It finished Cuala 0-14 to Crokes’ 1-10.
14 man Cuala win first ever Dublin Senior Football Title after late drama in Parnell Park.
A late Eoin Kennedy fisted point sealed victory at the death for Austin O’Malley’s men.
Con O’Callaghan was sent-off in the second-half as Cuala a way to break Crokes’ Dublin dominance.
Blustery conditions met the sides as Storm Ashley made its presence felt across the country.
It was the challengers who started the better, Charlie McMorrow hit Cuala into the lead with a fine effort inside 40 seconds. Crokes got off the mark through Hugh Kenny in the 4th minute to level up the scoring.
After a succession of wides from either team, Cuala regained the lead in the 10th minute, a wonderful pass from David O’Dowd found Con’ O’Callaghan in space who set-up Peadar O’Cofaigh Byrne to fist over a score.
Cuala were frustrating the holders, an ambitious effort from Paul Mannion went to the right of the post, from the resulting kick-out Cuala replied with a point through Michael Fitzsimons to extend the lead to two in the 16th minute.
The Dalkey club were on the charge using the swirling wind to their advantage, Con O’Callaghan got his first of the day while points from first Fitzsimons, then Keating and from Cal Doran pushed the lead to six points just before the break.
Paul Mannion got the final score of the opening half to cut the lead to 0-07 to 0-02 at the break.
Just like the first-half, Cuala got on the scoreboard first, a good team move resulted in Cal Doran getting his second of the day to give his side a 6 point lead.
Crokes’ responded was immediate, Craig Dias curling one over from a tight angle before three minutes later Walsh got his first of the afternoon resulting in Crokes’ first back-to-back scores of the afternoon.
Devon Burns produced a wonderful safe to deny Niall O’Callaghan from close range after a blistering counter-attack, Burns’ tipping over the Cuala full-forwards’ effort.
The save gave Crokes a wake-up call and two quick fire points from first Walsh then Mullen brought it back to a three point game.
Nine time All-Ireland winner Michael Fitzsimons was inspiring his side, he set-up Peter Duffy for a valuable Cuala point.
When Devon Burns was adjudged to have overcarried the ball inside the 13 metre line, it gave the Dalkey side an opportunity to regain a five point lead, Luke Keating duly obliged to a big roar from the travelling fans. Keating’s free being the the first point from a placed ball in the afternoon.
Crokes’ needed some of their big names to set-up, first Mannion found the scoresheet before Walsh pointed from a free to cut the deficit to three and bring hope to the reigning champions.
Cal Doran was influential throughout, his third point came from a move he had initially put in motion with a long-range kick pass.
Direct ball was paying dividends for either side with the swirling wind, a long-range kick pass from Walsh found Mannion who opted for a mark, a sign that the Crokes’ juggernaut was beginning to motor.
The decisive moment of the game came in the 55th minute, a sharp turnover set the Crokes’ counter-attacking wheel in motion, a long-racking Mannion pass found the substitute Luke Ward in space, his left-foot finish flew past Scollard and into the back of the net, bringing the sides level for just the second time.
While there was controversy at the other end of the field, Devon Burns went down holding his head as referee Sean McCarthy was asked to consult his umpires, the outcome was a red card for Cuala’s Con O’Callaghan.
Down to 14 men, Cuala dragged themselves forward, winning a free in injury-time to regain the lead. Luke Keating once again was immaculate and found the post.
A Paul Mannion free deep in stoppage time brought the sides level before Eoin Kennedy found a winner to seal victory for Cuala.
A first Dublin crown for Cuala who now advance to the Leinster Championship while Crokes’ run as Dublin Champions is over as their manager Robbie Brennan turns his attention to leading Meath in 2025.
Full Time: Cuala 0 – 14 Kilmacud Crokes 1 – 100
Cuala: Ryan Scollard, Danny Conroy, Michael Fizsimons, Eoghan O’Callaghan, Eoin Kennedy, Charlie McMorrow, David O’Dowd, Peadar O’Cofaigh Byrne, Peter Duffy, Cillian Dunne, Cathal O’Giollain, Cal Doran, Luke Keating, Niall O’Callaghan, Con O’Callaghan.
Substitutes: Darragh O’Dowd, Luke Tracey, John Fizsimons, Michael Conroy, Conor O’Brien, Conor Mullaly, Shane Mangan, James Power, Conor Groake, Liam Fizgerald, Aodhan English.
Kilmacud Crokes: Devon Burns, Micheal Mullin, Theo Clancy, Dan Brien, Mark O’Leary, Andrew McGowan, James Murphy, Ben Shovlin, Rory O’Carroll, Hugh Kenny, Craig Dias, Dara Mullin, Paul Mannion, Paddy O’Connor Shane Walsh.
Substitutes: David Higgins, Tom Fox, Cian O’ Connor, Hugh Leary, Shane Horan, Aidan Jones, Anthony Quinn, Dan Murphy, Jef Kenny, Luke Ward, Luke O’ Kelly, Shane Cunningham
Referee: Sean McCarthy
