Round Up: PTSB Championships Premier IHC

Saturday evening saw the start of the PTSB Dublin Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with Setanta getting their campaign off to a positive start when overcoming Naomh Fionnbarra by 2-21 to 2-16 in The Bogies. 

After a tough league campaign that saw the Ballymun outfit relegated from AHL3, this victory came as a massive boost to their season with the bulk of their scores coming throughtheir talisman Fionntán McGib and Ryan Clarke in their half-forward line. 

Cian Fallon provided a wealth of possession from midfield and with Lee Richardson a solid presence at full-back as he made numerous clearances, Setanta made certain of the points courtesy of a late goal from Jayden Cremin.    

There was another away success in Shanganagh Park as Naomh Olaf did just enough to edge out Cuala by 3-16 to 2-15. 

There was little to separate the teams throughout with the displays of Conor Regan, Eoin Foley and Sean Bourke keeping the visitors in the hunt initially.

A brace of goals after the break from Conor Hoban proved equally pivotal for an Olaf’s team that raised a third green flag thanks to Ciarán Foley. 

Matters were far more straightforward in Lawless Park as Fingallians got up and running with a comfortable 4-21 to 1-15 victory over Na Fianna. 

The hosts seized control from the first whistle and by the end of the first quarter they had opened up a 3-4 to 0-3 lead with Harry Brogan netting twice while Dublin Under 20 full-forward Aron Gargan scored the other. 

A flurry of points saw Fins lead by 3-11 to 0-7 at the break and with both Gargan and Darragh Power keeping their side on the front foot, they eased home as Brogan completed his hat-trick in the final quarter.   

The final fixture of the night was a repeat of last year’s IHC final and Lucan Sarsfields, who were promoted into AHL3 earlier this year, proved too strong for Scoil Uí Chonaill, winning by 2-19 to 0-13 at Clontarf Road. 

PTSB Premier IHC Round 1: Scoil Uí Chonaill 0-13 Lucan Sarsfields 2-19; Fingallians 4-21Na Fianna 1-15; Naomh Fionnbarra 2-16 Setanta 2-21; Cuala 2-15 Naomh Olaf 3-16. 

PTSB Premier IHC Round 2 Fixtures (Saturday, 18th July): Lucan Sarsfields v Fingallians(12th Lock, 6.30); Setanta v Na Fianna (Club Teach Setanta, 6.30); Naomh Olaf v Scoil Uí Chonaill (Páirc Uí Bhriain, 6.30); Cuala v Naomh Fionnbarra (Shanganagh Park, 6.30).