Round Up: Go-Ahead AHL 3 & AHL 4- Feb 25th

After an encouraging 2023, Naomh Mearnóg made a bright start to 2024 when defeating St Maur’s by 0-24 to 0-12 in their Go-Ahead Dublin Adult Hurling League Division 3 opener in Rush on Sunday morning.

The foundation of their success lay in a solid showing at the back with the likes of Tom Cosgrove, Jack Keogh, Rory O’Loughlin and Gavin Nangle typifying their efforts.

Shane Kavanagh produced a typically influential display at centrefield for the visitors, while Jack Cottell was their shining light in attack.

Liam Mullins top scored with ten points, nine of which came from placed balls, while the lively Bernard Deay (0-5), Cottell (0-3), Keogh (0-2) and Conor Archer (0-2) helped ensure a healthy win by double scores.

It was far tighter in Páirc Naomh Uinsionn as St Vincent’s overcame a one-point interval deficit to defeat Round Towers Clondalkin by 1-20 to 2-11.

The attacking inspiration was provided by Alan Moore and Rory O’Neill while Brian Murray revelled in the physical stakes as Towers were reduced to fourteen early in the second-half.

O’Neill (0-9) and Moore (0-6) shared the bulk of the Vinnies scores and with Cathal Williams and Dan Dunne making solid impressions, the hosts pulled away thanks to 1-1 by Conor Sheridan and points by Josh Curley, Davy Garland, Tom Hunter and Gavin Dunne.

Most of the remaining encounters went right down to the wire as Naomh Olaf pipped Naomh Fionnbarra by 1-11 to 0-13 while Commercials and Clontarf, and O’Toole’s and Na Fianna both shared 1-12 apiece draws.

Bray Emmets were also far from comfortable before eventually seeing off Ballyboden St Enda’s by 0-22 to 3-8.

In Division 4 of the the Go-Ahead Adult Hurling League, St Peregrine’s were another team to exert their dominance upon the resumption as they registered an impressive 3-16 to 1-11 away win over Faughs in Tymon Park.

The hosts impressed initially but a fortuitous goal by Adam O’Connor helped the visitors trail by the bare minimum at half-time.

The Blakestown Road outfit moved through the gears after the break, with Dave McGovern, Eoin Gleeson, Craig Melvin and Oran McEvoy all to the fore while O’Connor, who finished with 1-8, ensured their scoreboard kept moving freely.

Melvin and Michael Meehan raised green flags for St Peregrine’s as the contest evolved while Mark Sweeney, Caelum Moriarty and McEvoy added insurance scores to complete a resounding win.

In Pearse Park, Crumlin were pushed all the way before seeing off a battling Clanna Gael Fontenoy by 1-23 to 0-20.

David Kellett and Kyle Clare were especially resolute in the home defence and with Peter Blake providing a steady supply of possession, Crumlin posted a winning total through a Kevin Elliott goal and points at regular intervals from Philip Burgess and Elliott.

Go-Ahead AHL3 Results: Commercials 1-12 Clontarf 1-12; Naomh Olaf 1-11 Naomh Fionnbarra 0-13; Bray Emmets 0-22 Ballyboden St Enda’s 3-8; O’Toole’s 1-12 Na Fianna 1-12; St Vincent’s 1-20 Round Towers Clondalkin 2-11; St Maur’s 0-12 Naomh Mearnóg 0-24.

Go-Ahead AHL4 Results:Faughs 1-11 St Peregrine’s 3-16; Skerries Harps 1-14 Lucan Sarsfields 2-15; Crumlin 1-23 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 0-20; Kilmacud Crokes 1-18 Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 2-15; Kevins 2-14 St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 0-8; Cuala 3-19 St Mark’s 0-10.