Round Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AFL 1 & AFL 2

Clontarf withstood some concerted late pressure to narrowly get the better of Na Fianna by 0-17 to 1-13 in Division 1 of the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football League on Tuesday night. 

It was an important win for the hosts following their narrow loss to league leaders St Patrick’s Donabate ten days previously and they dominated early in terms of possession but failed to translate that control into scores. 

However, Luke O’Boyle and Kieran McKeon added points as the half evolved with a superb Eoin O’Dea score at the opposite end limiting Clontarf’s lead to 0-7 to 0-6 by the break. 

With Ben Kelly to the fore, the hosts resumed on the front foot with two-pointed scores by Nathan Doran and Sean Horkan helping build a sizeable lead. 

The visitors clawed their way back gradually with Sean Caffrey netting and David Lacey impressing with points from open play but the defending of Calum Aherne, Liam Howley, Alex Byrne and Matthew McMahon saw ‘Tarf home by the slimmest of margins. 

In Tymon Park, Ballinteer St John’s impressed from the outset on their way to a comfortable 3-15 to 2-9 victory over St Jude’s. 

Jack Lundy sparkled for the visitors in the opening quarter as he kicked six points and while St Jude’s replied through a penalty from Liam Connerton, Ballinteer finished the half strongly through goals by Donnacha Carey and Liam Fenton to lead by 2-9 to 1-4 at half-time. 

Their dominance resumed upon the restart through points from Glenn Whelan, Luke Breathnach and Johnny Quirke and a quickfire 1-1 by Luke Cullen effectively settled the issue by the three-quarter mark. 

The hosts managed a consolation goal through Stephen Coen but late points from Whelan and Lundy eased St John’s home with nine points to spare. 

Elsewhere, St Pat’s, Ballyboden St Enda’s and Kilmacud Crokes all preserved their title hopes with wins against Lucan Sarsfields, Thomas Davis and St Mary’s Saggart.    

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL1: Lucan Sarsfields 0-14 St Pat’s Donabate 0-18; Cuala 3-12 St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 4-9; Thomas Davis 2-20 Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-23; Fingal Ravens 0-16 Ballymun Kickhams 1-14; Kilmacud Crokes 0-21 St Mary’s Saggart 1-6; Castleknock 0-17 St Sylvester’s 0-10; Clontarf 0-17 Na Fianna 1-13; St Jude’s 2-9 Ballinteer St John’s 3-15.

In Go-Ahead Ireland AFL2, Templeogue Synge Street registered a more than welcome win as they defeated Naomh Barróg by 3-10 to 1-8 in Dolphin Park. 

In tricky conditions, the hosts trailed by a point at the break but goals from Scott McConnell, James McCormack and Sean McCormack helped turn the tide in their favour in the second-half. 

Alex O’Toole impressed at the back for Synger, who were deserving winners thanks to the tireless efforts of Niall Scully and Eoin Scully. 

There was another home win in St Anne’s Park as Raheny got their promotion push back on track when defeating Round Towers Lusk by 1-19 to 2-8. 

Brian Fenton led the way for the hosts with a dominant display at centrefield alongside Alan McLoughlin, with Fenton’s tally of 1-3 all coming in the first-half. 

Raheny led by 1-12 to 1-5 at half-time with Sean Grenham (0-6) and Darren Lunney (0-4) making notable scoring contributions over the hour and they made sure of the win thanks to two points in quick succession by substitute Killian McGuirk. 

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL2: Na Fianna 2-7 Skerries Harps 1-19; Templeogue Synge Street 3-10 Naomh Barróg 1-8; Fingallains 2-8 St Vincent’s 2-10; Naomh Fionnbarra 2-9 Scoil Uí Chonaill 1-13; Naomh Mearnóg 1-19 Naomh Olaf 1-9; Kilmacud Crokes 1-9 St Brigid’s 3-10; Raheny 1-19 Round Towers Lusk 2-8; Pobal Parnell 0-14 Whitehall Colmcille 3-18.