Quarter-final places up for grabs as SHC ‘A’ resumes

Ballyboden St Enda's recommence the defence of the Dublin SHC 'A' title when they face Setanta this Thursday night in their Group 4 clash at Parnell Park (7.30).

The holders have booked their berth already in the quarter-finals following victories, back in April, over both Lucan Sarsfields (1-15 to 1-14) and Whitehall Colmcille (2-18 to 2-17).

Boden survived a great second half comeback by Whitehall Colmcille to make it two wins from two starts in this Dublin SHC 'A'.

The southsiders, who are managed by former Dublin U21 boss Joe Fortune, led by 12 points at the interval, 2-12 to 0-6, but just about held out in the face of Colmcille's fightback which culminated in Seán Gray's goal direct from a '65' in the third minute of added time.

Setanta lost to both Lucan and Whitehall so the winner of Sunday's encounter (Parnell Park, 4.15) between Lucan and Whitehall will decide who else emerges for the group.

In Group 1 Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna are unbeaten, having drawn when they collided back in April.

A Ronan Hayes goal deep in injury-time snatched a 1-16 each draw for Kilmacud Crokes in that Dublin SHC 'A' Group 1 clash with Na Fianna in Parnell Park.

Na Fianna looked to be heading for victory when points from Feargal Breathnach, Seán Currie, Colin Currie (free), Donal Burke and AJ Murphy had them 1-16 to 0-15 clear as the game moved into added time.

Hayes then converted a 45-metre free, following a foul on Fergal Whitely, before dramatically earning a share of the points for the Stillorgan men with his goal in the third minute of injury-time.

Anthony Daly's Crokes, beaten finalists in the last three years, trailed 0-7 to 1-8 at half-time with Na Fianna's goal arriving in the sixth minute when Seán Currie was on target.

Donal Burke, who finished with 0-5 from play, struck some fine scores for the St Mobhi Road outfit who led 1-8 to 0-5 after 20 minutes before Crokes concluded the opening half on the up with points from Ronan Hayes (free) and Alex Considine, who tallied 0-3 overall.

Cuala are into the last-eight following their two victories to date in Group 2 and concluded their regulation group matches against Ballinteer St John's in O'Toole Park (5.15) on Saturday.

The Willie Maher-managed side, who won the All-Ireland club SHC in 2017 and 2018 when managed by Mattie Kenny, have been boosted by the recent return from injury of both Cian O'Callaghan and Paul Schutte.

St Brigid's and St Jude's will battle it out for the other qualification spot in Group 2 when they meet in Parnell Park on Saturday (5.15).

In Group 3 Craobh Chiaráin will look to resume with the same impressive form they showcased in April when they face St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh in O'Toole Park on Sunday (2.30).

Craobh underlined their championship sparkle when outclassing St Vincent's, 0-22 to 0-11, in their Dublin SHC 'A' Group 3 encounter at Parnell Park in April.

The Donnycarney men were full value for their 11-point victory as their more economical style and precision use of possession was too much for their Marino neighbours.

Craobh had most of their evening's work done by the half-time interval as they had opened up a 0-14 to 0-5 advantage.

Their work-rate and attitude was summed up three minutes into added time when Conor Ryan put in a brave block on Alan Moore as he set his sights on goal.

Billy Ryan and Paul Kelly had influential opening halves with Ryan hitting four points from play and Kelly three as both exhibited terrific accuracy.

Further out the field Cian Derwin gave another very encouraging display while Alan McCrabbe helped to pull the strings for a vibrant Craobh.

Vinnies were not allowed settle into any game-plan while their shooting was below par compared to their opponents.

FIXTURES: 2019 DUBLIN SHC 'A'

Thursday, September 6

SHC ‘A’ Group 4: Ballyboden St Enda’s v Setanta (Parnell Park, 7.30).

Saturday, September 7

SHC ‘A’ Group 1: Kilmacud Crokes v Faughs (O’Toole Park, 3.30); Na Fianna v O’Toole’s (Parnell Park, 3.30). 

SHC ‘A’ Group 2: Cuala v Ballinteer St John’s (O’Toole Park, 5.15); St Jude’s v St Brigid’s (Parnell Park, 5.15).

Sunday, September 8

SHC ‘A’ Group 3: Craobh Chiaráin v St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER (O’Toole Park, 2.30); St Vincent’s v Naomh Fionnbarra (Parnell Park, 2.30). 

SHC ‘A’ Group 4: Lucan Sarsfields v Whitehall Colmcille (Parnell Park, 4.15).

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FIXTURES: 2019 DUBLIN SHC 'B'

QUARTER-FINALS

Saturday, September 7

Na Fianna v Naomh Barróg (Mobhi Road, 5.0)

Castleknock v Crumlin (Somerton Park, 5.0)

Kilmacud Crokes v Scoil Uí Chonaill (Silver Park, 5.0)

Ballyboden St Enda’s v Thomas Davis (Páirc Uí Mhurchú, 6.0)