SHC ‘A’ round-up: Vincent’s win at ease; O’Toole’s too strong for Na Fianna

ST VINCENT'S 6-21 PARNELL'S 0-13

Two goals each from Diarmuid Connolly and Alan Moore saw St Vincent's romp to a comprehensive 26-point victory in this SHC 'A' Group 1 clash at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

Full-forward Connolly's brace came in the eighth and 19th minutes of the opening half and by the interval the Marino men were 3-9 to 0-9 clear.

His first was kicked to the net on the rebound from close range after his younger brother Tomás' goal effort had been parried by Jamie Dennieffe while his used his acceleration to create the opening for the second before rifling low to the net from 18 metres.

Kevin McMahon got Vinnies third goal and by the interval they were well on their way to victory.

They held the upperhand throughout with Cathal Billings strong at full-back and John Hethterton's massive clearances and precision deliveries keeping Parnell's under pressure.

Parnell's struggled to mount a sustained period of pressure with the deadball accuracy of Andrew Shore their primary source of scores.

In the second period Vincent's continued to dominate with brothers Cian and Sean McBride firing over some fine points for the eventual winners.

Moore showed a fine eye for goal in the second period when raising green flags in the 45th and 53rd minutes while Tomás McGrane was rewarded for his efforts with a late goal.

O'TOOLE'S 1-27 NA FIANNA 2-15

The Larriers were too good and probably too experienced for Na Fianna in their SHC 'A' Group 3 clash which provided the curtain-raiser at Parnell Park.

Their midfield duo of Andrew Morris, who amassed 0-7 from play, and Conor Carton set the tempo for the Ayrfield men as despite the best efforts of Martín Quilty they were the better side for the majority of the game.

The long-range accuracy of O'Toole's was exceptional as the likes of Morris, Michael Carton and Conor Carton helped them and early lead in the game.

By the break O'Toole's led 0-14 to 0-6 after striking five unanswered points at the close of the half though Graham Morris, Conor Carton (free), Christy Mulligan and two from Andrew Morris.

AJ Murphy's 38th minute goal cut the deficit to 0-18 to 1-9 but crucially only two minutes later Peadar Carton cut clear of the Na Fianna cover before driving the sliotar clinically to the net.

O'Toole's held a 12-point advantage going down the home straight before Fergal Breathnach grabbed a late consolation goal from the St Mobhi Road lads.

In O’Toole Park, Faughs got the better of St Brigid’s by 1-24 to 2-12 to book their berth in the quarter-finals.

Ciarán Brennan the Faughs goal while Dublin minor Chris Bennett scored six points from play. Faughs advance to face St Jude’s in their quarter-final.

Colm Cronin starred for Cuala when scoring 1-4 in their 2-16 to 1-8 win against Craobh Chiaráin.

DUBLIN SHC ‘A’ QUARTER-FINALS

Kilmacud Crokes v St Vincent’s

Cuala v Ballyboden St Enda’s

O'Toole’s v Lucan Sarsfields

St Jude’s v Faughs