Clontarf progressed to the last four of the Dublin Under 21 ‘A’ Football Championship whennarrowlydefeatingSt Jude’s by 2-12 to 1-13 in their last-eight clash at Tymon Park.
The hosts looked to have done just enough to prevail but Charlie Costello popped up with a last-minute goal to secure anoteworthywin for Clontarf.
Luke O’Boyle was in sparkling form up front for the visitors as he contributed 1-4 from play with Conor Rooney adding to the ‘Tarf tally with three points.
Midfield was keenly contested with Senan Ryan catching the eye for Clontarf and with Liam Cody, Calum Ahearne and Paddy O’Grady resolute at the back, they eked over the line thanks to further scores from James Kavanagh, Ahearne and Jack Tuite.
It proved even tighter at Páirc Uí Mhurchú as holders Ballyboden St Enda’s required penalties before finally seeing off southside rivals Kilmacud Crokes after the sides finished at 1-14 to 2-11 after extra-time.
In the end, it was left to Jimmy Meaney to convert the winning penalty after home goalkeeper Hugh O’Sullivan had produced a superb save from the previous Crokes kick.
Luke Ward and Ben Kelly scored the Crokes goals, whose tally was augmented over the eighty minutes by a brace of ‘45’s from Theo Clancy.
It was Ward that forced penalties when levelling with the last kick of extra-time but the hosts would not be denied thanks to five Callum O’Dwyer points, a James Greally goal and fine displays by Mick McDonald and Fionn Keating.
In the preliminary round, Ballinteer St John’sdelivered a hugely impressive display as they eased past Skerries Harps by 3-15 to 0-8 in Marley Park.
Despite playing against the breeze in the first-half, the hosts led by double scores at the break with scores by Luke Breathnach, Jack Long and Joey Quirke helping build an 0-8 to 0-4 lead.
Ballinteer continued to impress in the second-half through the efforts of Patrick Coleman, Long, Carl McDonnell, Eamonn Naughton and substitute James Bates with two goals from Oisín Grady and a Coleman effort confirming their victory.
In the ‘B’ Championship, Thomas Davis advanced to the semi-finals as they got the better of Cuala by 3-10 to 3-7 in Hyde Park.
The foundation for their victory lay at the back through the likes of Ciaran Kavanagh and Dennis Ogbana while Jack O’Connor and Sean Benton worked tirelessly to gain an advantage around the middle third.
The bulk of the Thomas Davis scoring was shared by Ryan Fahey (1-6) and Fionn Lynch (2-2) as they benefitted from strong attacking displays from Tadgh Farrelly and Ross Mullarkey.
In Páirc Ciceam, a goal by Killian McGuirk helped Raheny to account for Ballymun Kickhams by 1-13 to 0-9 in their preliminary round encounter.
Dual player Thomas Hurley was a constant threat in the away attack, contributing numerous scores, with goalkeeper Darragh O’Sullivan, Ryan Coyne and Adam McAweeney also enjoying hugely influential displays.
U21 ‘A’ FC preliminary round: Ballinteer St John’s3-15Skerries Harps0-8.
U21 ‘A’ FC quarter-finals: Lucan Sarsfields1-12Na Fianna3-13; Ballyboden St Enda’s1-14Kilmacud Crokes2-11 AET (Boden won on penalties); St Jude’s1-13Clontarf2-12.
U21 ‘B’ FC preliminary round: Ballymun Kickhams0-9Raheny1-13.
U21 ‘B’ FC quarter-finals: Cuala3-7Thomas Davis3-10; St Brigid’s2-17Fingallians0-15.
