Pic Courtesy Matthew Burke
Naomh Barróg and St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh progressed to the last four of the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship after hard-earned wins against Thomas Davis and Raheny respectively on Saturday afternoon.
At Kiltipper Road, Naomh Barróg fought back from a 2-6 to 0-8 interval deficit to overcome Thomas Davis by 2-21 to 3-14 with Joe Flanagan leading the way with a personal tally of 1-10.
Flanagan’s tally included three points from play and a second-half penalty and his influence was matched by the excellent Sean Gallagher, who finished with four points to his name.
The visitors were further boosted by 1-1 off the bench from Eoin Harte with the likes of Conor Gibson, Aodán Ó Donnchú, Nathan Kidd, Ciaran Gallagher and Paddy Doyle keeping Barróg on the front foot by the final whistle.
It proved even tighter at Martin Savage Park as Plunkett’s edged Raheny by 2-17 to 0-22 after extra-time with their goals coming through Brian McDonnell and Neil Clerkin in the first-half.
Their reward is a last four date with Faughs while Naomh Barróg will meet Kilmacud Crokes in the remaining semi-final.
The relegation play-offs were equally thrilling as Castleknock and Naomh Mearnóg preserved their Senior 2 status following narrow victories over Ballyboden St Enda’s and Ballinteer St John’s respectively.
In Páirc Uí Mhurchú, Castleknock recovered for a nine-point deficit to eventually see off Ballyboden by 0-25 to 0-23.
Neil Hogan proved their scorer-in-chief as he accumulated fifteen points over the hour while Cian Boyle (0-3) and Cian Ó Dúlaing (0-2) also made significant contributions on the scoreboard.
Hogan’s switch to centre-forward after the break proved a masterstroke while centre-back Conor Murray and Niall O’Callaghan also shone as the tide began to turn in Castleknock’s favour.
The hosts proved powerless to stall their momentum, as the visitors confirmed their win thanks to strong showings by Rueben Cahill, Oisín Ó Flannagáin, Boyle and substitutes Andrew Hughes and Eoin Sawyer.
In SHC3, both Erin’s Isle and Fingallians confirmed their last four berths as they enjoyed home wins against St Sylvester’s and Setanta.
In Farnham Drive, the hosts dominated after the break en route to a 1-23 to 0-15 victory with goalkeeper Senan Clarke, Darragh Gorman, Ian Fitzpatrick, Robyn Fitzpatrick and Fran Carroll all impressing.
The same could be said for Ollie Gaffney, who clipped over 0-12, and with Conor Donohoe adding 1-2, Isles pulled away thanks to further returns by Mikie Donohoe (0-3), Nathan Fitzgerald (0-3) and Tadhg Gorman (0-2).
At Lawless Park, Mick Rock netted a hat-trick as Fingallians held off Setanta by 4-17 to 2-17 and the Swords outfit now meet Na Fianna in the semi-finals while Isles will face Clontarf.
Both relegation play-offs went right down to the wire with St Vincent’s edging Cuala by 3-15 to 2-16 while Naomh Fionnbarra pipped O’Toole’s by 1-18 to 0-19 in The Bogies.
The Larriers raced four points clear in the early stages but a goal from Jay Roe helped settle the hosts, who did enough to prevail thanks to solid displays at the back from John Bailey and Adam Milne, the free-taking of Chris O’Brien and positive showings off the bench by Ger Dodrill and Eamonn Dillon.
Go-Ahead Ireland SHC2 quarter-finals: Thomas Davis 3-14 Naomh Barróg 2-21; St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 2-17 Raheny 0-22 AET.
Go-Ahead Ireland SHC2 relegation: Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-23 Castleknock 0-25; Naomh Mearnóg 1-17 Ballinteer St John’s 1-15.
Go-Ahead Ireland SHC3 quarter-finals: Erin’s Isle 1-23 St Sylvester’s 0-15; Fingallians 4-17 Setanta 2-17.
Go-Ahead Ireland SHC3 relegation: Naomh Fionnbarra 1-18 O’Toole’s 0-19; Cuala 2-16 St Vincent’s 3-15.
