SHC wins for Craobh, O’Toole’s and Ballinteer St John’s

Late goals from Craobh Chiaráins duo, Robbie Mahon and Kieran McGouran, either side of one from St Brigid's Paul Winters from a free, saw the Donnycarney outfit prevail 3-13 to 2-12 in their Dublin SHC 'A' Group 1 encounter at Parnell Park on Friday night.

Alan McCrabbe was the scorer-in-chief for the eventual winners as his personal tally of 1-10 (0-6f, 0-1 '65') helped separate the sides in this evenly balanced contest.

The sides were level after 15 minutes before points from Mahon and McCrabbe and a McCrabbe goal in the 19th minute pushed Craobh ahead.

However, Brigid's responded with a Mark Kavanagh point and Pat Rohan goal and before the interval McCrabbe and Winters, who finished with 1-6 (1-5f), had traded scores to see Craobh ahead by the minimum at the break, 1-9 to 1-8.

Craobh's chances looked to be dented six minutes into the second half when Stephen Kirwan was dismissed and shortly after points from Winters and Daire Plunkett nosed the Russell Park men in front.

McCrabbe then 'stepped up to the plate' with four frees in quick succession before the late goal flurry saw his side prevail.

Also in Group 1 a Liam Ryan hat-trick of goals saw O'Toole's defeat Na Fianna 4-10 to 1-11.

Joey Boland, recently returned from injury, was very prominent in the opening half for the St Mobhi Road side when scoring three points but before the half-time interval former Dublin senior Ryan struck for two goals to see his side lead 2-5 to 0-6.

A Shane Barrett goal for Na Fianna briefly gave them hope in the second period before Ryan raised his third green flag to secure victory.

At O'Toole Park it took a late Fearghal Duffy goal to see Ballinteer St John's beat Faughs 2-14 to 1-16.

St John's were 1-11 to 1-4 to the good at the break but Faughs took control of the game in the second half and looked to have build a winning momentum heading into the final minutes before Duffy's decisive goal.