Dublin Senior Football Final line up decided after two raucous semi final matches

The Final of the 2014 Dublin Senior Football Championship will be contested by St Oliver Plunkett’s E.R. and St Vincent’s after their respective semi final victories in Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

The first semi final of the day saw Plunkett’s face stiff opposition from St Jude’s. The men from Dublin 7 recorded a comprehensive 1-11 to 0-04 victory over their south Dublin opponents. The opening quarter yielded just four points, two apiece, in a cagey start to this semi final encounter.

Antrim inter-county star Mark Sweeney was pulling the strings for Jude’s in the middle of the park, creating a scoring opportunity for corner back Rob Finnegan to kick his team into a first half lead. However, three unanswered scores from James Brogan, Niall Walsh, and Bernard Brogan ensured Plunkett’s led at the half time break, 0-05 to 0-03.

The second half was completely dominated by Plunkett’s. Their quick counter-attacking style of football implemented by Pat McDonagh and his management team was a joy to behold. St Jude’s had no answer to their impressive tactics and were second to every ball as Plunkett’s outclassed their opponents in all departments.

Bernard Brogan pointed the first score of the second half before Conor Walsh and Gareth Smith followed suit with points of their own. St Jude’s solitary point of the second half came from the boot of Ronan Joyce with 40 minutes played.

A late Bernard Brogan goal rounded off a complete performance from St Oliver Plunkett’s. St Jude’s ‘keeper John Brian Carthy had no chance to stop a clinical effort from Brogan as he stroked the ball low into the corner of the net. Soon after, Plunkett’s corner forward Gareth Smith pointed a ’45 to finish the match off in comprehensive fashion.

Confidence will be high in the Plunkett’s camp after their dominant ten point victory as they continue in search of a first Dublin Senior Football Championship in the club’s history.

If Plunkett’s are to succeed in claiming this years Dublin title, they will have to overcome a regimented St Vincent’s. The Marino outfit grinded out a hard fought seven point victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Not for the first time in this years Championship, Diarmuid Connolly stole the headlines with yet another masterful goal, top scoring with 1-06 to his name. The match swung in the balance for the majority of the 60 minutes unlike the earlier one-sided encounter.

The first score of the match came within the opening 30 seconds when former Dublin Minor Sam Molony pointed a confident early shot over the black spot. Both teams exchanged frees in a physical opening quarter of the match. Ultimately though, it was Connolly who would be the difference between the two sides.

The Dublin inter-county star kicked four points, two off either foot, to galvanise a St Vincent’s team going in search of back to back county titles. However, Ballyboden battled diligently and led at the interval, 0-08 to 0-06. It was an entertaining first half with free flowing football aplenty in the Donnycarney venue.

The second half began with Diarmuid Connolly embarking on a marauding run through the ‘Boden defence. Connolly’s agile footwork and astounding strength ensured he found himself in range of Daire Walsh’s goal. Connolly unleashed an unstoppable left footed strike into the net to kick Vinnies into an early second half lead.

However, ‘Boden didn’t let their heads drop and their reply was efficient and immediate. Two points from first half substitute Daniel Davey were preceded by a pointed free from Andrew Kerin. As the match neared its conclusion, it was the current All Ireland Senior Football champions who pulled away with points from Tomas Quinn, Diarmuid Connolly, and Shane Carthy.

Although St Vincent’s were in the ascendancy, ‘Boden, yet again, clawed their way back into this end to end semi final thanks to a goal from Conal Keaney. With 52 minutes played the ‘Boden full forward latched on to a hopeful long range pass into the square from Aran Waters.

Keaney’s goal shortened Vinnies lead to just two points as ‘Boden hoped to set up a breathtaking finish. However, Tommy Conroy’s men upped their intensity and pointed five consecutive scores to ensure a hard fought seven point victory, 1-17 to 1-10 in favour of St Vincent’s.

Dublin Senior Football Championship Final

St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh vs St Vincent’s.

Monday 27th October, throw in 19:45, Parnell Park.

S.DAWSON 20/10/14

St Jude’s and Kilmacud Crokes emerge victorious from Dublin SHC semi-finals

St Jude’s and Kilmacud Crokes will contest this year’s Dublin Senior Hurling Championship final which will be played in two weeks time after their respective semi final victories over O’Tooles and Ballyboden St Enda’s in Parnell Park yesterday evening.

It was a historic victory for St Jude’s as the club reaches new levels contesting a Dublin SHC final for the first time in their 36 year history. A 56^th minute Danny Sutcliffe point secured victory for St Jude’s over O’Tooles in an exhilarating game of hurling played in the Donnycarney venue.

O’Tooles will be distraught after battling gallantly throughout the 60 minutes only to be undone by a terrific score from Dublin inter-county star Sutcliffe. It was his third score of the match in a semi final played at a frantic pace.

