Round Up: PTSB Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Castleknock advanced to the semi-finals of the PTSB Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship after accounting for St Sylvester’s by 1-25 to 3-15 at Somerton Park on Saturday afternoon. 

An early goal helped the visitors settle into the encounter but Castleknock gradually took control of matters thanks to strong defensive efforts from Liam Mulroney and Bill McDowell. 

Cian Boyle and Neil Hogan began to translate some pressure into scores and with Rian Buckley adding two points, Hogan’s 25th minute goal propelled the hosts into a 1-13 to 1-5 interval lead. 

The concession of another goal saw the home lead reduced to four points midway through the second-half but Hogan and Boyle helped steady the ship with crucial points while Paul Bourke and Oisín Ó Flannagáin enjoyed hugely influential displays. 

Boyle (0-11) and Hogan (1-7) combined for 1-18 of the home tally with dual player Conor Chawke, Matthew Lynam and Joe Barker all chipping in with points by the final whistle.   

On a day when all four home teams progressed, Clontarf were another team to benefit from their familiar surroundings as they eased past Naomh Mearnóg by 4-24 to 1-16 in St Anne’s Park.

The hosts were full value for their 1-12 to 0-8 half-time lead with excellent performances at the back from goalkeeper Robin McGill, Odhran McGuckin, Joe Sheppard and Martin Byrne augmented by a Paddy Smyth goal. 

Mikey Devine was another to shine with a personal tally of 1-12 that included a penalty early in the second-half and Clontarf made certain of their win as Smyth completed his hat-trick while Andrew Keegan added four points from midfield. 

It was all about the collective in Clonshaugh as Craobh Chiaráin delivered a strong team display when getting the better of Commercials by 2-19 to 0-15. 

All twenty players used could feel justifiably pleased with their impact, starting at the back in Matthew Forbes and Eugene Farrell through to Eoin Forbes, Jack Murray and Carl Sammon up front. 

There was a strong momentum provided from the bench with Craobh stalwart Darren Kelly effectively settling the issue with a fine goal after the break. 

The quartet of home successes was completed at Martin Savage Park as St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh did just enough to shake off a determined Raheny, prevailing by 0-27 to 4-14. 

The hosts seized the early initiative through points from Ger Ryan and Cian Maguire but goals from the lively Liam Dunne and Thomas Hurley saw the visitors gain a marginal lead (2-6 to 0-10) by the turnaround. 

While Ryan, Ben McSweeney and Irinel Popa all scored to push Plunkett’s six points clear in the third quarter, the concession of further goals to Dunne and Adam McAweeney saw the teams deadlocked once again.  

Cathal O’Flynn from Plunkett’s and Raheny’s Mark Maguire were key figures in the thrilling closing stages as the hosts edged home through late points from Ryan and Cian Boland. 

Away from the quarter-final drama, Ballinteer St John’s secured their spot in SHC2 for 2027 as they defeated Kilmacud Crokes by 4-20 to 2-13 in Marley Park. 

Two superb Dylan Bannan goals in the first-half set the tone for the hosts with Conor Quinn a typically influential figure at midfield in addition to chipping in with two points. 

Tommy Cullen was another to excel for St John’s, finishing the game with 2-12 to his name as Ballinteer remained resolute in defence through the efforts of Iain Ó hEithir, Jack Ó Giollagáin and Seán Mulligan.          

PTSB SHC2 quarter-finals: Craobh Chiaráin 2-19 Commercials 0-15; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER0-27 Raheny 4-14; Castleknock 1-25 St Sylvester’s 3-15; Clontarf 4-24 Naomh Mearnóg 1-16. 

PTSB SHC2 relegation play-offs: Thomas Davis 1-10 Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-21; Ballinteer St John’s 4-20 Kilmacud Crokes 2-13.