Kickhams get off to a flyer

Pre-championship favourites Ballymun Kickhams got their Dublin SFC campaign off to a winning start as they recorded a comfortable victory over Naomh Olaf at Parnell Park last night.

The 2012 winners struggled initially, with James Burke palming into his own net within 20 seconds and Kickhams fell further behind following a brace of fine scores by Shane Whyte.

However, Kickhams dominated the final 10 minutes of the half with scores by Derek Byrne and Liam O’Donovan ensuring a 0-9 to 1-4 interval lead.

Last year’s beaten finalists highlighted their strength in depth when introducing John Small, Kevin Leahy and Dean Rock early in the second half and Rock’s centre enabled Philly McMahon to palm home a goal in the 38th minute to cement his side’s dominance.

At Blakestown Road, late points by Paul Casey and Andy Hope helped Lucan Sarsfields to a 1-7 to 1-5 victory over Parnells, with the Coolock men failing to score from play over the hour.

Lucan enjoyed a 1-3 to 0-3 interval lead with Brendan Gallagher netting but a penalty from Darragh Joyce early in the second half levelled matters before Sarsfields finished the stronger.

In Kiltipper Road, Denis Bastick kicked three second-half points to help Templeogue Synge Street progress by 0-14 to 1-5 against St Mary’s Saggart, with inter-county star Eoghan O’Gara dismissed on a black card for Synge Street.

County champions St Vincent’s cruised into the last 16 with first-half goals from Diarmuid Connolly, Shane Carthy and Tomás Quinn helping them past St Patrick’s Palmerstown.

The second half continued in a similar vein with Vinnies reflecting their dominance through further scores by Connolly and Albert Martin. Colm Driver hit a consolation goal for Pat’s.