Round-up PTSB Dublin AFL 3 & AFL 4

The race for promotion from Division 3 of the PTSB Dublin Adult Football League remains an intriguing and keenly-contested one as the Top 6 teams all claimed victories over the weekend. 

With leaders St Margaret’s overcoming Clontarf by 1-18 to 1-11, Ballyboden St Enda’s remain in joint second spot following their narrow 2-17 to 4-9 victory against St Sylvester’s in Broomfield. 

The visitors led by 0-9 to 1-5 at the break with Luke Byrne clipping over three of those scores and further points early in the second-half by Paddy Curry, Ciarán Ó Sé, Fionn Keating and Byrne pushed them further clear. 

The concession of goals at regular intervals undermined their control as the contest evolvedbut points from Collie Dunne, Michael McDonald and Byrne kept Boden in the hunt before Curry netted a crucial goal deep into injury time. 

That win leaves Boden a point behind the leaders, level with both St Anne’s and Ballyboughal who picked up vital away wins at Trinity Gaels and Pobal Parnell respectively. 

Na Fianna also remain in the mix as they bounced back well from their midweek defeat to St Margeret’s when easing past Thomas Davis by 5-16 to 0-12 at Kiltipper Road. 

The visitors were rarely troubled as they built up a winning tally thanks to 3-2 from Cian Grew and five Tom Connell points with Daragh Kelly and Eoin Killarney also raising green flags for Na Fianna. 

Both Justin Egan and Peter Smith impressed in the away defence while the likes of Niall Cooper, Eoin Connolly and Jack Lacey provided a wealth of possession around the middle third. 

PTSB AFL3: O’Dwyer’s 1-15 Castleknock 6-11; St Sylvester’s 4-9 Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-17; Pobal Parnell 0-13 Ballyboughal 2-18; Trinity Gaels 2-12 St Anne’s 3-10; Thomas Davis0-12 Na Fianna 5-16; Round Towers Clondalkin w/o Naomh Fionnbarra scr; Clann Mhuire 5-15 Cuala 1-12; St Margaret’s 1-18 Clontarf 1-11. 

In AFL4, Man O’War claimed the league title when getting the better of promotion hopefuls Ballymun Kickhams by 2-15 to 0-13 at Páirc Ciceam. 

The pivotal goals came via the influential Sam Clancy and Dan Moore with Sean Hussey, Clancy and Charlie Dolan all starring as the visitors clamed their twelfth win of the season. 

The hosts continued to battle as they looked to cement third spot in the table but Man O’War were not to be denied with substitute Danann McNally shining off the bench with two excellent points.  

As can often be the case at the business end of the season, walkovers have played a huge part in deciding matters with St Patrick’s Palmerstown’s promotion confirmed following a concession by Fingal Ravens. 

Elsewhere, St Patrick’s Donabate leapfrogged Ballymun into the final promotion spot with one game left for both teams as they scored goals at crucial times when beating St Jude’s by 4-10 to 0-10 in Ballymastone. 

Tadgh McDonald delivered a towering display at midfield for St Pat’s who gradually pulled away from their opponents thanks to goals by Jamie Whelan, Colm Kavanagh, Finn Donovan and Dylan Farrell. 

PTSB AFL4: St Peregrine’s 0-10 Ballinteer St John’s 1-15; Whitehall Colmcille 2-13O’Toole’s 0-9; St Patrick’s Donabate 4-10 St Jude’s 0-10; Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 0-16Craobh Chiaráin 1-12; Garristown 2-23 Geraldine P. Morans 0-10; St Patrick’s Palmerstownw/o Fingal Ravens scr; Ballymun Kickhams 0-13 Man O’War 2-15; St Vincent’s 6-16 St Finian’s Swords 0-8.