Round-Up: Go-Ahead Ireland Senior 2 Hurling Championship- Aug 16th

Late points from Jack Keogh and Shane Kavanagh proved telling as Naomh Mearnóg edged Na Fianna by 2-16 to 1-17 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship encounter at Mobhi Road on Saturday evening.  

Having lost their first two games, this victory was a much-needed boost for the Portmarnock outfit with Kavanagh top scoring with 0-7 over the hour.

Goals in either half from Bernard Deay and Aaron Fahy and two points apiece by the tireless Stan Kinnane and Joey Kinnane handed the visitors the initiative but Na Fianna looked to have salvaged a draw as they struck seven points on the bounce in the final quarter.

Crucially, Naomh Mearnóg regained their composure to pull through with goalkeeper Bobby Smith, Rory O’Loughlin, Keogh, Eoin Kelly and Cormac McCarthy all playing key roles in their win.

Elsewhere in Group 2, Faughs preserved their perfect record to date as a Scott McConnell goal helped them pip Thomas Davis by 1-21 to 1-18 at Kiltipper Road.

A trio of away wins was completed in Lawless Park as Castleknock moved into second spot when defeating Fingallians by 3-19 to 0-19.

The ability of Conal Purcell to threaten from deep was a highlight of their victory with the midfielder scoring 2-1 from midfield.

The visitors impressed at the back through goalkeeper Ronan McCann, who saved a second-half penalty, Joe Barker, Paul Bourke and David Bohan while Neil Hogan (1-4) put further distance between the sides when converting a penalty after the break.

Cian Boyle top scored with ten points, half of which came from open play, as Castleknock posted a winning tally through further scores by Rian Buckley, Evan McSharry, Reuben Cahill and Niall O’Callaghan.

In Group 1, there was a change of leadership at the summit of the table with Erin’s Isle leapfrogging Ballyboden St Enda’s following their 2-22 to 2-17 win at Farnham Drive.

There was another home win in Marlay Park as Ballinteer St John’s picked up their second win of the campaign when overcoming near neighbours Kilmacud Crokes by 1-24 to 1-15.

Despite being reduced to fourteen within two minutes of the opening whistle, it was Crokes that enjoyed a marginal 1-8 to 0-8 lead by half-time.

However, a brace of Rob Aherne points early in the second-half helped the hosts to get back on track while goalkeeper Matthew Tully made two superb interventions to keep the contest delicately poised.

St John’s finally breached the away defence as Tom Aherne netted late on and two inspirational points from corner-back Sean Mulligan maintained their momentum until the final whistle.   

There was another local derby in St Anne’s Park with Raheny doing just enough to get the better of Clontarf by 2-18 to 2-14.

Raheny made the perfect start with a goal from Thomas Hurley (1-3) inside thirty seconds with Liam Dunne (1-10) keeping their scoreboard ticking over as the contest evolved.

At the opposite end of the field, the likes of Ryan Coyne, Ciarán Harnett, Ben McHugh and Jack Fagan were particularly resolute in defence and their win was assured as Conor White added a sublime insurance score in injury time. 

SHC2 Group 1: Erin’s Isle 2-22 Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-17; Ballinteer St John’s 1-24 Kilmacud Crokes 1-15; Clontarf 2-14 Raheny 2-18.

SHC2 Group 2: Na Fianna 1-17 Naomh Mearnóg 2-16; Thomas Davis 1-18 Faughs 1-21; Fingallians 0-19 Castleknock 3-19.