Cuala bounce back with victory - SHC round-up (Wednesday)

Defending champions Cuala responded from their opening night defeat (to Ballyboden St Enda's) by recording a comprehensive 1-23 to 0-10 victory over Faughs in their Dublin SHC Group 1 clash at O'Toole Park on Wednesday night.

The Dalkey men set about their night's work with intent and by the break enjoyed a 12-point advantage, 1-13 to 0-4.

Their goal arrived in the 23rd minute when Mark Schutte powered through the Faughs defence before firing to the net.

The Schutte brothers, Paul and Mark, David Treacy and Darragh O'Connell were all on target as Cuala moved through the gears.

Cuala would have had a second first half goal but for a brilliant Liam Gleeson save but there was only going to be one winner as Mattie Kenny's men marched to victory.

St Vincent's maintained their impressive early championship form when outclassing Setanta 6-26 to 2-9 in their Dublin SHC Group 3 encounter in Parnell Park.

John Hetherton was the scorer-in-chief for Vinnies with a personal tally of 2-11 (0-7f) while Alan Moore contributed 2-3, all from play.

By the interval St Vincent's were in total control and had opened up a 4-13 to 0-4 lead with Hetherton hitting two of the goals and Ronan Fallon and Rian McBride the others.

Vincent's were full of energy with wing-back Tom Connolly enjoying a productive night.

Moore's brace of goals came in the last quarter as nine different players scored for the Marino side.

A minute's silence was observed before the game for the recently deceased St Vincent's clubman, Christy 'Sweets' Downes.

Craobh Chiaráin made it two wins from two starts when they overcame Naomh Barróg 2-15 to 0-9 in their Dublin SHC Group 4 tie at Parnell Park.

The Kilbarrack club opened the scoring with a Brian Dennis point but it was Craobh who soon began to get on top as three Robbie Mahon frees before the 11th minute had them two points to the good.

After 22 minutes came a key moment with Craobh keeper Stephen Chester denied Dean Flood a goal with an athletic save that turned his goal-bound shot over the crossbar.

Chiarains led 0-9 to 0-5 at the break before the game turned the way of the Donnycarney outfit early in the second half when half-time sub Keith Ryan's shot found the net.

With 20 minutes remaining Kieron McGouran fired home Craobh's second goal from the penalty spot with freetaker Robbie Mahon finishing the night with 0-8, all from deadball.