The Templeogue outfit raced into an early two point lead thanks to points from Mark Maguire and Ronan Joyce. O’Tooles reply was accurate and immediate. A point from Andy Morris was preceded by a pointed free from Conor Carton, who would showcase a master class in free taking throughout the match.

O’Tooles could have added a goal to their tally from the hurl of Peadar Carton if it was not for an outstanding save from St Jude’s ‘keeper Graham Nolan, who somehow directed the sliotar wide from Carton’s close range shot. O’Tooles had a two point lead going into the interval after an evenly balanced opening half.

St Jude’s enjoyed the majority of possession in the second half as both teams exchanged points with the physicality levels increasing as the match entered the last quarter. Jesse Kennedy, who was named at corner back, marshalled the St Jude’s half forward line well, along with playmaker Danny Sutcliffe. Add to this the assured accuracy of Fionn O Riain Broin from dead ball situations and this was an extremely difficult game plan to breakdown.

Conor Carton’s final point of the match in the 54^th minute levelled the scores for the seventh time. However, it was Sutcliffe who would steal the headlines for St Jude’s as his point proved to be the match winner. St Jude’s emerged victorious after a colossal battle with O’Tooles and they will now face Kilmacud Crokes in this year’s final after their comfortable seven point victory over Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Crokes’ corner forward Caolan Conway was instrumental in his team’s victory throughout this eagerly anticipated semi final. Conway pointed seven points to ensure his team would see off the resilient challenge of Ballyboden. At half time Crokes had a lead of four points, 0-09 to 0-05.

An early second half goal from the hurl of Sean McGrath put an end to a short spell of momentum ‘Boden had created. However, Ballyboden, inspired by a notable performance from Dublin inter-county star Conal Keaney, scored four consecutive points to reduce Crokes’ lead to a solitary point as the match neared its conclusion.

Crokes always looked the hungrier of the two sides. Similar to when these two teams met in the group stages of this years Championship, Crokes registered a resounding victory. Four late unanswered points from McGrath, Conway, and a brace from Damien Kelly meant the Stillorgan outfit would be able to look forward to a final appearance, hoping to emulate their 2012 Dublin SHC final victory.

After two scintillating semi final encounters, this years final is sure to be an enthralling encounter between two of Dublin’s finest hurling clubs in recent years. 

S.DAWSON 14/10/14

Dublin Senior Football Championship quarter final round up

The Dublin Senior Football Championship draw was announced yesterday with reigning champions St Vincent’s due to play Ballyboden St Enda’s and St Oliver Plunkett’s facing off against St Jude’s.

The big shock of the quarter final stage was the exit of early favourites Ballymun Kickhams at the hands of St Oliver Plunkett’s E.R. The Cabra outfit dispatched of their north Dublin rivals thanks to goals from cousins James and Alan Brogan. The first goal of the match was registered on the 15^th minute mark, just four minutes before Alan Brogan slid a shot past Sean Currie with the inside of his left boot.

Brothers in arms, Alan and Bernard Brogan of Plunkett's.

Paul Curran’s men were unable to deal with numerous fast paced attacks from Plunkett’s. Dublin underage star Niall Walsh was constantly dropping back from his corner forward position to give Plunkett’s midfielder Craig Dunleavy a consistent outlet, as the Cabra men bossed this physical encounter. Plunkett’s were fully deserving of their 2-12 to 0-10 victory.

A spectacular effort from Bernard Brogan summed up the match as everything seemed to sail over the black spot for Plunkett’s. Ballymun will be rueing missed opportunities on a day when they were outclassed across the pitch and outscored by tactically smart Plunkett’s team.

In the second match on Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park, current All Ireland Club champions St Vincent’s saw off Templeogue Synge Street with a comprehensive 11 point victory. A second half hat trick from Tomas Quinn ensured victory after a first half which was very much in the balance. The teams were level at the interval, 0-09 to 1-06, after a Ger Vickery goal had St Vincent’s on the back-foot.

St Vincent’s blitzed their opponents in the opening 14 minutes of the half scoring 3-06 without reply. Diarmuid Connolly was pulling the strings from centre forward with ease. The evergreen Tomas Quinn capitalised on every moment of possession given to the potent corner forward. St Vincent’s other corner forward Ruairi Trainor also scored four magnificently taken points to see Vinnies over the line.

Templeogue Synge Street managed to score an unanswered 2-02 in the last five minutes of the match thanks to a brace of points from Niall Scully and goals from Eoghan O’Gara and substitute Jack Swaine. However, it was too little too late for the south Dublin outfit. Vinnies quelled the aerial threat of Eoghan O’Gara by doubling up on him for most of the match thanks to a resilient full back line.

