Commercials’ Ó Dúlaing does the damage in Inter dual with Towers

COMMERCIALS have all but secured a place in the knockout stages of the Intermediate Hurling Championship, with Diarmuid Ó Dúlaing striking 2- 15 to see them past Round Towers in style.

A blitzkrieg in the second-half pushed Commercials to a huge 3-26 to 1-15 victory over their Clondalkin counterparts at Collegeland on Saturday.

Much of the Commercials team could play at Under 21 level, such is the belief that the management team lead by Sean Power has showed in the youth of the club.

And the young guns have repaid the management for their faith in them in spades, with 19- year-old Ó Dúlaing and his forward companion Adam Drewett electric in front of goal last Saturday.

Having made his debut for the Dublin Senior hurlers earlier this year, 19-year-old Ó Dúlaing showed why when he struck 2-4 from play and converted 0-11 from deadball situations.

Disapatched at corner forward meanwhile was Drewett, who contributed four-points from play while veteran Gearoid Keogh hit a late goal to see off Towers.

Much of Commercials’ incision came about through the highly efficient puckout of goalkeeper Shane Clohessy, with Dublin Under 20 panelist David Dungan also returning to action at wing-back recently to put his mark on their campaign.

Despite Commercials running away with the result in the end, Towers did put up a good fight for 40-minutes of the encounter, keeping it to a one-point game at times.

Former Dublin senior hurler Alex O’Neill, current Leitrim senior hurler Joe Murray and Underdogs football captain Eric Finn all featured in the attack for the Monastery Road outfit.

Craig Doherty of Towers tackles Commercial’s David Dungan Photo by Paddy Barrett

With 10-teams competing in the Intermediate Championship, it is split into two five-team round robin groups.

The top teams in each group progress straight into the semi-final, whilst second and third go into the quarters and fourth and fifth go into the relegation play-offs.

Fingallians, Commercials and Lucan have guaranteed spots in the knockout stages thanks to their performances so far – what remains to be decided is the order they come out of the group in.

Fingallians are by far and away the strongest team across the whole championship, and they are playing relegation battlers Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Meanwhile, Commercials and Lucan Sarsfields are set to meet on September 2, and with both pushing to qualify higher out of the group it is gearing up to be a fascinating dual in Rathcoole.

For full access to all content on Echo.ie and to support the continuation of local news and local journalism in your community subscribe HERE.

Thanks for your ongoing support.