Round Up: Go-Ahead Senior 3 and Intermediate Hurling Finals

Naomh Mearnóg claimed the Go Ahead Dublin Senior 3 Hurling Championship title when overcoming Raheny by 1-14 to 0-14 at O’Toole Park on Saturday afternoon.

Extra-time looked a distinct possibility during an absorbing final quarter but Mearnóg pounced for the all-important goal in the 60^th minute through substitute Cian Madden to complete a deserved success.

The Portmarnock side seized the initiative in the first-half and they should have entered the break with a healthier advantage than the 0-10 to 0-5 interval lead that they enjoyed.

A total of twenty-six wides reflected their issues in front of goal but also highlighted their general control in open play with Liam Mullins scoring eight points over the hour, three of which came from open play.

At the opposite end of the field, their full-back line of Tom Cosgrove, Rory O’Loughlin and Jack Keogh never allowed their direct opponents to settle although Raheny were always likely to launch a second-half comeback, given the quality in their ranks.

Liam Dunne also managed an octet of points, half of which came from play, and they kept in contention thanks to the scoring contributions of Thomas Hurley (0-3), Adam McAweeney (0-2) and Seán Grenham (0-1).

However, with Joey Kinnane a towering presence at midfield, Naomh Mearnóg kept their nerve with Sean Hawkshaw (0-2) and Chris Farrelly threatening in their inside-forward lines while further scores from Bernard Deay, Diarmuid Keevey, Kinnane and Shane Nangle proved their weight in gold by the final whistle.

In Parnell Park, the accuracy of Fingallians in front of goal proved telling as the Swords outfit defeated St Vincent’s by 4-17 to 3-10 to secure the Go Ahead Dublin Intermediate Hurling Championship title.

Despite Kevin Lillis netting early on for Vinnies, it was Fins that played the more compelling hurling in the opening-half with two goals in quick succession from Michael Rock and Seán Hickey turning the tide in their favour.

Matters deteriorated for the Marino side as Hickey added his second goal three minutes before the break to leave his side well-placed with a 3-11 to 1-8 interval lead.

Their scoring dried up slightly upon the restart as the teams shared just four points in the third quarter but the final quarter started with Fingallians effectively settling the issue thanks to a 46^th minute goal by Oisin Johnston.

St Vincent’s refused to accept their fate however, driven on as they were by their captain Tom Hunter and Rory Finn in midfield, while Rory Pocock and Jack Collins tightened up matters at the back as the contest evolved.

They were rewarded for their perseverance through a goal from a free by minor Ken Ryan while Hunter added a third goal from a goalmouth scramble late on.

However, the damage was done by that stage with Hickey finishing the game with 2-5 to his name while Rock (1-2) and Eoin O’Connor (0-4) also made solid scoring contributions for the winners.