard, adding 1-3 over the hour while substitutes Michael O’Brien and Kaygan Cooney ensured Lucan finished on the front foot. 

AHL3 RESULTS: Lucan Sarsfields 5-21 Whitehall Colmcille 1-22; Setanta 4-15 Bray Emmets 4-18; St Vincent’s 1-23 Round Towers Clondalkin 3-18; Crumlin 2-21 Cuala 1-24; Naomh Fionnbarra3-18 Kilmacud Crokes (2) 4-15; Kilmacud Crokes (1) 3-16 Scoil Uí Chonaill 5-19. 

In AHL4, Raheny recorded their first league win of the season as they overcame Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels by 3-19 to 2-12 in St Anne’s Park. 

The hosts shone from the outset, with Eoghan Baldwin setting the tone with an influential showing at midfield while Dan Coakley was also to the fore in what was his first full game at this level. 

Eoghan Carroll top scored with 2-6, including five points from frees and Raheny built up an unassailable tally thanks to further contributions by Coakley (1-2), Fergie Smyth (0-4) and Ger Coady (0-3). 

David Henry, Baldwin and Mossy Keogh also chipped in with scores while goalkeeper Mitchell Carroll excelled between the sticks in addition to saving a Gaels penalty. 

At Blakestown Road, Clanna Gael Fontenoy picked up their second win of the week as they overcame St Peregrine’s by 2-15 to 0-15. 

The visitors were boosted by a superb Aidan Duffy goal in the first-half while their work rate was typified by the efforts of Aonghus Kane at centre-forward.

Keeping a clean sheet was central to their success with full-back Brian Barron and wing-back Alan Culligan to the fore as they visitors moved into joint third spot in the table. 

Na Fianna continue to lead the way as their perfect record remains intact following their comfortable 2-23 to 1-5 away win against Ballyboden St Enda’s with O’Toole’s in their slipstream as they eased past Lucan Sarsfields by 1-30 to 0-15. 

AHL4 RESULTS: Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-5 Na Fianna 2-23; O’Toole’s 1-30 Lucan Sarsfields 0-15; Kevins 1-12 Castleknock 0-14; Skerries Harps 8-17 St Jude’s 1-11; Raheny 3-19 Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 2-12; St Peregrine’s 0-15 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 2-15.