Round-Up - PTSB Dublin Intermediate Hurling Championship

St Vincent’s advanced to the final of the PTSB Dublin Intermediate Hurling Championship as they scored goals at crucial times when overcoming Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels by 3-19 to 0-18 in Páirc Naomh Uinsionn on Saturday afternoon. 

The scoreline flattered the hosts to a certain degree and they were indebted to goalkeeper Euan Maguire, who repelled a 50th minute penalty to keep his side in the ascendancy. 

The Vinnies goals arrived through Bobby Peel, John Walsh and Peter McDermott as they did enough to prevail through positive contributions over the hour by Ronan O’Neill, Maguire and David O’Connell. 

Vinnies must wait to find out their final opponent as the remaining semi-final between Round Towers Clondalkin and O’Toole’s was postponed due to a bereavement. 

Away from the promotion battle, Crumlin delivered an exceptional defensive display as they accounted for near neighbours Kevins by 0-16 to 0-10 in their relegation play-off in Drimnagh Castle. 

The visitors could not have wished for a better start as the attacking talents of Kevin Byrne, Lee Coleman and Kevin Elliott saw them race six points clear by the 10th minute. 

However, the hosts gradually found their form to reduce the deficit and Crumlin suffered an injury blow as influential captain Peter Elliott was replaced due to a hamstring issue. 

Conor Murphy’s versatility proved crucial at this time as he was redeployed at wing-back to telling effect as the visitors enjoyed a healthy 0-12 to 0-5 interval lead. 

The scores proved harder to find in the second-half but the defensive efforts of Con Foley and Darragh Fitzgerald, allied to the work rate of Jake Stacey and Philip Kavanagh in midfield proved too much for Kevins by the final whistle. 

Kilmacud Crokes had no such problems in raising green flags as they secured their IHC spot for 2027 when defeating Ballyboden St Enda’s by 6-13 to 0-16 at Silver Park. 

Luke Ward was a lively presence in the first-half for the hosts, who began to put daylight between the teams on the scoreboard thanks to 2-3 from the impressive Aaron O’Toole. 

The hosts remained on the front foot through the industry of Oisin McCann and Conor Hayes around the middle third and their efforts were rewarded in further goals from Ruairí Walsh and Dan Twomey. 

They maintained control of matters through the free-taking of Darren Crowley and with goalkeeper Johnny Meagher producing two excellent saves in addition to scoring two points from distance, Crokes eased home with Eamonn Allen and Daithí Linehan towering presences in defence.  

PTSB IHC semi-finals: Round Towers Clondalkin v O’Toole’s OFF; St Vincent’s 3-19 Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 0-18. 

PTSB IHC relegation play-offs: Kilmacud Crokes 6-13 Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-16; Kevins 0-10 Crumlin 0-16.