LAST YEAR’S FINALISTS Castleknock avoided another first round surprise exit in the Dublin SFC as they beat Templeogue Synge Street this evening.

Last night saw 2016 All-Ireland champions Ballyboden St Enda’s dumped out by St Oliver Plunketts in a star-studded affair, but Ciaran Kilkenny’s Castleknock averted similar circumstances with a three-point win over Templeogue.

The Northsiders were first off the mark with Kilkenny and Paul Burke registering the first scores of the evening. Templeogue kept in touch however but Castleknock went in for half time three points up.

The gap was narrowed to one not long after the interval, but Kilkenny and Seamus O’Carroll powered on to point Castleknock to victory.

Meanwhile, semi-finalists last time around Ballymun Kickhams hit five goals on their way to a comprehensive win over St Pat’s Palmerstown.

The half time score was 3-11 to 1-3 in favour of Ballymun, and they closed the game out with an impressive 5-17 tally. Dean Rock’s side are in pursuit of a fourth county title.

Niall O’Callaghan, younger brother of Con, hit two goals and Luke Keating added a third to inspire Cuala to victory over Raheny.

Elsewhere, there was a goal in the difference as Skerries Harps came from behind to see off Fingallians, while there were wins for Lucan Sarsfields and Na Fianna.

Dublin SFC first round

• Skerries Harps 2-10 Fingallians 1-10
• UCD 0-16 Lucan Sarsfields 4-18
• Castleknock 0-11 Templeogue Synge Street 0-8
• Ballymun Kickhams 5-17 St Pat’s Palmerstown 2-6
• Raheny 0-17 Cuala 3-12
• Na Fianna 2-14 Naomh Olaf 0-11

The42 GAA / SoundCloud

– An earlier version of this article had an incorrect final score for Na Fianna v Naomh Olaf. It finished Na Fianna 2-14 Naomh Olaf 0-11.

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