The countdown is on to the 2024 Dublin senior football final
For the third time in four seasons, we’re facing into an all-southside Go Ahead Ireland Dublin senior football final after Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala emerged from the weekend’s semi-finals.
Crokes, who will be hoping to claim a fourth title on the spin before the end of the month, were just about able to keep Na Fianna at arm’s length yesterday at Parnell Park, emerging 1-12 to 0-12 victors.
A big moment in the game arrived just before half time as Mark O’Leary scored the game’s only goal after good work in the build up by Dara Mullin. Crokes had the lead stretched out to six early in the second half but the Mobhi Road men, to their credit, battled back into the tie.
They had the gap cut to two but Crokes are in the habit of winning and, helped by a late red card for Fiachra Pott, they continued their outstanding run.
“We started pretty well and went five up,” Robbie Brennan told FM104 Sport after the game.
“I thought we were in control but, as we have done in previous matches, we took the foot off the gas a little bit. Massive credit to Na Fianna, they came back into it and put is to the pin of our collar.
“I was disappointed coming in at half time because from five up suddenly it was looking like it was going to be very close and the goal masked that. We made sure the boys were aware of that.
“We finished it out strongly and did enough, just about, to get over the line.
“Cuala look extremely impressive at the moment. They’re transitioning really quickly with the ball and obviously (they’ve) a massive midfield, and massive firepower up front with the likes of Con and Niall [O’Callaghan, brothers].
“We’ll have our hands full, that’s for sure, but we’re looking forward to it now.”
Cuala, who enjoyed such incredible success on the hurling fields in the last decade, will aim to win their first ever senior football crown on October 20th.
They’ve looked in imperious form throughout their run to the final, winning their four games up to Saturday’s semi-final by a combined total of 48 points.
The assuredness in the team was only reinforced by their finish against Ballymun Kickhams. Con O’Callaghan slotted a close range free in the 42nd minute to move them ahead in the game and 0-09 to 0-08, and they would outscore Kickhams from there by seven points to a goal.
Dean Robertson’s late major a mere consolation for the Mun in game that ended 0-16 to 1-08 in favour of the southsiders.
What a final it sets us up for with current and former Dublin stars in both teams; Dan O’Brien, Theo Clancy, Andrew McGowan, Rory O’Carroll, Craig Dias, and of course Paul Mannion for Crokes, Mick Fitzsimons, Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne and Con O’Callaghan for Cuala.
Fitzsimons, winner of nine Celtic Crosses with Dublin, is one of the greatest man markers of his generation so does he track his county team mate Mannion? Or will he be deployed on Shane Walsh, the Galway star now in his third season with the Stillorgan outfit?
On the other, who can possibly stop Con O’Callaghan, who hit eight points on Saturday evening.
Whoever it is has been given fair warning by Cuala manager Austin O’Malley.
“Con performed at a really high level tonight,” he said speaking to FM104 Sport.
“That’s keeping with the calibre of the man, and the character of the man. When the game was calling there, Con came out with the answers.
“That’s what we’ve grown to know and that’s what we’ve grown to love but as Con knows there’s always room to push performances on. I’m sure, like any good player, he’ll sit down tonight and tomorrow and run the rule over himself and find an area to grow.”
