Dublin SFC Second Rd promises plenty of quality action

The second round of the Dublin SFC takes place this week between Thursday and Saturday with some great action in store. Dublingaa.ie takes a quick look at how the teams fared in their opening round

DUBLIN SFC SECOND RD SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, May 11

St Maur’s v Cuala (O’Toole Park, 7.15)

St Maur's overcame Ballinteer St John's 1-15 to 0-13 in their first round in Parnell Park. In an entertaining open game of football Maur's came with a storming finish to secure their passge into round 2. St John's led 0-12 to 0-9 with 20 minutes left to play but it was mostly the Rush men from then to the finish with Chris Carthy, Conor McGuire and Alan Byrne all playing central roles. However, Ballinteer were left to rue a number of goal-scoring chances with Maur's keeper Mark Butterly enjoying an inspired game.

Cuala will welcome Dublin U21 All-Ireland winner Con O'Callaghan back into their side for this clash after sitting out their first round victory over Raheny, 3-12 to 0-17. Con's younger brother Niall was the goal-scoring hero for the Dalkey men that night with a brace of goals while Luke Keating hit 1-6 (0-4f).

St Vincent’s v Na Fianna (Parnell Park, 8.15)

These two neighbouring clubs have become familiar opponents in the Dublin SFC in recent seasons with the reigning holders from Marino holding the upperhand. Vins defeated Round Tower Clondalkin 3-19 to 3-4 in their first round with the Tower's inside forward line causing problems for the Vincent's defence off limited possession. Albert Martin hit two goals inside 90 second in the opening half to quell any hopes of a shock while Vincent's, who lined out with Tomas Quinn, started the game in very lively fashion to lead 0-6 to 0-1 inside the opening 12 minutes.

Na Fianna eventually overcame Nh Olaf 2-14 to 0-11 in their opening SFC clash. However, the final scoreline is a bit misleading as Olaf's squandered plenty of good scoring situations while Na Fianna keeper Conor McCarville was in top form. It took a late Na Fianna scoring burst from Andrew Baxter, Conor McHugh, Karl O'Connor and Joey Boland to see Na Fianna to victory but they will be strengthened by the inclusion of Dublin U21s Eoin Murchan, Aaron Byrne and Glenn Reilly for this clash. Tomas Brady is back from injury but Jonny Cooper is expected to miss out again.

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Lucan Sarsfields v St Sylvester’s (Finglas, 7.15)

Two goals each from Brendan Gallagher and Jack Carey saw Lucan defeat UCD 4-18 to 0-16 in their first round encounter. Dublin U21 Darren Gavin showed be buoyed in confidence following his Man of the Match display against Galway in the U21 All-Ireland final.

A powerful St Sylvester's playing some very direct football at times overwhelmed St Anne's 3-14 to 0-5 in their first round. The game was really over as a contest by half-time with the Malahide side leading 2-6 to 0-1 with their goals coming from Jack Hazley and Dylan Connolly.

Kilmacud Crokes v Parnell's (Blakestown Rd, 7.15)

Kilmacud Crokes had it all their own way in their first round tie when they defeated Erin's Isle 10-12 to 0-7. It wasn't the first time this year Crokes had score ten goals in a game either as they outclassed St Brigid's 10-10 to 0-10 earlier in the second in a league clash in Silver Park. Three players scored hat-tricks against Isles - Mark Vaughan 3-4 (0-3f), Paul Mannion 3-2 and Dublin U21 Callum Pearson 3-0.

Stephen Duffy was Parnell's first round hero as his tally of 1-5, all from play, was enough to see the Coolock side past Fingal Ravens, 1-13 to 0-10 in Balgriffin.

St Jude’s v Skerries Harps (Naul, 7.15)

St Jude's were much too strong for Nh Barrog in the first round, running out 17-point victors (1-10 to 0-6). Ross O'Brien, who lined out for the Dubs in the O'Byrne Cup this year, put Jude's on the road when converting a fifth minute penalty. Jude's led 1-8 to 0-2 at half-time and second half sub Declan Donnelly kicked four points from play after being introduced as a sub at the three-quarter mark.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Thomas Davis v St Brigid’s (Parnell Park, 5.0)

Paul Hudson and Shane McGrath both kicked 0-7 from play with Hudson also adding two frees for Thomas Davis in their 0-18 to 1-7 victory over Clontarf in the first round.

St Brigid's led St Peregrine's 0-9 to 0-1 at half-time in their first round encounter but were eventually made battle all the way after their Dublin 15 neighbours fought back in their second half.

Castleknock v St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER (Parnell Park, 6.30)

Castleknock knocked Plunkett's out of the 2016 Dublin SFC, 2-12 to 1-12, with James Sherry getting both goals so Plunkett's will be determined to balance the books.

Castleknock, runners-up last year, beat Templeogue Synge Street 0-11 to 0-8 in their opening round after making an electric start to lead by five points early on.

Synger improved from their slow start and were in contention before Seamus O'Carroll gave Castleknock enough breathing space, Ciaran Kilkenny contributed 0-3 from play with Ben Galvin slotting two points.

In a clash of the titans Plunkett's toppled Ballyboden St Enda's 2-10 to 0-13 in the opening round.

Bernard Brogan starred for Paul Curran's side, scoring 0-3 from play, converting three frees and having a hand in both goals - one from Leight Herron and was fouled for a penalty that Gareth 'Nesty' Smith converted. 'Nesty' enjoyed a fine game for Plunkett's, being given a roving role with his accurate and clever range of passing causing problems for Boden.

St Mary’s Saggart v Ballymun Kickhams (O’Toole Park, 5.30)

The Saggart men defeated Whitehall Colmcille 1-15 to 1-7 in their opening round with Whitehall just managing four points from play over the hour. Blaine Kelly was the scorer-in-chief for Mary's with four points from play as well as a converted free.

Ballymun Kickhams were too potent for St Pat's of Palmerstown with goals from Dean Rock, Eoin O'Neill, Kevin Leahy, Jason Whelan and Colm Hulton seeing them to a massive 20-point victory, 5-17 to 2-6.