ROUND-UP: Go-Ahead Ireland AHL1 & AHL2 March 28th/29th

St Jude’s picked up their first league win of the season as they defeated Castleknock by 3-15 to 2-12 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Hurling League Division 1 encounter at a blustery Tymon Park on Sunday morning.

The hosts played with the benefit of the breeze in the first-half and were rewarded through a trio of points from play by Joe McManus and a Cathal Martin goal. 

Cian Boyle and Conor Chawke kept the away scoreboard ticking over but the visitors fell 1-9 to 0-5 behind by the break with home goalkeeper Ross O’Reilly converting two long-distance frees. 

A penalty from Boyle narrowed the Castleknock deficit but with Martin finishing with 3-4 to his name, St Jude’s prevailed with experienced trio Danny Sutcliffe, Ger McManus and Ciaran Mangan all excelling, especially against the elements. 

At the opposite end of the table, St Vincent’s recorded their third win on the bounce as they accounted for local rivals Na Fianna by 1-17 to 0-9 at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn on Saturday afternoon. 

The hosts led by 0-9 to 0-6 at the break despite playing against the wind and they made certain of the win thanks to a brilliant solo goal from substitute Stephen McCarry in the final quarter. 

Tom Connolly top scored with 0-6, while Brian Bolger (0-3), Mark Sweeney (0-2) and Stephen Williams (0-2) also made valuable contributions in the scoring stakes. 

There was another home win at Páirc Uí Mhurchú as Ballyboden St Enda’s proved too strong for Naomh Barróg, winning by 5-19 to 1-17. 

The visitors enjoyed a wind-assisted 0-13 to 1-6 interval lead but with Liam Dargan and Jamie Mahon impressing in the home defence and James Roche shining at midfield, Boden pulled away through goals by Niall Ryan, David Keogh, Oisín Byrne, Eoin Behan and Darragh Ormsby.    

GO-AHEAD IRELAND AHL1 RESULTS: St Vincent’s 1-17 Na Fianna 0-9; Ballyboden St Enda’s 5-19 Naomh Barróg 1-17; St Brigid’s 0-15 Craobh Chiaráin 0-13; Cuala 1-16 Lucan Sarsfields 2-19; St Jude’s 3-15 Castleknock 2-12; Faughs 0-14 Kilmacud Crokes 0-15.  

St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh preserved their perfect start in AHL2 as they eased past Ballyboden St Enda’s by 0-25 to 0-9 at Blanchardstown IT on Friday night. 

The league leaders impressed through the defensive efforts of both corner-backs ÉannaBoland and Brian Bergin while Cillian Hayes enjoyed a hugely influential display at centrefield. 

Ger Ryan top scored with ten points, eight of which coming from frees, with four points from Ben McSweeney, a Darragh Bugler brace and a strong showing by Cian O’Connor proving too much for Ballyboden. 

Goals were also marked absent in Kiltipper Road on Sunday morning as Naomh Mearnógregistered their first win of the campaign when edging Thomas Davis by 0-11 to 0-9. 

As the scoreline would suggest, defences were very much on top with James McNamee, Daniel Maddock and Tom Cosgrove excelling for the visitors. 

The four points from play by Charlie Aston proved pivotal for Mearnóg, who held on thanks to a trio of Shane Kavanagh frees and a score by substitute Chris Farrelly. 

Remarkably, there were no green flags raised at Páirc Uí Bhriain either as Clontarf remain unbeaten following their 0-20 to 0-8 win against Naomh Olaf. 

Mikey Devine accounted for half of the away tally from placed balls while Jack Higgins, Sean Kelly and Cillian Hayes also featured prominently for the winners.   

GO-AHEAD IRELAND AHL2 RESULTS: Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-9 St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 0-25; St Sylvester’s 1-16 Ballinteer St John’s 1-16; Erin’s Isle 4-11 Commercials 2-13; Thomas Davis 0-9 Naomh Mearnóg 0-11; Naomh Olaf 0-8 Clontarf 0-20; Raheny 3-18 Fingallians 2-14.