Round Up: Go-Ahead AFL 2- 24th March

It proved a frustrating morning for some of the leading teams in Division 2 of the Go-Ahead Dublin Adult Football League last Sunday as they saw their unbeaten runs come to an end.

Parnell’s were one such team to lose their perfect record as they succumbed by 0-14 to 0-7 to Naomh Olaf at St David’s.

St Patrick’s Donabate were another side that failed to build on earlier wins as they suffered a 1-16 to 1-8 reverse to Naomh Barróg at Páirc Barróg.

The hosts were particularly strong down the middle, starting with goalkeeper Tom McGuirk, through full-back Conor Gibson and centre-back Martin Rooney.

Barróg also made inroads from the flanks through wing-backs Mick Tolan, who kicked three points from play and Daniel Keegan while Paul Tolan (0-3) and Finn Alexander worked tirelessly to exert a stranglehold at midfield.

Matthew Own excelled from wing-forward in addition to kicking three points as the hosts pulled away through the scoring contributions of Sean Doyle (1-1), Liam Durran (0-2), substitute Aodhán Donahue (0-2), Ciaran Gallagher (0-1) and Ryan Alexander (0-1).

Naomh Mearnóg were another team to suffer their first reverse as they narrowly succumbed to Kilmacud Crokes by 0-13 to 1-8 at Silver Park.

Conor Kelly kicked three early points from play for the hosts as the sides entered the break on level terms before Rob Kenny made a wonderful save in the third quarter to deny the visitors a second goal.

That intervention galvanised Crokes, who kicked successive scores through Mark Coughlan, Dan Brennan and the lively Conor Kane as Kilmacud held on with Leo Fearon an influential presence from centre-back.

Elsewhere, Erin’s Isle picked up their first league points of the year as they pipped Ballyboughal by 0-17 to 1-13 in Ballyboughal.

Tadgh Gorman top scored for the visitors with eight points and with Stephen Kane and Adam Langan chipping in with four points and two points respectively, the Finglas outfit held on thanks to influential displays from Aaron McGrane, Keith Mahon and Mikey Donohue.

Raheny also enjoyed their travels in the north county with goals proving decisive in their 5-10 to 1-14 victory over Fingal Ravens in Rolestown.

Darren Byrne delivered an inspirational display for the winners from half-back that included a wonderful solo goal as his run from deep culminated in a cracking finish to the top corner of the Ravens net.

Cian Ivers also caught the eye with 2-3 from full-forward while the visitors remained in control through the efforts of Brian Talty at midfield and Darren Brannigan at half-back.

They were also helped by Darren Lunney, who added 1-3, with the scoring returns of Adam McAweeney (0-3) and Alan McLoughlin (1-0) helping them secure the welcome win.

In Abbotstown, goals from Philly Ryan, Conor Watt and Scott Daly, alongside fine individual performances by Sean Egan, Eoghan McKiernan and Darren McLoughlin were crucial as St Brigid’s edged St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh by 3-12 to 3-10.

Go-Ahead AFL2: Ballyboughal 1-13 Erin’s Isle 0-18; Fingallians 0-18 Scoil Uí Chonaill 2-11; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 3-10 St Brigid’s 3-12; Round Towers Clondalkin 0-9 St Vincent’s 2-16; Naomh Barróg 1-16 St Patrick’s Donabate 1-8; Fingal Ravens 1-14 Raheny 5-10; Kilmacud Crokes 0-13 Naomh Mearnóg 1-8; Parnell’s 0-7 Naomh Olaf 0-14.