ROUND-UP: Go Ahead Adult Football League Division 1- 5th Mar

Mon, 6th March 2023

A strong first-half proved decisive as Ballinteer St John’s defeated near neighbours Naomh Olaf by 0-16 to 0-10 in their Go Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football League Division 1 encounter at Marley Park on Sunday morning.

There were nine separate scorers for the hosts with the influential Glenn Whelan leading the way with four points from play while Donnacha Carey added three points, two of which came from placed balls.

The likes of Ben Millist, Whelan, David Devereux, Carey, Luke Cullen and Eoghan Fitzpatrick ensured that St John’s were able to weather the pressure placed on them by Olaf’s after the break with Fitzpatrick impressing with two points from play.

Millist, Cullen and Devereux also kicked valuable scores alongside Colm Fitzpatrick, substitute Oisin Grady and Joe Sweeney.

<em>Pic via Paul Lundy </em>

Raheny were another team to record their first league win of the year as they overcame Castleknock by double scores (1-13 to 0-8) at Somerton Park.

The foundation for their success lay in a strong defensive effort in which Glenn McNamara and Darren Byrne impressed in their full-back line while Cúán Malone shone at wing-back.

Jack Fagan was outstanding at centerfield for the visitors, and with Adam McAweeney pouncing for the game’s solitary goal, Raheny pushed on through four points from Darren Lunney and further scores by Seán MacMahon, Cian Ivers, Seán McCarthy, Rutherson Real, Malone, Fagan and Paddy Reid.

There was another away win at St Mobhi Road as Ballyboden St Enda’s edged Na Fianna by 3-9 to 1-13, despite the 24^th minute dismissal of Colm Basquel.

The visitors trailed by 1-8 to 1-5 at the interval but the introduction of Darren O’Reilly, Donagh McCabe and Alan Flood on a hugely positive impact on their chances.

Ross McGarry top scored with 1-2 with the other Boden goals coming through Ryan Basquel and Josh Hayes, while at the opposite end, both Kieran Kennedy and Shane Clayton excelled in a defensive capacity.

St Sylvester’s picked up their second successive victory as goals from Karl Archibald and Dylan Connolly helped them enjoy an away win at Skerries Harps.

Sean Guiden kicked four points for the winners while Paidi White (0-3) and Ross Keogh (0-2) also made significant scoring contributions.

Syls are joined at the top of the table by Thomas Davis, Lucan Sarsfields and St Jude’s, who all picked up impressive away wins at Cuala, St Vincent’s and Ballymun Kickhams respectively.

Meanwhile, Clontarf recorded their first win of the campaign as Rory Clarke netted late to complete a 2-7 to 0-9 away win at Kilmacud Crokes.

GO AHEAD AFL DIVISION 1 RESULTS: Kilmacud Crokes 0-9 Clontarf 2-7; Ballymun Kickhams 1-4 St Jude’s 1-8; Cuala 2-7 Thomas Davis 2-18; Castleknock 0-8 Raheny 1-13; Ballinteer St John’s 0-16 Naomh Olaf 0-10; St Vincent’s 0-12 Lucan Sarsfields 3-9; Skerries Harps 0-8 St Sylvester’s 2-11; Na Fianna 1-13 Ballyboden St Enda’s 3-9.