Round-Up: The Go-Ahead Ireland U21 A Football Championship

The Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Under 21 ‘A’ Football Championship got up and running last Saturday afternoon with Castleknock progressing to the last four following their impressive 2-13 to 0-17 victory over Kilmacud Crokes at Somerton Park. 

Dylan Clarke shone throughout for the hosts from half-forward with his tireless display rewarded with four crucial scores while at the opposite end of the field, Michael Padden excelled from full-back. 

The crucial goals arrived through Oisin Toland and Rueben Cahill and with Aaron Donnelly saving a Crokes penalty, Castleknock edged home thanks to influential performances from the likes of Cillian Clarke, Ben Foley, Conor O’Brien and Michael Sweeney. 

There was another home win at Páirc Uí Mhurchú as Ballyboden St Enda’s comfortably overcame St Sylvester’s by 2-16 to 0-11. 

The hosts served early notice of their intent through a goal from Callum O’Dwyer in their first attack and while Rory Guiden kept the visitors in the hunt with a brace of two pointers, a cracking O’Dwyer goal left St Enda’s with a 2-5 to 0-4 interval lead. 

Ballyboden pushed on after the break thanks to the efforts of Fionn Keating, Evan Nugent and Leon Murphy (0-2) while O’Dwyer finished the game with a personal tally of 2-10, including a trio of two-pointed frees. 

The only away success arrived at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn as Ballinteer St John’s defeated St Vincent’s by 1-15 to 0-13 on their way to securing a semi-final spot. 

The hosts raced into an early five-point lead with Michael O’Rowe doing the bulk of the damage but two points apiece from Jack Long and Joey Quirke saw St John’s claw their way back as the teams entered the break deadlocked at 0-10 apiece.

Harry Curley continued to impress for St Vincent’s but a goal from Long handed the visitors the initiative and they held on with relative comfort with Cody Graham and Pat Coleman to the fore. 

The remaining fixture saw St Jude’s confirm a last eight meeting with Lucan Sarsfields as they accounted for Na Fianna by 3-11 to 1-10 at Tymon Park. 

In the ‘B’ Championship, Thomas Davis edged their way into the last four when beating Cuala by 1-14 to 2-9 in Bray. 

The visitors led by a wind-assisted 1-9 to 2-3 at half-time with their goal coming through Jack O’Connor but Cuala took control after the break to overtake their opponents. 

Despite losing Dennis Ogbonna to a black card at the start of the final quarter, Thomas Davis kicked the next four scores to prevail by the final whistle. 

Gareth Hayes and Kai Young Byrne were the pick of the away defence while the scoring returns of Ryan Fahey (0-5), Ross Mullarkey (0-5) and Shane Mullarkey (0-2) were central to their success. 

On Friday night, Skerries Harps dominated from the outset on their way to a routine 1-22 to 1-6 victory over Ballymun Kickhams at Páirc Ciceam. 

Finn McGinnis set the tone for Harps with an exhibition of fielding from midfield while Greg McEneaney and Eoghan O’Connor Flanagan forced numerous turnovers as the contest evolved. 

McEneaney chipped in with their solitary goal as the visitors eased home through the scoring contributions of Paddy Copeland (0-6), Cillian Emmet (0-4), McGinnis (0-3) and Conor Moore (0-3).  

U21 ‘A’ FC preliminary round: St Jude’s 3-11 Na Fianna 1-10.

U21 ‘A’ FC quarter-finals: St Vincent’s 0-13 Ballinteer St John’s 1-15; Ballyboden St Enda’s2-16 St Sylvester’s 0-11; Castleknock 2-13 Kilmacud Crokes 0-17. 

U21 ‘B’ FC quarter-finals: Ballymun Kickhams 1-6 Skerries Harps 1-22; Templeogue Synge Street 1-15 Erin’s Isle 4-10; Cuala 2-9 Thomas Davis 1-14; Fingal Ravens 1-10 St Patrick’s Donabate 2-18.