Mayo man guides Cuala to Dublin football glory

LOUISBURGH’S Austin O’Malley has written himself in Dublin football history after guiding his Cuala team to their first county senior title in extraordinary circumstances in Parnell Park today.

The former Mayo inter-county forward masterminded the dethroning of Kilmacud Crokes on a 0-14 to 1-10 scoreline in thrilling decider where Cuala’s star forward Con O’Callaghan was sent off in the closing stages.

However, the Dalkey men refused to panic and a late Eoin Kennedy fisted-point sealed victory at the death for O’Malley’s men.

Blustery conditions met the sides as Storm Ashley made its presence felt across the country and 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 fourth minute to level up the scoring. However, Cuala had the breeze on their backs and built up a six-point lead before Dublin star Paul Mannion closed the gap to five at the break, 0-7 to 0-2.

Crokes had the wind on their backs in the second half but Cuala showed great composure to remain in front. However, Shane Walsh, Craig Dias and Mannion kept the reigning champions in touch. The gap was down to three after 54 minutes when Luke Ward blasted home a goal to level the scores.

That was a big blow for Cuala and worse was to come when Con O’Callaghan was sent off after the umpires consulted the referee. However, O’Malley has instilled a huge sense of resilience in the Dalkey men and Cuala dragged themselves forward, winning a free in injury-time to regain the lead.

A Paul Mannion free deep in stoppage time brought the sides level again before Eoin Kennedy found a winner to seal victory for Cuala. The final whistle signaled a first Dublin crown for for the new champions who now advance to the Leinster Championship with the Louisburgh man at the wheel.