Round-Up: PTSB Leagues AFL 1-4

There was a limited number of matches that took place in the Top 4 divisions of the PTSB Dublin Adult Football Leagues over the weekend with Kilmacud Crokes missing the chance to extend their lead at the top of AFL1 when narrowly losing to Ballymun Kickhams by 0-23 to 0-22 in Páirc de Búrca on Saturday night. 

Despite both teams missing a number of key personnel, there was a keen edge to the contest with Crokes undermining their ambitions as they spurned three gilt-edged goal chances. 

The hosts still managed to eke out the lead but with former Longford star Keelin McGann giving an exhibition of two-point kicking after the break, Kickhams did just enough to prevail.  

In AFL2, St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh all but secured their return to the top flight following their comfortable 0-21 to 0-8 victory over local rivals St Brigid’s at Martin Savage Park.

Orange flags were very much the order of the day for the hosts as Conor Tyrrell kicked a trio of two-pointers while Cillian Hayes, Ted Furman and Craig Dunleavy were also on target as Plunkett’s moved two points clear at the summit of the table. 

The defeat for St Brigid’s was welcome news for both Fingal Ravens and St Sylvester’s, who lie in the remaining promotion spots with an extra game to play. 

Further down the table, Templeogue Synge Street eased any potential relegation fears when overcoming Scoil Uí Chonaill by 3-19 to 5-8. 

The battle for promotion from AFL3 remains a fascinating one as Ballyboden St Enda’s regained top spot with a comprehensive 4-18 to 2-5 victory against Trinity Gaels in Drumnigh. 

Having lost in Round 12 to Round Towers Clondalkin, Boden were back to their free-flowing best with eleven of their line-up contributing to their imposing tally. 

James Greally set the tone with 2-1 and with Rob Cullen also netting, the visitors pulled away thanks to a dominant display by Harry Colclough at midfield and strong defensive showings from David Gannon, Oisín Carolan and Josh Kane, with the latter saving a second-half penalty. 

Elsewhere, Clann Mhuire cemented their mid-table position as they edged Naomh Fionnbarra by 2-14 to 1-15 in their ill-tempered clash in Naul on Friday night. 

Three players saw red over the hour as Clann Mhuire gained a decisive edge through goals from Alex Rogers and Billy Reilly while the free-taking of Adam Rogers kept the home scoreboard ticking over. 

Paddy Boylan was the pick of the Clann Mhuire defence, with the midfield partnership of Cian Murtagh and Jack McGrane also to the fore in their narrow win. 

In AFL4, there was a change at the top of the table as Man O’War leapfrogged St Patrick’s Palmerstown with a thrilling 3-18 to 3-15 victory.    

AFL1: Kilmacud Crokes 0-22 Ballymun Kickhams 0-23.

AFL2: St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh 0-21 St Brigid’s 0-8; Scoil Uí Chonaill 5-8Templeogue Synge Street 3-19. 

AFL3: Clann Mhuire 2-14 Naomh Fionnbarra 1-15; Trinity Gaels 2-5 Ballyboden St Enda’s4-18. 

AFL4: Man O’War 3-18 St Patrick’s Palmerstown 3-15.