Wins for Vincent’s, Cuala, Lucan and Setanta in SHC

St Vincent’s held off a late St Jude’s comeback before emerging 1-13 to 0-13 victors in Saturday’s Dublin SHC ‘A’ Group 1 encounter in Parnell Park.

The Marino side failed to score for almost the concluding 20 minutes of this match but at that stage had built up a cushion of eight points which Jude’s reeled in but couldn’t close fully.

Vinnies defence held strong in the face of Jude’s battling fightback with Neal Billings and Ruairí Trainor doing well in defence.

Conor Burke’s goal three minutes before the interval, following good work by Alan Moore, completed a dominant opening half for Vincent’s as they led 1-9 to 0-5 at the break.

It had taken Jude’s 22 minutes to score from play, a Joe McManus point, at which stage Vincent’s were then six points clear.

Moore did a lot of good work up front for Vinnies and with Keith Connolly, Brian Bolger, Oisin Lanigan and Rian McBride all on target – McBride’s one of two sidelines he brilliantly cut over.

Four minutes into the second half Rian McBride converted his second sideline and points from Burke (free) and Keith Connolly saw Vins move further clear.

However, Jude’s then reacted with points form McManus, Fionn O Riain Broin and Eoin McLoughlin, McManus then added two frees and when Danny Sutcliffe launced over a long-range free from inside his own half Jude’s were just five points in arrears entering the last ten minutes.

But Vincent’s held strong in defence to record their second win from two starts in the group.

Cuala’s Seán Moran had double cause for celebration on Saturday, in the early evening he helped the Dalkey side to a 1-15 to 0-14 Dublin SHC ‘A’ Group 3 victory over Craobh Chiaráin then that night he was named Club Hurler of the Year.

Jake Malone’s 17^th minute goal following good approach play by Colm Cronin helped the back-to-back All-Ireland champions into a 1-9 to 0-5 interval lead.

But Craobh rallied in the second period and pushed their opponents all the way with Billy Ryan and Cian Derwin doing well for the Donnycarney men.

Two David Treacy (0-8, 6f) points and another from Niall Carthy saw Cuala, who lined out without Mark Schutte and Con O’Callaghan, to victory.

Ciarán Dowling was the scoring hero for Lucan Sarsfields as they defeated Ballinteer St John’s 0-23 to 1-12 in their Dublin SHC ‘A’ Group 4 clash at O’Toole Park.

Dowling, a Dublin minor hurler in 2015 and ‘16, scored 0-12 (0-8f) overall while Lucan led 0-11 to 0-7 at the interval after the sides had been level on four occasions during the opening half.

Sars had extended their advantage to six points before Tom Aherne’s goal brought St John’s right back into contention.

But Lucan had enough about them to run out eight-point winners with their keeper Aidan Roche making one fine save to deny Seán Lane.

Also in Dublin SHC ‘A’ Group 4 action at O’Toole Park Setanta saw off Crumlin 3-16 to 2-14 in a high-scoring tussle.

First-half goals from Kevin Elliott and Alex Quinn helped Crumlin to a 2-8 to 0-6 lead.

It was an advantage they held onto until Setanta came with a winning surge inside the concluding ten minutes of the game.

With ten minutes to play Sean Ó Riain hit a Setanta goal, their second of the game following Fionntán Mac Gib’s effort early in the second half and when Mac Gib fired home their third goal they went in front and held on for victory.

Match Video Highlights (St. Vincents v St. Judes):

Match Video Highlights (Cuala v Craobh Chiarain):