Round-Up: PTSB Intermediate All-County Football Quarter-Finals & Relegation Play-Offs

It was a busy weekend in the PTSB Intermediate All County Football Championship with semi-final spots and relegation issues on the agenda across the county. 

Ballymun Kickhams produced the performance of the day as they booked their last-four berth when overcoming Ballyboden St Enda’s by 1-16 to 1-11 in Sancta Maria.

The foundation for their victory lay at the back through the solidity of full-back Sean Weir while wing-backs Tadhg Ó Céilleachair and Glenn Sheridan delivered hugely influential displays over the hour. 

The classy Alan Hubbard top scored with 1-4 and with Cuán Parnell adding 0-3, Kickhamsbuilt up a winning tally thanks to further scores by Kevin Kelly, Finn Warnick, Kieron McDonnell, Sean Bolger, Andy O’Brien and Sean Parnell.

That proved the sole away win of the quartet of matches as Na Fianna clicked into gear after the break to pull away from Fingallians by 3-15 to 0-8 at Mobhi Road. 

In what was a cagey and tight first-half with scores at a premium, a goal from Harry Bryce handed the hosts a narrow 1-5 to 0-5 interval lead. 

The introduction of Liam Fay and Tom Connell brought fresh impetus to the Na Fianna side with the latter chipping in with three points. 

Their incremental dominance yielded further goals from Dan Morley and Cathal Hickey with Donogh Fay, Jack Kearney, Sean Hayes and Eoin Killarney all to the fore for the winners. 

Matters were far tighter at Somerton Park as Castleknock scored goals at crucial times to edge a brave Clontarf by 2-16 to 2-13. 

There was never much to separate the teams as Reuben Cahill kicked two early points to settle the hosts before the visitors struck back with an unanswered 1-3. 

A two-pointer by Lenny Bracken brought Castleknock back within striking distance and with Stephen Kane excelling in a defensive capacity, they seized the initiative in the closing stages through goals from Aidan Kearney and Sam Ryan. 

There was another home win at Hyde Park as Cuala’s ability to find the net proved pivotal as they got the better of Kilmacud Crokes by 5-17 to 1-20.  

After a tight opening, the hosts made a decisive break with 2-2 at the end of the first quarter, building a 2-7 to 0-9 lead by half-time. 

Paul James sparkled throughout for Cuala, finishing the contest with 2-6 while midfielder Shane Mangan (2-2) and Peter Jackson (1-2) also made notable contributions on the scoreboard. 

Crokes continued to battle after the break but the hosts built up a winning tally thanks to further scores by Cuán Nugent, Tom Magee, Mark Smith, Darragh McAdam, Cathal Ó Giolláin and Cormac Ó Floinn.  

The relegation play-offs proved equally intriguing with St Vincent’s and Skerries Harps falling through the trapdoor into JFC1 following narrow losses to St Brigid’s and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh respectively. 

PTSB IFC County Quarter-Finals: Cuala 5-17 Kilmacud Crokes 1-20; Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-11 Ballymun Kickhams 1-16; Castleknock 2-16 Clontarf 2-13; Na Fianna 3-15 Fingallians 0-8.

PTSB IFC County relegation play-offs: St Brigid’s 2-8 St Vincent’s 1-7; Skerries Harps 1-16St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 4-14.