Round Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AFL 1

Kilmacud Crokes produced an impressive attacking performance as they eased past Clontarf by 4-17 to 0-10 in Round 2 of Division 1 of the Go-Ahead Ireland Adult Football League in Páirc de Búrcaon Sunday morning.

In what was their season opener, the hosts understandably took their time to settle but struck for three goals through Pádraig Purcell, Aidan Jones and Tom Fox to turn the tide in their favour.

Kilmacud continued on the front foot as points by Dara Mullin, Mark O’Leary, Paul Mannion and Craig Dias helped build a healthy 3-10 to 0-6 buffer by half-time.

While Clontarf started the second-half brightly once again, a brace of two-pointed scores from Mannion and a Cian O’Connor goal early in the final quarter saw them run out comfortable winners.

There was another noteworthy home win at Páirc Ui Mhurchúas Ballyboden St Enda’s defeated Na Fianna by 2-19 to 2-13 with Colm Basquel, who played the first-half, leading the way for Boden while Eoin Murchan also managed a half for Na Fianna on his return from injury.

Matters proved far tighter at Marley Park as St Mary’s Saggart pipped Ballinteer St John’s by 2-9 to 1-11, with Adam Drewett kicking the winning score deep into added time.

The hosts raced out of the blocks courtesy of a two-pointed score from Eoghan Fitzpatrick and further points by Jack Long, Jack Lundy, Mark McNally and David Murray saw them seize the early initiative.

The visitors limited the damage before the break as Shane Buckley kicked three points to leave his side trailing by 0-7 to 0-3 by the interval.

St Mary’s maintained that momentum after the break with a goal from Alex Darcy and two points by Conor Jameson helping them edge in front before Lundy replied with a two-pointer for Ballinteer to restore parity.

A goal from Blaine Kelly looked to have decided the issue in St Mary’s favour but Luke Cullen fired home soon after for St John’s, leaving Drewett the hero of the hour with his dramatic late intervention.

All-Ireland champions Cuala also got up and running on a positive note as they defeated Fingal Ravens by 4-14 to 1-11 in Rolestown.

The likes of Cillian Dunne, Cal Doran, Eoin Kennedy and Michael Conroy ensured that the visitors remained in control for the large part with an excellent Shane Mangan goal and seven Tom Magee points sealing their victory.

There was another away win in Broomfield as St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh produced a strong first-half display on their way to a comfortable 2-11 to 0-8 victory over St Sylvester’s.

Paul Brogan led the way for the visitors with 1-2 from full-forward while Luke Hughes impressed on his senior debut with a personal tally of 0-4.

Jack Carroll also chipped in with 1-2 as Plunkett’s built up a 2-7 to 0-4 interval lead with further scores by Jack O’Shea, Craig Dunleavy, Irinel Popa and Ben McSweeney seeing them home without much alarm.

Go-Ahead Ireland AFL1: St Sylvester’s 0-8 St Oliver Plunkett’s /ER 2-11; Thomas Davis 3-10 St Patrick’s Donabate 2-17; Ballinteer St John’s 1-11 St Mary’s Saggart 2-9; Ballyboden St Enda’s 2-19 Na Fianna 2-13; Fingal Ravens 1-11 Cuala 4-11; Kilmacud Crokes 4-17 Clontarf 0-10; Castleknock 3-12 Ballymun Kickhams 1-18; St Jude’s 3-21 Lucan Sarsfields 2-13.