Round-Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AFL 3 & AFL 4 April 25th

A strong third-quarter display proved pivotal as Clontarf edged Cuala by 1-13 to 2-8 in their entertaining Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football League Division 3 clash at St Anne’s Park on Saturday evening. 

There was little to separate the teams in a tight first-half that saw home defenders Feo Dodd, Ben Bolger and Matthew Broderick impress while a two-pointer from Cian Mulligan and further points by Charlie Costello, Bolger and John Hanley edged ‘Tarf into a 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead. 

The hosts resumed on the front foot courtesy of 1-1 from Kevin Lillis but Cuala replied with 2-1 in an instant to seize the initiative only for Lillis to level matters with a fine two-pointed score. 

Charlie Costello and Bolger added points in the closing stages as Clontarf held on through some superb defensive play from both Jake Costello and Bolger. 

Across in Ballyboughal, there was a surprise of sorts as Naomh Fionnbarra defeated the league leaders by 0-18 to 1-11. 

Karl Grimes was the scorer-in-chief for the visitors with a personal tally of 0-13 and with Conor Carberry proving a wealth of ball at midfield, Fionnbarra claimed a deserved win thanks to the defensive solidity of goalkeeper Ross Grimes, corner-back Bradley Bailey and full-back Jordan Fitzsimons. 

That loss saw ‘Boughal joined in top spot by a Pobal Parnell side that eased past O’Dwyer’s by 3-23 to 0-8 and Ballyboden St Enda’s, who defeated Castleknock by 1-15 to 0-12.  

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL3 Results: Ballyboughal 1-11 Naomh Fionnbarra 0-18; St Anne’s 0-15 Na Fianna 1-15; St Sylvester’s 2-10 Clann Mhuire 1-14; Pobal Parnell 3-23 O’Dwyer’s 0-8; Trinity Gaels 1-11Round Towers Clondalkin 2-13; Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-15 Castleknock 0-12; Clontarf 1-13Cuala 2-8; St Margaret’s 4-21 Thomas Davis 0-8. 

In AFL4, St Patrick’s Palmerstown continue to impress at the summit of the table following their comfortable 4-14 to 0-8 win against lowly St Vincent’s at Glenauline Park. 

The hosts controlled matters from the outset with an early Cian McGrane goal setting the tone and they continued to dominate through their influential midfield pairing of Adam Lambe and Garbhán Gallagher to lead by 1-8 to 0-4 by half-time. 

Further goals from McGrane and Daragh Garrigan effectively settled the issue and with goalkeeper Brian Gilbert making two superb saves to preserve his clean sheet, St Pat’s eased home through four Alan Griffin points, two apiece from Luke McGovern and James Dunphy while McGrane finished the contest with 3-3 to his name. 

Scorers didn’t come as freely in Rolestown as Fingal Ravens handed Craobh Chiaráin their first loss of the season, winning by 1-7 to 0-7. 

It proved a tale of two penalties as joint captain Joe O’Donnell converted his for the game’s only goal while at the opposite end, Lee Hickey saved a late Craobh penalty to preserve his side’s lead. 

Cathal Kettle kept the home scoreboard ticking over and Barry McCullagh was a hugely influential presence throughout for the winners. 

Garristown are right in the mix at the top end of the table following their entertaining 5-13 to 1-16 home victory against O’Toole’s.  

Colm O’Leary delivered a commanding display at the back for the hosts with the hard-working Ciaran Galvin and Joe Murray rewarded for their efforts with well-taken goals. 

Daire Finn top scored with 2-5 and a brilliant finish by Marc O’Connell into the top corner ensured that Garristown built up a sufficient margin to seal their deserved success. 

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL4 Results: Geraldine P. Morans 2-15 St Finian’s Swords 3-12; St Patrick’s Donabate 1-16 St Peregrine’s 2-8; Garristown 5-13 O’Toole’s 1-16; St Patrick’s Palmerstown 4-14 St Vincent’s0-8; Man O’War 5-18 Ballinteer St John’s 0-10; Ballymun Kickhams 3-21 Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 0-9; Fingal Ravens 1-7 Craobh Chiaráin 0-7; St Jude’s 1-20 Whitehall Colmcille 0-9.