Go-Ahead Ireland AFL 1 & AFL 2 Roundup

Round 3 of the Go-Ahead Ireland Adult Football Leagues took place over the weekend with Ballinteer St John’s picking up their second win of the campaign as they defeated Fingal Ravens by 5-12 to 2-7 at Marley Park.  

After losing to St Mary’s Saggart in Round 2, Ballinteer bounced back to form and having played against the breeze in the first-half, a Donnacha Carey goal helped eke out a 1-5 to 0-4 lead by the interval.  

While Ravens netted early in the second-half to halve their deficit, the hosts assumed control of matters with the likes of Finn Nolan, Mark McNally, Liam Smith and Luke Cullen more than playing their part.

McNally plundered a brace of goals as St John’s ran out comfortable winners thanks to further green flags raised by Patrick Coleman and Ronan Cullen.

Ballinteer continue to trail league leaders St Patrick’s Donabate, who maintained their perfect start to date when defeating Castleknock by 1-15 to 0-14 at Robbie Farrell Park.

Dylan Knight scored the solitary goal of the game in addition to adding two points and with Ollie Brooks and Stephen Dempsey kicking five and four points respectively, the hosts prevailed courtesy of further scores by Conor Moore, Sean Walsh and Gareth McDowell.

Matters proved tighter at Martin Savage Park as Ballyboden St Enda’s edged St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh by 0-15 to 0-12.

The away defence impressed throughout thanks to strong displays by Kieran Kennedy, Shane Clayton and Evin Nugent as Plunkett’s stayed in touch through a fine performance at midfield from Craig Dunleavy.

St Enda’s enjoyed a marginal edge up front with scores from the influential Ryan O’Dwyer, Michael O’Gara and Daire Sweeney seeing them over the line.

Elsewhere, St Mary’s and Kilmacud Crokes enjoyed comprehensive wins over St Sylvester’s and Lucan Sarsfields respectively while Clontarf defeated Cuala by 2-15 to 0-14.     

The final match of Round 3 will take place on Tuesday night when Na Fianna host Thomas Davis at St Claire’s, DCU (8.30).

GO-AHEAD AFL1 RESULTS: Lucan Sarsfields 0-6 Kilmacud Crokes 4-13; St Patrick’s Donabate 1-15 Castleknock 0-14; Ballinteer St John’s 5-12 Fingal Ravens 2-7; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 0-12 Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-15; Ballymun Kickhams 1-7 St Jude’s 0-14; St Mary’s Saggart 3-17 St Sylvester’s 0-14; Clontarf 2-15 Cuala 0-14.

In AFL2, Raheny pulled away in the second-half on their way to an emphatic 3-14 to 0-6 victory against Na Fianna in St Anne’s Park.

The hosts led by 0-8 to 0-4 at the break with the excellent Jack Fagan, Liam O’Shea and Rob Hennelly all kicking two-pointed scores.

Raheny, buoyed by the introduction of Brian Fenton for his seasonal debut, seized control upon the restart with Darren Lunney, Sean Grenham and Adam McAweeney all netting.

Fenton chipped in with a point of his own with Killian McGuirk, Thomas Hurley and Rutherson Real completing the home scoring.

In Thomas Ashe Park, goals proved pivotal as Templeogue Synge Street netted at critical times on their way to a narrow 4-11 to 1-17 victory over Round Towers Lusk.

Alex O’Toole and Sean McCormack provided a strong platform at midfield for Synger and with Connor Curran and Luke O’Brien scoring two goals apiece, they held on for victory thanks to influential displays from Scott McConnell and Kevin Hughes.   

GO-AHEAD AFL2 RESULTS: Scoil Uí Chonaill 1-20 Fingallians 2-14; St Vincent’s 3-15 Naomh Fionnbarra 1-6; Naomh Olaf 3-10 Pobal Parnell 0-10; Naomh Mearnóg 2-14 Kilmacud Crokes 0-15; St Brigid’s 1-12 Whitehall Colmcille 1-7; Skerries Harps 2-9 Naomh Barróg 1-11; Raheny 3-14 Na Fianna 0-6; Round Towers Lusk 1-17 Templeogue Synge Street 4-11.