Cuala finish with a flourish to see off Brigid’s in SHC ‘A’

Cuala performed something of a great escape when hitting the last four points to overcome St Brigid's, 3-18 to 1-23, in Saturday evening's Go-Ahead Dublin SHC 'A' Group 3 Round 3 duel at Parnell Park.

The Dalkey side now progress to the quarter-final along with table-toppers Kilmacud Crokes with Cuala facing Ballyboden St Enda's next and Crokes meeting St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh.

A goal from sub Ruairí Convery in the 58th minute propelled Brigid's into a 1-23 to 3-14 lead - a clinical move from Alan Nolan's puckout with Cian O'Sullivan, who hit 0-7 over the hour-plus (six points from play plus a sideline), placing Convery who angled brilliantly past Seán Brennan.

But holders Cuala dug deep to show all their big-game experience with the likes of Jake Malone, Seán Moran, Darragh O'Connell, David Treacy and Con O'Callaghan leading the way over the conclusion.

Crucially Darragh O'Connell responded immediately to Convery's goal with a point from play.

Con O'Callaghan, who hit 0-4 from play overall, clipped over two points and David Treacy, the game's top scorer with 0-9 (0-6f), converted a late free to see his side into the last eight.

Brigid's led by four points at half-time and Paul Winters point on the restart made it 0-16 to 1-8.

Cuala had been well restricted by the Brigid's defence in the opening half with Mark Kavanagh impressing. However, Cuala's ability to keep in touch and take their goal-scoring opportunities was to prove crucial.

Four minutes into the second half Liam Murphy finished neatly to Alan Nolan's net after good play by Seán Moran.

They struck again for goal just before the second water break when Darragh O'Connell was fouled by Alan Nolan and Seán Moran stepped up and sent the Dublin keeper the wrong way to bring the sides level, 3-11 to 0-20, by the three-quarter marker.

There was plenty more drama still to come.

David Treacy edged Cuala ahead for the first time since the third minute of the opening half but the influential Cian O'Sullivan replied with a point following a great fetch by Paul Winters.

Con O'Callaghan again nosed Cuala in front following great defensive play by his brother Eoghan and a good delivery inside from Jake Malone.

A Darragh O'Connell point made it 3-14 to 0-21 but Brigid's battled back with points from Cian O'Sullivan and a Johnny McGuirk free, his sixth and last of the contest, following a foul on O'Sullivan to level it (3-14 to 0-23).

Then came Ruairí Convery's goal to put Brigid's in the driving seat but Cuala showed great mettle from there to the finish - moving the ball with great accuracy to engineer the victory with Darragh O'Connell, Con O'Callaghan (two) and David Treacy (free) getting the winning scores.

After an eagerly contested opening half Brigid's led 0-15 to 0-1-8 at the break with Cian O'Sullivan contributing five points from play.

The Russell Park outfit were the better side in the opening quarter and led 0-7 to 0-2 approaching the first water break.

They also had a goal-scoring opportunity in the ninth minute but Diarmuid Breslin did not catch his shot just right and it was saved by Cuala keeper Seán Brennan.

Johnny McGuirk converted two frees in this period with Daire Plunkett and Paul Winters also contributing to the scoresheet.

However, Cuala improved their situation just before the water break when Diarmaid O Floinn applied the finishing touch for a goal following good approach play by Seán Moran.

Liam Murphy followed up with a point, following an assist from David Treacy, to make it 0-7 to 1-3.

The play switched from end to end with neither side enjoying any sustained periods of dominance but Brigid's created the better goal-scoring chances.

The impressive Cian O'Sullivan almost got through on goal in the 28th minute but was denied by great defence from Michael Conroy.

Just over a minute later O'Sullivan was placed one-on-one with Seán Brennan, following good work by Donnacha Ryan and Johnny McGuirk, but his goal attempt was brilliantly parried over by Brennan.

Just before half-time the stylish Eoghan Dunne punished a mistake in the Cuala defence to steer his side into a 0-15 to 1-8 lead.

In Saturday evening's other Go-Ahead Dublin SHC 'A' Group 3 Round 3 contest Kilmacud Crokes defeated Thomas Davis 1-26 to 0-14 at O'Toole Park to make it three wins from three starts.