Go-Ahead Adult Hurling League Division One Round-Up: July 28th

Fri, 30th July 2021

GO AHEAD ADULT HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROUND-UP (JULY 28)

By Daire Walsh

With just one round of fixtures left to play, it remains extremely tight at the summit of the Go Ahead Adult Hurling League Division One North table.

At Clonshaugh on Wednesday evening, St Vincent’s suffered defeat for the first time in 2021 - losing out to Craobh Chiarain on a final score of 2-13 to 1-14. This was also the case for St Brigid’s, who - after previously recording three consecutive wins - were on the receiving end of a 2-21 to 2-18 reversal at the hands of Na Fianna at St Mobhi Road.

By virtue of their win on home soil, the Glasnevin men move level on points with both Brigid’s and Vincent’s. Despite this recent set-back, a slightly superior scoring difference ensures the former lead the way in Division One North.

Na Fianna hold onto second place for the time being, with Vincent’s occupying third spot. The final round of fixtures on August 14 sees Vincent’s hosting Brigid’s at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn and Na Fianna facing Naomh Barrog in Kilbarrack.

Check out the @GoAheadIreland Division One North & South tables, following the latest round of games this week.

The final round of games takes place in a fortnight
https://t.co/JnaGI9z3YA pic.twitter.com/WowyKZtZOk
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) July 30, 2021

It promises to be a tantalising conclusion to a shortened campaign, with all three teams possessing a realistic opportunity of coming out on top of the pile. Elsewhere in One North on Wednesday, Whitehall Colmcille and Naomh Barrog picked up their first points of the term when playing out a 1-16 to 1-16 draw at Collins Avenue.

Promoted from Division Two for the first time in 2019, Barrog were on the brink of a maiden top-flight triumph as they led 1-11 to 1-7 at the interval. In addition to goalkeeper Josh Rooney, the visitors held a stubborn resistance in the form of defenders Liam Glynn and Niall Ring.

Cillian Costello and Joe Flanagan dovetailed to good effect in midfield, with centre-forward Ciaran Gallagher another player to make his presence felt. Diarmuid O’Donnell, Dean Flood and Sean Doyle were named on the inside line as Barrog were going the right way towards atoning for a July 14 defeat to Craobh Chiarain.

Heavy losses to Vincent’s, Na Fianna and Brigid’s had preceded this game for Whitehall, but they showed plenty of resilience on the resumption. Outscoring their opponents by 0-9 to 0-5, the hosts came away with a commendable draw in the end.

Full time in Silverpark
AHL1 South@Bodengaa 4:15 @KCrokesGAAClub 2:21@Bodengaa pic.twitter.com/krUa4lGz02
— Ballyboden St Endas (@Bodengaa) July 28, 2021

As a consequence of their thrilling 2-21 to 4-15 stalemate at Silver Park on Wednesday, both Kilmacud Crokes and Ballyboden St Enda’s remain unbeaten in Division One South. ‘Boden’s scoring average puts them marginally ahead of their Stillorgan counterparts, but this could all change in the coming weeks.

On August 11, ‘Boden will face Lucan Sarsfields at 12th Lock. By the time Crokes play Cuala at Shanganagh Park three days later, they will know what is required to come out on top spot in the division.

Overcoming Cuala won’t be easy of course and the Dalkey side remain in contention for back-to-back league titles, having been crowned champions at the end of the last completed league season of 2019.

Since their defeat to Kilmacud on the opening day of the term,John Twomey’s charges have embarked on an impressive winning run. Lucan Sarsfields and Faughs were both accounted for, in advance of their 2-14 to 1-11 victory against Ballinteer St John’s on Wednesday.

This puts Cuala a single point behind both Ballyboden and Kilmacud in the league standings, all of whom are expected to challenge at the business end of the Dublin Senior Hurling Championship.

Meanwhile, Faughs left the frustration of three straight defeats behind them by securing their first win of Division One South at the expense of Lucan Sarsfields in Tymon North. Lucan were looking to move up the table with a win in their second away game of the year, but the Templeogue club shaded it on a score of 1-19 to 1-17.