Round-Up of the Go-Ahead Ireland Senior 2 Hurling Championship Round 5

Thomas Davis secured their place in the last eight of the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship when overcoming Fingallians by 1-32 to 2-18 in their Group 2 encounter at Kiltipper Road on Saturday evening. 

Adam Waddick set the tone for the hosts with a hugely influential performance from centre-back and he drove forward to pick off a brace of points to add to the Thomas Davis tally. 

Waddick received valuable support in defence from full-back David Horan and goalkeeper Cae Brennan, who made some crucial interventions to keep his side on the front foot. 

Kevin Ward and Sean Reilly shared the scoring honours with 0-8 apiece, with the latter adding some cracking points after the break and with Luke Dempsey chipping in with 1-3, the hosts eased home thanks to four Conor Cronin points and a Davy Keogh brace.  

At the opposite end of the table, Faughs completed their fifth successive victory as they finished strongly to edge Na Fianna by 2-18 to 1-16 at Mobhi Road with Eoghan Brennan finding the net late on for the visitors. 

The remaining fixture went right down to the wire as Castleknock netted in injury time to salvage a 1-16 to 0-19 draw away at Naomh Mearnóg.

The results saw both teams advance to the last eight alongside Faughs and Thomas Davis with Na Fianna and Fingallians having to face a relegation play-off. 

The four qualifying spots from Group 1 were already decided prior to Saturday evening but there was a change of leadership at the top as previously unbeaten Erin’s Isle succumbed to Ballinteer St John’s by 3-18 to 1-16 in Marley Park. 

The hosts started brightly with Tom Aherne’s free-taking getting their scoreboard ticking over and goals from Conor Quinn and Max Caulwell added further momentum to their challenge. 

The visitors faced an uphill challenge from that point, especially with some poor discipline leading to three dismissals, and with Aherne finishing the contest with 0-11 (8f), St John’s put the result beyond doubt through a late Pat Steele goal.    

This result allowed Raheny to overtake Isles at the summit following their 3-15 to 1-14 victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s in St Anne’s Park. 

Despite missing a number of key personnel, the hosts controlled matters for the large part through their dynamic midfield pairing of Ruairí Kelly and Rob McGuirk while Ciarán Harnett produced an impeccable defensive display from full-back. 

Further up the field, Mark Murphy top scored with 1-6 with his goal the highlight of the game as he put the finishing touch to a wonderful move involving both Davy Fogarty and Ben Kennedy. 

The remaining goals were scored by Thomas Hurley (1-3) and Brian Howard (1-1) as Raheny posted a winning tally thanks to further scores by Rob McGuirk, Ben Kennedy, Ryan McGuirk and Kelly. 

The final encounter was a dead-rubber of sorts with both Clontarf and Kilmacud Crokes already destined for a relegation play-off and it was the former that prevailed with a narrow 2-19 to 2-18 win in St Anne’s Park.  

SHC2 Group 1: Ballinteer St John’s 3-18 Erin’s Isle 1-16; Raheny 3-15 Ballyboden St Enda’s1-14; Clontarf 2-19 Kilmacud Crokes 2-18. 

SHC2 Group 2: Thomas Davis 1-32 Fingallians 2-18; Naomh Mearnóg 0-19 Castleknock 1-16; Na Fianna 1-16 Faughs 2-18.