Round Up: PTSB Championships IHC

O’Toole’s got their PTSB Dublin Intermediate Hurling Championship campaign off to a winning start as they edged St Vincent’s by 0-27 to 1-22 in their thrilling encounter at Blunden Drive on Saturday evening. 

The hosts struggled for fluency initially but gradually found their bearings as the contest evolved through the efforts of goalkeeper Ciaran Sheehy, Ciaran Gethings, Ciaran Brabazon and Ciaran Kimmage. 

Danny O’Loughlin’s influence around the middle third saw the Larriers gain a decisive edge while Conn Rock was another to feature prominently as he finished the game with thirteen points to his name. 

The introduction of the experienced Andrew Morris and Richie Walker for the second-half was another decisive factor with the latter chipping in with three classy points and with Ryan Rooney and Mikey Farnham also adding a trio of scores, the hosts held on thanks to further points by Luke Fennelly, Sheehy, O’Loughlin and Kimmage.

There was another home success in Monastery Road as Round Towers Clondalkin overcame last year’s JHCA champions Kevins by 3-18 to 0-16. 

The hosts started on the front foot through early points by Craig Doherty, Liam O’Connor and Alex O’Neill and after Eric Finn was fouled inside the square, O’Neill calmly converted the resultant penalty. 

The defensive play of Darren Gilligan, Donnacha Ó Deasúnaigh and Gary Quinlivan kept Towers in control of matters while Alex Darbey and Senan Walsh worked tirelessly to gain the initiative around centrefield. 

Points by Doherty and Darbey extended the home lead with O’Neill, who showed great leadership throughout, adding a third goal to see his side home. 

The only away victory of the night arrived in Ballycullen as Kilmacud Crokes got the better of Ballyboden St Enda’s by 3-16 to 0-18. 

Their bulk of scores arrived through the free-taking of Darren Crowley and Mick Donnelly’s contributions from open play, where he combined well in the inside-forward line with his namesake Cian Donnelly. 

Conan McSweeney shone in the away full-back line with Alan Moynihan, Luke O’Gorman and Finnian Donohoe more than playing their part in Crokes’ seven-point win.         

The final match of the evening was a typically tense and tight derby as Crumlin and Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels shared the spoils on a 0-16 to 1-13 scoreline in O’Toole Park.  

PTSB IHC Round 1: Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-18 Kilmacud Crokes 3-16; O’Toole’s 0-27 St Vincent’s 1-22; Round Towers Clondalkin 3-18 Kevins 0-16; Crumlin 0-16 Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 1-13. 

PTSB IHC Round 2 Fixtures (Saturday, 16th July unless stated): Kevins v Crumlin (Dolphin Park, Thursday, 6.30); Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels v O’Toole’s (Galtymore Road, 6.30); Round Towers Clondalkin v Ballyboden St Enda’s (Monastery Road, 6.30); Kilmacud Crokes v St Vincent’s (Silver Park, 6.30).