AFL1 Round-Up

The Adult Football Leagues commenced around the County yesterday, here's a round-up of the AFL1 action:

Ballymun Kickhams 0-13 Castleknock 0-15

Castleknock have continue their meteoric rise with the scalp of Ballymun Kickhams in their first ever Division 1 League game, after winning AFL2 last year. Strong performances from Jamie Tunney and Shane Boland helped them over the line away in Pairc Ciceam, which is no mean feat. Paddy Small kept the scoreboard ticking over for the home side but it wasn't enough to stop Castleknock claiming their victory.

Castleknock now welcome Fingal Ravens to Somerton on March 13th and Ballymun have Lucan away, who are also newly promoted (via the playoffs).

St. Sylvesters 0-13 St. Vincents 4-13

2015 league champions St. Vincents got off to a good start in this year’s campaign with an impressive opening day victory against Sylvester’s out in Broomfield. The game was played in ideal conditions with the home side off to a good start with the opening score inside the first two minutes. However Vins quickly responded with a Tomás Quinn goal after a smart cross field pass from Albert Martin and then the Marino men added a second goal shortly after when Quinn laid off to the on rushing Gavin Burke who finished confidently to the net. Michael McCarthy and Gary Sweeney kicked scores to bring Syls closer but Quinn struck his second goal of the day minutes before half time leaving his team with a 3-5 to 0-6 lead at the break.

Ruairi Trainor, Adam Baxter and Cameron Diamond all added second half points for Vincents before Shane Carthy bundled in their fourth goal of the game. Syls continued to fight with Fionn Carney solid at full back and Niall Coughlan proving a handful in the full forward line but the goals the home side needed never materialised.

Up next for Syls is Raheny in St. Annes Park, while Vincent's host Plunkett's.

Cuala 0-10 Lucan Sarsfields 1-13

Hyde Park welcomed Lucan back to Division 1 and they've put down a marker that they're here to stay! Tommy Brennan and Luke Keating kept the scoreboard ticking over in a tit for tat first half that ended 0-5 a-piece.

In the second half Lucan came out the sharper and tagged on four points in quick succession and held Cuala at arms length, until a mix up at the back for Cuala allowed Rory Kelly tap home the coup de grâce into an empty net to insure a winning start to Lucan's campaign. 

Cuala travel to Mobhi Road looking to avenge a big loss last year, while Lucan have home advantage against Ballymun in the 12th Lock.

Fingal Ravens 2-6 Raheny 0-12

Ravens and Raheny played out the only draw of the opening day of AFL1. Raheny received a share of the spoils in fortress Rolestown, where it's hard come away with any points. 

Raheny have Syls in their home patch next and Ravens travel to the newly promoted and all conquering Castleknock.

St Oliver Plunkett's/ER 1-11 Thomas Davis 0-10

Thomas Davis didn't make it easy for Plunketts in Martin Savage Park, they pushed them to the pin of their collars, but a Bernard Brogan goal was the deciding factor in the end for Plunketts. Full-back Eoghan O'Sullivan and James Brogan also had solid games for the Navan Rd men.

Plunkett's have a tough trip to Páirc Na Uinsionn on March 13. Thomas Davis were set to face Boden next, but they can't fulfill the fixture because of their  involvement in the All Ireland Ireland Club Final on March 17, they're now not in action till April 2, when they travel to Rush.

St Maur's 1-7 St Brigid's 0-14

On a bright fresh morning out in Rush on a heavy pitch under foot St Brigid’s started the brighter and went four points up in the first 15 minutes and should have been further ahead but Maurs got back into the game with a goal mid way through the half. Both sides reeled off three more points each before the break to leave St Brigid’s with a one point advantage going into half time.

St Maurs levelled the game straight from the restart and were now shooting down the hill, looked like they might kick on, but it was a combination of Brigid’s using the ball more effectively and Maurs fouling in around the D that allowed Brigid’s to push ahead. With Philip Ryan now on the pitch along side dead ball specialist Lorcan McCarthy and the evergreen Kevin Bonner St Brigid’s had the fire power to see out the game despite a late goal chance for Ciaran Reddin. St Brigid’s deserved their four point victory out in Rush and had a little bit more quality in the end.

Kilmacud Crokes 2-11 Na Fianna 2-7

Crokes came out on top in a heavyweight clash with Na Fianna in Silver Park. Crokes had a flying first half, they dominated the middle and Ross McGowan caused overlaps with surging runs from centre back, they went in 1-9 to 0-2 at the break, Cian 'OConnor provided the opening goal.

Na Fianna came out fighting in the second half, Conor McHugh got a goal and a string of points, along with a Gus Farrell goal, but a Callum Pearson goal stemmed the comeback and Crokes claimed the victory with 4 points to spare.

Na Fianna will be looking to bounce back against a Cuala side they ran riot against last time out. Crokes take on St Brigid's in Russell Park, who will be buoyant after their win away to Maur's in Rush.

Upcoming Fixtures

Note: The Club Championship draws will take place tomorrow evening, we will post the draws on our Website, Facebook and Twitter.