Round-Up: PTSB Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship- Round 4

Round 4 of the PTSB Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship took place over the weekend, with Cuala completing their fourth successive victory in Group 2 as they eased past Faughs by 3-25 to 0-10 in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The contest was effectively over by half-time as the Dalkey outfit led by 2-14 to 0-3 with goals from Conall O’Toole and Colm Cronin reflecting their dominance all over the field.

The procession towards the Faughs goal continued unabated in the second-half with Conor Groarke (0-6) and Sean Moran excelling throughout and the issue was settled long before substitute Cormac Spain added a third goal ten minutes from time.  

Another team with full points from their quartet of matches are Kilmacud Crokes, who were equally comfortable in brushing Whitehall Colmcille aside on a scoreline of 3-23 to 0-9 in O’Toole Park.

Crokes served early notice of their intent as Finian Donohoe bagged two goals inside the opening quarter with points by Dara Purcell (0-6), Oisin O’Rorke, Conal Ó Riain and Brian Hayes building a 2-12 to 0-6 interval lead.

Two points apiece from Caolán Conway and O’Rorke enhanced their control upon the restart and Brendan Kenny settled the issue when flicking to the net early in the final quarter.

Earlier at the Kimmage venue, Lucan Sarsfields moved into second spot in the Group 2 table as they overcame St Brigid’s by 2-23 to 1-14.

After a tight opening quarter, Lucan took control through goals from their midfield pairing of Cathal Kennedy and Colm Walsh as they enjoyed a 2-12 to 0-11 advantage at the break.

Ben Coffey kept the Lucan scoreboard ticking over with seven points over the hour and while Paul Winters netted from a 52nd minute free, Sarsfields reaffirmed their control through five late points from Coffey, Matt Coogan, Charlie Keher, Senan Bolger and Sean McClelland.

Across in Parnell Park, St Jude’s revived their Championship ambitions as they completed their first Group 2 success when edging local rivals Ballyboden St Enda’s by 4-17 to 1-25.

It was Jude’s that seized the early initiative thanks to goals from Cathal Martin and Callum Graham in the opening three minutes and while Darragh Kenny scored six points in the first-half, a Danny Sutcliffe goal saw the teams deadlocked at 0-17 to 3-8 by the interval.

The tightness continued for the second-half and with Eoin McLoughlin and Niall McMorrow trading late goals, Finbarr Wardick fired over the winning point for St Jude’s.

On Friday night, Na Fianna maintained their unbeaten run as they picked up their fourth win on the bounce when easing past St Vincent’s by 3-23 to 0-13 in Parnell Park.

After a tight first-quarter, the holders gradually took control of matters and a clinical penalty from Sean Currie in the 30th minute helped them build a healthy 1-11 to 0-7 lead by the turnaround.

The 33rd minute sending-off of Callum Walsh all but ended any hopes of a St Vincent’s comeback with Shane Barrett netting twice in the second-half as Na Fianna cruised home by the final whistle.

The only negative from their perspective was the sight of Donal Burke hobbling off the field before the break as Na Fianna face Kilmacud Crokes in their final group game.

Earlier in Donnycarney, Erin’s Isle dominated the final quarter as they pulled away from Naomh Barróg, winning by 5-15 to 1-18 to secure their second victory of the campaign.

Goals in the first-quarter from Conor Berigan and Jack Clerkin allowed Isles to seize the early initiative but ten points from Joe Flanagan pushed Barróg into a 0-14 to 2-5 interval advantage.

That ability to raise green flags was evident upon the resumption and while Daniel Moore netted for Barróg, an Ollie Gaffney brace and Michael Donohoe’s goal proved the difference by the final whistle.

PTSB SHC1 Group 1 Results: Erin’s Isle 5-15 Naomh Barróg 1-18; Na Fianna 3-23 St Vincent’s 0-13; Kilmacud Crokes 3-23 Whitehall Colmcille 0-9.

PTSB SHC1 Group 2 Results: Cuala 3-25 Faughs 0-10; Lucan Sarsfields 2-23 St Brigid’s 1-14; Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-25 St Jude’s 4-17.