Round-Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AHL3 & AHL4 April 18th

Setanta secured their first win of the campaign as they pipped Kilmacud Crokes (2) by 2-16 to 3-12 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Hurling League Division 3 encounter at Silver Park on Saturday evening. 

That victory looked unlikely at half-time as the visitors trailed by six points but they remained in the hunt through goals from Gavin Traynor and Sean Lynch while the likes of Lee Richardson and Alex Mulvihill impressed at the back for Setanta. 

The free-taking of Luke Kelly kept their scoreboard ticking over and with Fionntán McGib excelling in the second-half, they sealed the dramatic win as Noel Mullervey found McGib, who spilt the uprights for the match-defining score deep into added time. 

It proved similarly tight at Monastery Road as Round Towers Clondalkin did just enough to see off Kilmacud Crokes (1) by 3-18 to 1-22, moving into second spot in the table in the process. 

The visitors seized control in the early stages but an Eric Finn goal and points by Alex O’Neill, Craig Doherty and Calum Hodgins saw Towers reduce their deficit to two points by half-time. 

The influence of Alex Darbey from midfield saw the hosts resume on the front foot with goals from O’Neill and Finn overtaking their opponents as the contest evolved. 

Kilmacud replied with a goal of their own and placed concerted pressure on the home defence, but Towers held out thanks largely to the solidity of Rory Broderick, Liam Redmond and Donnacha Ó Deasúnaigh in their full-back line. 

There was no such drama on the Clontarf Road as Lucan Sarsfields eased past Scoil Uí Chonaill by 2-20 to 1-12. 

The likes of Paul Rigney, Alex Hickey and Luke Murphy set the foundation with impressive defensive displays while Rob Ward excelled at centrefield, chipping in with 1-4. 

Evin Dowling, Charlie Mulqueen and Gareth Kennedy kept the home defence busy throughout and with Scoil seeking late goals, Cathal Doody denied them with two superb saves.  

GO-AHEAD IRELAND AHL3 RESULTS: Bray Emmets 0-20 St Vincent’s 2-19; Scoil Uí Chonaill 1-12 Lucan Sarsfields 2-20; Whitehall Colmcille 3-23 Crumlin 3-19; Round Towers Clondalkin 3-18 Kilmacud Crokes (1) 1-22; Cuala 2-17 Naomh Fionnbarra 1-11; Kilmacud Crokes (2) 3-12 Setanta 2-16. 

In AHL4, Na Fianna continue to lead the way as they picked up their fourth successive win when overcoming St Jude’s by 3-21 to 5-9 on Saturday afternoon. 

Hot on their heels remain an O’Toole’s team that continue to impress as they proved too strong for Clanna Gael Fontenoy, winning by 3-25 to 1-7 at Blunden Drive. 

Con Rock top scored for the hosts with 1-6 and with both Christy Mulligan and Joe Hoey raising further green flags, they built up an unassailable tally through further scoring returns from Fionn Rock (0-4), Scott Walker (0-5), Ryan Rooney (0-3) and Ciaran Kimmage (0-2). 

At the opposite end of the field, Ciaran Sheehy was more than secure between the sticks with the Larriers controlling matters thanks to strong displays from Shane Finlay, Aaron Cooling, Mulligan and Ciaran Brabazon. 

There was another comfortable home win at Blakestown Road as St Peregrine’s dominated from the outset on their way to a 3-19 to 1-11 victory against Kevins. 

An early Caelum Moriarty goal set the tone for the hosts and his accuracy from placed balls was augmented by points from influential midfielder Senan Stynes, Michael Meehan and Adam O’Connor as they entered the break leading by six points. 

The visitors continued to battle upon the restart but were ultimately undone by the concession of further goals to Mark Sweeney and Isaac Quinlan with Moriarty making the most of the free-taking opportunities that came his way.   

GO-AHEAD IRELAND AHL4 RESULTS: Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-15 Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 2-19; O’Toole’s 3-25 ClannaGael Fontenoy 1-7; Skerries Harps 2-13 Lucan Sarsfields 7-16; Raheny 2-16 Castleknock 2-21; Na Fianna 3-21 St Jude’s 5-9; St Peregrine’s 3-19 Kevins1-11.