Round Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AHL 1 & 2

St Brigid’s began their Go-Ahead Ireland Adult Hurling League Division 1 campaign on a winning note as they defeated Naomh Barróg by 1-11 to 0-11 at Russell Park on Sunday morning.

In difficult, gutsy conditions, scores proved at a premium throughout with the contributions of Paul Winters (0-6) and Adam McGuirk (1-1) for St Brigid’s going a long way in deciding the outcome.

There was never much to separate the teams but the hosts held on thanks to strong performances from the likes of Cathal Doyle, Donnacha Ryan, Jack Hannan and Jonathan McGuirk.

Across in Páirc Naomh Uinsionn,Cuala started the year on the front foot as they registered a 1-17 to 1-11 away win at St Vincent’s.

Jack Twomey and Kevin Kirwan worked tirelessly throughout with the latter scoring Cuala’s goal and the visitors made sure of the win courtesy of regular scoring contributions from Sean Moran, Jamie Conroy and Cormac Spain.

Both Lucan Sarsfields and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh also recorded wins against St Jude’s and Faughs respectively while Ballyboden St Enda’s A proved too strong for Ballyboden St Enda’s B on Saturday lunchtime.

Adam Kelleher and Pearce Christie shone up front for the winners, who built up a sizeable lead through the free-taking of Darragh Kenny.

Go-Ahead AHL1: Faughs 1-11 St Oliver Plunkett’s /ER 3-10; Kilmacud Crokes v Na Fianna OFF; St Vincent’s 1-11 Cuala 1-17; Ballyboden St Enda’s A 5-23 Ballyboden St Enda’s B0-15; St Brigid’s 1-11 Naomh Barróg 0-11; St Jude’s 1-25 Lucan Sarsfields 4-22.

In the Go-Ahead AHL2, Ballinteer St John’s delivered an impressive defensive display enroute to their 1-12 to 0-8 victory over Castleknock at Marley Park.

The hosts gained a firm grip on proceedings through the efforts of Iain Ó Heithir, Matthew Tully and Jack Gilligan while six points from Tom Aherne and 1-2 by Seamus Fenton ensured a winning start for St John’s.

There was another home success at Broomfield as St Sylvester’s proved too strong for Erin’s Isle, winning by 4-14 to 1-8.

Ciaran McLoughney plundered a hat-trick of goals for the Malahide outfit with Cian Whitney also impressing up front as he amassed 1-8 (0-4f) over the hour.

The performances of Daragh McLoughney, Sean Foley and Donnacha Canavan ensured that Syls remained in control of matters as they eased home through further scores from Sean Murphy, Gavin Hydes, Canavan, Jamie Wogan and Conall deBúrca.

The other matches saw Thomas Davis and Craobh Chiaráin enjoy home wins over Clontarf and Naomh Mearnóg respectively while Kilmacud Crokes picked up an away win against Raheny.

Go-Ahead AHL2: St Sylvester’s 4-14 Erin’s Isle 1-8; Whitehall Colmcille Fingallians OFF; Craobh Chiaráin 2-16 Naomh Mearnóg 1-13; Ballinteer St John’s1-12 Castleknock 0-8; Raheny 0-12 Kilmacud Crokes 0-15; Thomas Davis1-15 Clontarf 0-5.