Round-Up: PTSB Dublin Under 21 ‘B’ & 'C' Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Commercials advanced to the last four of the PTSB Dublin Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship following their impressive 3-20 to 3-12 victory over St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh in Rathcoole on Saturday afternoon. 

The hosts impressed from the outset with the scoring returns of Euan Morris, Daniel O’Kelly and Jacob Comiskey helping build a twelve-point lead by half-time. 

Morris scored 1-8 over the hour while O’Kelly chipped in with four points but Commercials were placed under greater pressure after the break as Plunkett’s launched a brave comeback. 

The defensive solidity of centre-back Dean Simpson, Ben Noone and Carl Nugent helped the hosts through this tricky passage with late scores by Ferdia Ó Nualláin (0-3) and Daire Conlon (1-3) seeing them home. 

On a day when all four home teams prevailed, Naomh Barróg were another to make the most of their familiar surrounds when beating Castleknock by 2-21 to 2-13 in Páirc Barróg. 

Donnacha Heffernan was a reliable source of scores for the hosts from frees and open play and with Aodhán Ó Donnchú and Daniel Moore also adding to the home tally, Barrógconfirmed their win thanks to three points off the bench by Kyle Comerford. 

Down the road in St Anne’s Park, Clontarf were pushed all the way before eventually edging their local rivals Raheny by 2-15 to 1-17. 

The influence of Luke Hayes could not be overestimated as he finished the contest with a personal tally of 1-11, with the goal coming from a penalty after the lively Oscar Finnegan was fouled. 

Clontarf’s second goal, scored by the impressive Oisin Creighton, came at a crucial juncture of the tense contest with the dogged defending of Jack Ryan and Luke Crowley central to the home win.  

The quartet of home successes was completed in Tymon Park as Faughs withstood a late Erin’s Isle rally on their way to a 3-19 to 3-15 victory. 

An Eoghan Brennan goal helped Faughs to a 1-13 to 1-7 interval lead with further goals by Aedan Mostyn and Brennan helping repel the visitors by the final whistle. 

PTSB U21 ’B’ HC Quarter-Finals: Naomh Barróg 2-21 Castleknock 2-13; Commercials 3-20St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 3-12; Clontarf 2-15 Raheny 1-17; Faughs 3-19 Erin’s Isle 3-15.  

In the ‘C’ Championship, Trinity Gaels delivered a strong team display as they accounted for Naomh Mearnóg by 3-17 to 1-11 in Páirc Mearnóg in their last-eight encounter.

The foundation for their victory lay in the defensive solidity provided by Calvin Reilly, Trey Hoey and Jack Conroy with Reilly also having an influence on the scoreboard as he fired over four points. 

The talented Cathal Barrett showcased his ability with a personal tally of 2-6 with Charlie Given (0-4), Connor Wilson (1-1), Senan Russell and Alex Ryan all proving too sharp for the Mearnóg defence.   

In Broomfield, St Sylvester’s pulled away in the second-half on their way to a comfortable 5-18 to 2-14 win against Whitehall Colmcille. 

A Sam Robinson goal helped the hosts move 1-9 to 0-6 ahead at the turnaround and Syls pushed on after the break with PJ O’Toole and Robinson netting in the third quarter. 

O’Toole top scored with 2-7 over the hour and with Pierce Donohoe chipping in with 1-2, the Malahide outfit built up an unassailable lead through further scores by Jack Mangan (0-3), Donnacha Canavan, Tommy Costello and James Reilly. 

Elsewhere, Fingallians completed a positive weekend for hurling in the club as they pounced late to edge Thomas Davis by 2-15 to 1-17 while O’Toole’s also advanced to the last four as they received a walkover from Round Towers Lusk.  

PTSB U21 ’C’ HC Quarter-Finals: Thomas Davis 1-17 Fingallians 2-15; St Sylvester’s 5-18Whitehall Colmcille 2-14; Naomh Mearnóg 1-11 Trinity Gaels 3-17; Round Towers Lusk scr.O’Toole’s w/o.