AFL1 Round-up

Thu, 26th May 2016

A Round-up of Wednesday night's AFL1 action:

Na Fianna 2-12(18) St. Brigids 0-13(13)

Na Fianna started the brighter out in Collinstown last night and spurned two goal chances in the opening couple of minutes, one hitting the post and the other was well saved by Brigids' stopper Shane Supple. This seemed to wake St Brigid’s up and from then on they were the dominant side ihn the half scoring some nice points (3 beauties from Emlyn Mulligan) working the ball from defence to attack quickly and went in 0-08 to 0-05 up at half time.

Brigid’s started the second half brightly, again but it was Na Fianna who put together a purple patch scoring 2-04 without reply, Dublin U21 star Aaron Byrne got both goals. Brigid’s seemed to tire towards the end of the second half in the expansive new Collinstown Lane pitch and their subs made little impact. This was in stark contrast to Na Fianna’s bench who were full of energy and were the difference in the end. Two midfielders impressed throughout Na Fianna's Allister Fitzgerald and Brigids' Cian Mullins, they dominated their own sides kickouts and set up great platforms for the scores. A good game of football between two sides with tough championship draws ahead of them in October (Brigids v Ballymun and Na Fianna v Vins).

Na Fianna have an away trip to Tymon to face Judes and Brigids have a precursor of their Championships game coming up in October against Ballymun at home in Russell Park.

Kilmacud Crokes 0-18(18) St. Vincents 1-18(21)

Spectators in Silverpark on Wednesday evening were treated to a high scoring encounter between two teams that have enjoyed very strong starts to their respective league campaigns.

St. Vincents started brightly with some excellent early scores from Ruairi Trainor, Gavin Burke and Nathan Mullins giving them an early cushion. In a high tempo and hard hitting first half the home side stayed in touch thanks to scores from Brian Kavanagh and Carl Diaz but Vins finished the half strongly with points from Albert Martin and Tomás Quinn leaving them with a 0-11 to 0-7 lead at the break.

Half time substitute Mark Vaughan lead a second half Crokes fight back where two of his excellently taken points reduced the lead to the minimum but midway through the second half Enda Varley showed a turn of pace and classy finish from 15 yards to give Vins a crucial goal. When Trainor & Martin added further points it looked as though the Marino men would run out easy winners but Crokes continued to fight and Vins were thankful for some excellent reflex saves from Michael Savage in goal to maintain their lead and allow them hold out for a hard fought 3 point win.

Next up for Vins is Cuala in Pairc Na Uinsionn, while Crokes face Raheny in St. Anne's, both on Saturday.

Ballymun Kickhams 3-10 St. Sylvesters 2-16

Ballymun had home advantage in Pairc Ciceam against Syls, but just couldn't make it pay, they racked up a handy score of 3-10 with goals from Kevin Leahy (Penalty), the evergreen Alan Hubbard and Cian Gerrard. It was Syls day with an incredible display from Gary Sweeney, which included a crucial goal in the second half, it wasn't just a virtuoso display he was helped by a strong defence with Stephen Cunningham as the lynch pin and in attack he was ably assisted by Ronan Palmer, Brian Sexton and Ciaran Roche.

Syls will look to make it back to back wins with a victory over Plunketts in Broomfield, while Ballymun take on their championship opponents St. Brigids in Russell Park.

Cuala 2-18(24) Thomas Davis 4-12(24)

It was a perfect evening for football in Dalkey and attacking football ensued. Cuala got off to a good start and got scores on the board early doors with a couple of long range free's from their goalkeeper Darren McBrian and scores from Luke Keating, Niall Carty, Matthew Clancy and Darragh Spillane, but at the other end they conceded 4 goals from the dynamic duo of Paul Hudson and Ciaran Farrelly. Cuala's comeback was spearheaded by Luke Keating with 2 goals either side of the half and points from play and frees close in. Darren McBrian landed his 6th free late on, which looked to give Cuala a crucial win, but a last minute equaliser meant Cuala and Thomas Davis shared the spoils again for a second year running in Hyde Park.

Cuala have a difficult task against Vins this Saturday on their home patch and Thomas take on Lucan back in Kiltipper.

St. Oliver Plunketts E.R. 7-08(29) Fingal Ravens 1-09(12)

A quiet bizarre game in Martin Savage Park last night, Plunketts trailed Ravens by 2 at the half and then Alan Brogan grabbed his Plunketts sided by the scruff of the neck and lead them to a 17 point victory with 6 second half goals.

Fingal have another tough game to look forward to on Saturday, they welcome the current All Ireland Club Champions Ballyboden to Rolestown and Plunketts will travel to a confident Syls in Broomfield.

St. Maurs 3-06(15) Raheny 1-11(14)

Maurs got an important W in Rushe against another team in the bottom half Raheny. 3 first half goals from David McGuiness (Penalty), Alan Byrne and a wonder goal from Eoin Fletcher seem to have Maurs in great stead for the win, but Raheny battled right to the bitter end and pushed themselves in front, only to be chopped down by Ciaran Reddins nerves of steel, the Maurs man slotted over 3 frees from distance late on to give his side a win by the minimum.

Raheny have another tough one on Saturday against Crokes and Maurs will take on Castleknock in Somerton.

Lucan Sarsfields 1-11(14) St. Judes 0-11(11)

Lucan got a much needed win the 12th Lock last night in a hard hitting physical game. It was not for the feint of heart, but Lucan came out at the right end of this bruiser, thanks to an all important goal from Stephen O'Shaughnessy. Diarmuid McLoughlin was scorer in chief for St. Judes, whilst Mark Sweeney and young Tom Lahiff were lively throughout. Lucans defense held strong at the end and important scores from Brendan Gallagher and Sean Newcombe helped them over the win.

Lucan will look to build on this in Kiltipper on Saturday and Judes have a visit from a high flying Na Fianna side.

Ballyboden St. Endas 3-12(21) Castleknock 0-17(17)

The all Ireland Champs ground out an impressive win at home against Castleknock. Their Captain Darragh Nelson was ever impressive at centre back and Ryan Basquel inflicted the killer blows from deadballs which included 2 penalties. Boden's physicality at the back with the likes of Bob Dwan, Shane Clayton and Darragh Nelson was a feature throughout and helped them to a 4 point victory. Castleknock were without some of their Championship heroes Hannigan, Tunney and Kindlon to name a few.

Castleknock will look to bounce back against Maurs in Somerton and Boden will look for another win away to struggling Fingal Ravens.