Crokes can stay on a winning streak

DUBLIN SHC 'A' GROUP A

BALLINTEER ST JOHN'S v KILMACUD CROKES

(O'Toole Park, Tonight, 7.15)

CROKES are moving well. Two wins from two. The morale is good. So is the Stillorgan bench. Against Craobh, they were able to call Conor Clinton, Barry O'Rorke and James Burke from the dugout.

Ross O'Carroll had a night at the opera. Dillon Mulligan was diligent and Ryan O'Dwyer left Crumlin with 2-1 in the satchel.

Ballinteer also enjoyed some prosperous passages against the Craobh. Aodhán Clabby hit two goals. Oisín Power and Glen Whelan are tidy finishers.

This will be another stiff exam for the Marlay men. Crokes will want to maintain their momentum as they sprint with purpose towards the last eight. And the keen competition for places will ensure that their focus will be as sharp as a tack.

SO FAR -- Ballinteer St John's: Lost to Craobh Chiarain, 2-15 to 2-9. Lost to St Pat's (P), 2-12 to 1-12. Kilmacud Crokes: Beat St Pat's (P), 2-12 to 2-9. Beat Craobh Chiarain, 3-11 to 0-9.

VERDICT: Kilmacud Crokes

DUBLIN SHC 'A' GROUP A

CRAOBH CHIARAIN v ST PATRICK'S (P)

(Parnell Park, Tonight, 7.15)

THIS will be a tricky one for the Craobh. Pat's will ask them a few awkward questions.

Alan McCrabbe was in inspired form when Chiaráins overcame Ballinteer in their first game. The noble stickman hit ten points. But he also picked up a shoulder injury that kept him out of the next assignment against Crokes. The Craobh missed him and he's not expected back yet.

Pat's gave Crokes a jolt with their second half revival - Dave O'Hanlon struck two goals. Their triumph over Ballinteer gives them a chance of making the quarters. Craobh will have to be rocking from the get-go. Anything less and it could be St Patrick's Night.

SO FAR -- Craobh Chiarain: Beat Ballinteer, 2-15 to 2-9. Lost to Kilmacud, 3-11 to 0-9. St Patrick's (P): Lost to Kilmacud Crokes, 2-12 to 2-9. Beat Ballinteer St John's, 2-12 to 1-12.

VERDICT: Craobh Chiaráin

DUBLIN SHC 'A' GROUP B

ST JUDE'S v CRUMLIN

(Kiltipper Road, Tonight, 7.15)

CRUMLIN gave Brigid's a run for it. They have to win here to stay on the dance floor.

They showed admirable conviction against last year's semi-finalists. Wesley O'Brien and Rodney Elliott impressed. A win for Jude's and they'll be dining with the Big Eight. They produced a stormer to overcome Brigid's.

Jude's always play a crisp brand of hurling, and they also have the sand-bags on call. When Brigid's staged their comeback, the Jude's back door was made of steel. Stephen Larkin and Sam Lehane were at the till, and the Tymon troops have splendid performers in Ger McManus, Fiachra Feore and John Ryan.

It's possible that Danny Sutcliffe could return from injury. If Danny Boy plays, the Templeogue Tenors will be in full voice.

SO FAR -- St Jude's: Beat St Brigid's, 1-10 to 1-9. Crumlin: Lost to St Brigid's, 1-15 to 2-10.

VERDICT:St Jude's

- NIALL SCULLY