The first quarter final of the 2014 Dublin Senior Hurling Championship was played in Parnell Park on Friday evening. O’Toole’s were victorious over a highly rated Lucan Sarsfields team. Although O’Toole’s were two points down at the half time interval, they managed to secure a ten point victory, 1-20 to 0-13.
It was obvious the battle in midfield would be a key area. It was O’Toole’s who got the better of their opponents as Andy Morris and Conor Carton quelled the majority of attacks instigated by the formidable Lucan duo of Mick May and Johnny McCaffrey. O’Toole’s corner forward Christy Mulligan scored the only goal of the game with 52 minutes played, which furthered O’Toole’s lead. The Coolock outfit are now the only representative from north Dublin left in the competition.
The second match on Friday evening saw Kilmacud Crokes defeat St Vincent’s by nine points. Crokes were leading at half time by one point, 0-07 to 0-06, in a subdued first half where Tomas McGrane and Sean McGrath exchanged frees in a tightly contested opening. Vinnies implemented a physical game plan to try and rattle one of the favourites in this year’s Championship.
The second half began with the same focused aggression of the first. David Garland’s 39th minute red card was the turning point in this ferocious and frantic encounter. The St Vincent’s half back was given his marching orders by referee James Brennan after a reckless challenge on Sean McGrath of Kilmacud Crokes.
Crokes made the most of their numerical advantage with Dublin inter-county star Ryan O’Dwyer pointing consecutive scores which added to his superb goal. Ross O’Carroll ensured victory for the Stillorgan outfit after embarking on a marauding run from midfield before neatly slotting the sliotar in the bottom corner of the Vinnies net.
It was unfortunate that this eagerly anticipated quarter final was ultimately decided by a controversial sending off. However, Ollie Baker and his team will now turn their attention to the tough task of bookies favourites Ballyboden St Enda’s in the semi final.
St Jude’s progressed to the semi final in the first of Sunday’s quarter finals played in O’Toole Park. The result was never in doubt as St Jude’s lead from start to finish. Similar to the Kilmacud Crokes and St Vincent’s match, it was a red card which turned the tie in favour of one team. Faughs centre back Patrick Robinson was sent off for an off the ball incident with just ten minutes played. St Jude’s capitalised on their extra man and pushed on to record a comprehensive victory.
Dublin’s Danny Sutcliffe spearheaded a gallant St Jude’s attack and the favourites going into the match eventually were victorious by 15 points, 0-22 to 0-07. Faughs had no answer to a more powerful and skilful team who looked the hungrier of the two on the day.
In the last quarter final of the round, Ballyboden St Enda’s saw off a courageous challenge from Cuala by a solitary point, 0-15 to 0-14. With Paul Ryan on fine form for the Rathfarnham outfit, Ballyboden had a lead of six points at the interval. Cuala battled back strongly as soon as the second half began.
They scored five unanswered points but ultimately fell short, under-performing in the first 30 minutes. Cuala could have drawn level at the death but Barry Connelly’s free from the half way line curled wide. It was a matter of inches which saw Cuala bow out of this years Championship. Ballyboden will know there is plenty of room for improvement before the challenge of Kilmacud Crokes in the pick of the semi finals.
Full list of Dublin Senior Hurling Championship semi final matches:
O’Toole’s vs St Jude’s
Kilmacud Crokes vs Ballyboden St Enda’s
Both matches will take place on Saturday October 11th in Parnell Park with throw in times still to be confirmed.
