Round-Up: PSTB Leagues Dublin AHL 1 & 2

Ballyboden St Enda’s and Lucan Sarsfields continued their drive for the PTSB Dublin Adult Hurling League Division 1 title as they enjoyed contrasting wins on Saturday afternoon. 

While Lucan received a walkover from St Vincent’s, Ballyboden turned on the style in the second-half on their way to an impressive 1-21 to 1-14 victory against St Brigid’s at Russell Park. 

The sides were deadlocked at half-time but with the Boden defence excelling through the efforts of Luke Mulligan Lynch and Stephen O’Connor, they assumed control in the early stages of the third quarter thanks to 1-1 by Niall Ryan. 

Ryan’s goal was pivotal to the St Enda’s win with scores from Fionn Murphy, Eoin Behan and substitute Timmy Hammersley helping post a winning tally by full-time. 

The joint leaders stretched their advantage at the top to four points with just two rounds remaining following Craobh Chiaráin’s noteworthy 2-23 to 1-19 success against third-placed Cuala in Clonshaugh. 

The hosts were the epitome of skill, commitment and teamwork with Mark Hayes, Eugene Farrell and Kevin Hetherton setting the tone at the back while Stephen Kelly covered every blade of grass, typifying the Craobh attitude. 

Cian Derwin kept their scoreboard ticking over from placed balls with the likes of Jack Murray, Darren Kelly, Billy Ryan, Eoin Forbes and Robbie Mahon all adding scores at the contest evolved. 

Further down the table, Castleknock handed themselves a massive boost in terms of their hopes of avoiding the drop as they overcame Kilmacud Crokes by 2-19 to 3-10 at Somerton Park. 

Cian Boyle proved their match-winner once again with a personal tally of 2-12 with only seven of those points coming from placed balls. 

Despite playing against the breeze in the opening-half, the hosts led by 1-9 to 2-5 at the break and with Boyle netting early upon the restart, they never looked back with Neil Hogan’s 0-4 augmented by further points by Tadhg Coyle and Conor Chawke. 

PTSB AHL1: Lucan Sarsfields w/o St Vincent’s scr; Craobh Chiaráin 2-23 Cuala 1-19; Naomh Barróg 0-24 Faughs 0-24; St Brigid’s 1-14 Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-21; Castleknock2-19 Kilmacud Crokes 3-10.

In AHL2, there was no change at the top of the table either as Erin’s Isle and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh both picked up their seventh wins of the campaign with victories against Ballyboden St Enda’s and Fingallians respectively. 

While Isles beat bottom side Boden by 2-17 to 2-10, Plunkett’s scored goals at crucial times on their way to a 2-27 to 1-20 win against mid-table Fingallians at Lawless Park. 

The visitors were buoyed by an early John Ryan goal but Fins kept in touch through the efforts of Eoin O’Connor, Harry Brogan and Aron Gargan as they trailed by just 1-14 to 0-11 by half-time. 

A home goal early in the second-half limited the gap further but with Tom Cullen and Neil Clerkin impressing in defence, Plunkett’s made sure of their win through a Mugurel Popa goal and points at regular intervals from wing-back Éanna Boland, Irinel Popa and Cian Maguire. 

There was another home success at Portmarnock as Naomh Mearnóg moved into fourth spot in the table courtesy of their handsome 3-17 to 0-8 victory against Naomh Olaf. 

There was only two points to separate the teams at the break but goals from Luke Rafter and Sam Forde, allied to strong defensive showings by Tom Cosgrove, Rommi Shaul and James McNamee saw the hosts ease home by the final whistle.      

Elsewhere, Clontarf kept up the pace on the leaders as they beat Ballinteer St John’s by 1-20 to 1-14 while Thomas Davis picked up their second win in four days when narrowly getting the better of Raheny by 1-19 to 1-17.  

PTSB AHL2: Erin’s Isle 2-17 Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-10; Thomas Davis 1-19 Raheny 1-17; Fingallians 1-20 St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 2-27; Naomh Mearnóg 3-17 Naomh Olaf 0-8; Commercials 3-22 St Sylvester’s 3-22; Clontarf 1-20 Ballinteer St John’s 1-14.