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St Finian’s Swords secured their second win of the year when getting the better of Thomas Davis by 0-17 to 1-12 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Adult Football League Division 3 clash at Ridgewood Park on Saturday evening.
The heroics of goalkeeper Stephen McNally kept the hosts in touch in the first-half with three superb saves allowing his side to enter the break trailing by just two points (0-7 to 0-5).
St Finian’s wasted little time in taking control after the turnaround with scores by Ciaran McGrath and Fergal O’Dea edging them in front and a superb two-pointed effort by Scott Brennan moved the hosts six points clear.
Another wonderful save from McNally held maintain that buffer and while he was finally beaten from the penalty spot, the hosts held on with substitute Fintan Martin kicking a superb insurance score.
Clontarf also moved away from the basement as they enjoyed a 2-13 to 0-14 victory over Trinity Gaels in Drumnigh.
Kevin Lillis once again highlighted his score-getting prowess with a personal tally of 2-7 with the visitors keeping their marginal lead courtesy of further scores by Conor Rooney (0-3), Patrick Mohan and Charlie Costello.
At the opposite end of the table, a trio of teams lead the way on eight points with BallybodenSt Enda’s and Clanna Gael Fontenoy still undefeated following their draws with St Margaret’s and Ballyboughal respectively.
Go-Ahead Ireland AFL3: Ballyboughal 2-18 Clanna Gael Fontenoy 2-18; St Anne’s 1-16 St Maur’s 1-18; Trinity Gaels 0-14 Clontarf 2-13; Erin’s Isle 4-12 Cuala 2-10; Round Towers Clondalkin 3-16Ballymun Kickhams 2-8; Clann Mhuire 6-22 St Patrick’s Palmerstown 0-7; St Finian’s Swords 0-17 Thomas Davis 1-12; Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-19 St Margaret’s 3-10.
In Go-Ahead Ireland AFL4, leaders St Vincent’s finally tasted defeat for the first time this campaign as they succumbed to Castleknock by 0-18 to 1-10 at Somerton Park.
That defeat allowed Garristown to join them at the top of the table as they made the long but fruitful journey to Marley Park, overcoming Ballinteer St John’s by 2-13 to 2-9.
In Broomfield, St Sylvester’s enhanced their promotion prospects as they overcame St Peregrine’s by 1-17 to 1-12.
The hosts trailed by 0-9 to 1-3 at half-time with Cian Whitney’s goal following fine approach play by Luke Troy keeping them in touch.
Syls improved significantly after the break, driven on by strong defensive showings from Sean Mulvey, Fionn Carney and Cian Roche while Whitney continued to impress around the middle third.
Troy was another to shine throughout and he received strong support up front from Sean Curran and Gavin Harbourne as they pulled way for a five-point win.
The margins were far tighter in Silver Park as Kilmacud Crokes registered their first win of the year as they pipped Lucan Sarsfields by 4-9 to 2-14.
The likes of Gavin English, Jonny Gossen, Oisín McCann and Sean Aherne ensured that Crokes remained competitive throughout while Michael Brennan enjoyed a hugely influential second-half for the hosts.
McCann chipped in with a deserved goal with the remaining green flags raised by Barra O’Donoghue, Paddy Corbett and Alex Kenny.
Go-Ahead IrelandAFL4: O’Toole’s 2-14 Man O’War 2-17; St Sylvester’s 1-17 St Peregrine’s 1-12; Good Counsel/Liffey Gaels 4-16 Geraldine P. Moran 4-8; Ballinteer St John’s 2-9 Garristown 2-13; Kilmacud Crokes 4-9 Lucan Sarsfields 2-14; Fingal Ravens 3-17 St Jude’s 0-13; Castleknock0-18 St Vincent’s 1-10.