Round Up: Go-Ahead Ireland AFL 2

Na Fianna remain undefeated in Division 2 of the Go-Ahead Ireland Adult Football Leagueas they registered a narrow 2-9 to 0-12 win against Naomh Mearnóg at St Mobhi Road.

After drawing with Kilmacud Crokes in Round 1, a similar outcome looked likely in the dying stages but the hosts were forced to ride their luck to hold on for a three-point victory.

There was little to separate the teams in a tense first-half that saw Mearnóg lead by 0-4 to 0-3 at the break but second-half goals from Niall Cooper and Ben Kane helped turn the tide in Na Fianna’s favour.

With Eoin Kilkenny impressing at the back and Diarmuid Clerkin to the fore at midfield, Na Fianna looked set for victory as Tristan Donnelly kicked a trio of excellent scores to keep his side on the front foot.

A missed penalty for Na Fianna with two minutes remaining spared Mearnóg their fate initially but with the last kick of the game, they missed a spot kick of their own in an eventful conclusion to the contest.

It proved similarly tense at Páirc Barróg as Naomh Barróg pipped St Brigid’s by 2-12 to 3-8.

Despite playing against the slight breeze in the opening half, the hosts settled well through early scores from Harry Nolan, Matthew Nolan and Paul Tolan.

St Brigid’s struck back with a fortuitous goal but a misplaced kick out at the opposite end allowed Ryan Alexander the chance to release Harry Nolan and his goal left the sides deadlocked at 1-4 apiece by half-time.

The visitors raced clear in the early stages of the second-half as they hit 1-3 without reply and Barróg’s cause looked forlorn when they were reduced to fourteen players following the dismissal of their goalkeeper.

However, they dug deep through the defensive excellence of Eoin Harte and Cathal Rogers while Conor Gibson and Aodhán O’Donoghue gained a platform from midfield as the contest evolved.

Paul Tolan (penalty) and Philly Ryan exchanged goals but the momentum turned in the hosts’ favour as Harry Nolan and Paul Tolan kicked two-pointed scores and it was left to the latter to kick the winning score in added time, bringing his personal tally to 1-6 by the final whistle.

Elsewhere, Skerries Harps, Naomh Olaf and St Vincent’s picked up narrow away wins at Scoil Ui Chonaill, Whitehall Colmcille and Templeogue Synge Street respectively while Raheny enjoyed a resounding victory over Naomh Fionnbarra.

Go-Ahead AFL2: Scoil Uí Chonaill 0-12 Skerries Harps2-11; Whitehall Colmcille 2-10 Naomh Olaf1-15; Templeogue Synge Street 1-10 St Vincent’s 3-6; Fingallians 1-15 Kilmacud Crokes 3-12; Naomh Barróg 2-12 St Brigid’s 3-8; Naomh Fionnbarra 0-2 Raheny 5-16; Pobail Parnell 2-10 Round Towers Lusk 2-15; Na Fianna 2-9 Naomh Mearnóg 0-12.