Round-Up: PTSB Dublin SHC2 Semi-Finals

Craobh Chiaráin and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh will contest this year’s PTSB Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship decider following their thrilling semi-final victories over Castleknock and Clontarf respectively on Saturday afternoon. 

Of more significance to both clubs is their promotion to SHC1 for 2027 and they were pushed all the way before securing their return to the top-flight. 

In Somerton Park, Craobh finished on the front foot as they finally saw off a determined Castleknock by 1-24 to 1-20. 

The hosts started brightly against the breeze thanks to early points from Cian Boyle and Neil Hogan and a Colum Breslin goal pushed them into a 1-3 to 0-3 lead. 

The visitors finally found their rhythm with the likes of Kieran McGouran, Sam Keeley, Kevin Hetherton and the classy Gary Kelly all to the fore while the point-taking of Cian Derwin saw them edge in front by 0-13 to 1-9 at the break. 

Castleknock resumed in a dominant manner with Hogan, who scored five points from play, Boyle and dual player Conor Chawke (0-3) all impressing and their tally was boosted by further scores by Reuben Cahill, Oisín Ó Flannagáin and Bill McDowell. 

They looked set for victory as Craobh were reduced to fourteen with ten minutes remaining but the visitors made light of that disadvantage as they excelled in the closing stages. 

Derwin, who finished with 0-11 to his name, brought the teams level entering added time and from a lengthy delivery, Jack Murray was on hand to flick home for the game’s decisive scorea minute later. 

Murray scored 1-1 in total as his side built up a winning tally through three points apiece by Billy Ryan and Conor Newton while Robbie Mahon impressed with two points. 

Matters were even tighter in St Anne’s Park as Plunkett’s required extra-time before eventually getting the better of Clontarf by 1-27 to 2-21.  

Ger Ryan was in exceptional form for the visitors, with his seventeen-point tally including three scores from play as Plunkett’s opened up brightly to lead by 0-8 to 0-3. 

However, they lost their way in terms of shooting in the second quarter, racking up six wides on the bounce as Clontarf trimmed their deficit to two points (0-9 to 0-7) by half-time. 

The contest seemed to be slipping away from the hosts as Cillian Hayes netted for Plunkett’s but a string of four unanswered points preceded a Mikey Devine goal from a free. 

A late free from Ryan saw the teams deadlocked at 1-18 apiece at full-time and the visitors made the most of their reprieve as they scored seven points in the first period of extra-time. 

Luke Hayes netted to trim the home deficit to 1-25 to 2-19 at the break but with full-forward Paddy Smyth generally well curbed by Jack O’Shea, the winners maintained a decisive edge through strong showings from Neil Clerkin (0-5), Cian Boland, Conor Scully and Tom Cullen.  

Devine top scored for Clontarf with 1-9 while substitute Dylan O’Neill chipped in with two points but their efforts and those of Joe Sheppard and Odhran McGuckin in defence proved in vain by the final whistle.  

PTSB SHC2 semi-finals: Castleknock 1-20 Craobh Chiaráin 1-24; Clontarf 2-21 St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 1-27 AET.