St Vincent’s quick movement of the ball was a joy to behold scoring from acute angles with ease. With Ballymun bowing out of this years Championship, it is hard to look past St Vincent’s regaining their Dublin Senior Football crown after a pulsating performance in Parnell Park, finishing 3-20 to 3-09.

St Vincent's Daithi Murphy under pressure form a resilient Templeogue defence.

On Sunday in O’Toole Park, St Jude’s got the better of St Brigid’s. Their performance was inspired by a mesmerising display from centre forward Kevin McManamon. The Dublin inter-county star scored 3-05, with all but one point coming from play, to see his team see off St Brigid’s on a score line of 3-11 to 0-12.

The result was beyond doubt at half time with St Jude’s leading 1-07 to 0-01, after a rampant opening 30 minutes. Tony McEntee’s men attempted to regain respectability after an embarrassing first half which saw St Brigid’s miss a plethora of kickable opportunities. In a near flawless performance, St Jude’s were on top in every area of the pitch. St Jude’s will meet a confident St Oliver Plunkett’s team in the pick of the two semi finals.

In the last quarter final match to be played, Ballyboden St Enda’s beat Lucan Sarsfields 0-14 to 0-09 in O’Toole Park. ‘Boden scored the first four points of the match without reply, led masterfully by former Dublin star Declan O’Mahony. It was another former Dublin player, Stephen O’Shaugnessy, who was linking up well in the Lucan forwards line.

O’Shaugnessy, whose favoured position is across the full back line, was creating problems for ‘Boden along with young Emmet O’Conghaile. However, Ballyboden showcased a regimented performance leading from start to finish. The Rathfarnham outfit were leading by seven points with just 20 minutes played in a match they thoroughly dominated.

Try as they might, Lucan could not manage to get a foothold in the match. Ballyboden were in firm control of this quarter final which was largely expected before throw in. ‘Boden will face a stiff test against St Vincent’s knowing they will be up against much tougher opponents in their next outing.

The date and throw in times of this years semi final matches are due to be announced later this week.

 Full list of Dublin Senior Football Championship Semi Final matches:

St Vincent’s vs Ballyboden St Enda’s

St Jude’s vs St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh

S.DAWSON 06/10/14

Dublin Senior Football Championship Last 16 Round-Up

St Oliver Plunkett's Ross McConnell and St Anne's Ciaran Murphy compete in their Dublin SFC last 16 match

The Dublin Senior Football Championship is approaching the quarter final stages after some scintillating displays of football in the last 16 round. The quarter finals will comprise entirely of division one teams after any hopes of an underdog upset were eradicated this week.

On Wednesday night it seemed like a kicking contest between Dublin inter-county stars Cormac Costello and Kevin McManamon  would be the narrative as St Jude’s played third division Whitehall Colmcille. However, neither displayed their usual high standard of football. Costello was just returning to fitness after battling a virus and McManamon was marked out of the game by a resilient Whitehall full back line. It was left to Kevin’s brother, Brendan, who is also familiar to the Dublin panel, to ensure St Jude’s would prevail victorious by ten points on a score line of 1-13 to 0-06. Brendan McManamon’s four frees and solitary point from open play accompanied D.A. Donnelly’s 1-05 which left Whitehall with no chance as St Jude’s progress to the quarter finals.

In the second match of the night in Parnell Park, Diarmuid Connolly stole the show as St Vincent’s steamrolled St Sylvester’s 3-12 to 1-09 with a comprehensive victory. The reigning All Ireland Club Champions looked comfortable throughout the 60 minutes against a resilient Malahide outfit. Although corner forwards Rory Trainor and Tomas Quinn scored 1-03 and 0-03, respectively, it was Diarmuid Connolly who would be on the minds of every spectator departing the Donnycarney venue after scoring that goal. Connolly set off on a 40 yard run dissecting the Syl’s defence with ease before a neat one-two with Mossy Quinn resulted in Connolly volleying the ball into the net of Dominic McDonnell. The return of centre back Ger Brennan from a lengthy absence was a welcome boost for the Marino side who are on course for retaining their Dublin Senior Football Championship title.

In O’Toole Park on Wednesday evening, Lucan Sarsfield’s beat a young Raheny side to progress to the next round. Former regular Dublin starters, Paul Casey and Stephen O’Shaughnessy marshalled Lucan’s backline flawlessly and it was Emmet O’Conghaile in the Lucan forward line who kicked his team to a deserved victory. It is clear to see why O’Conghaile has been omnipresent in Dublin underage panels, a player who no doubt will make his mark on the Dublin Senior side very soon. Raheny were without their lively attacking duo of Rutherson Real and Gavin Ivory and succumbed to a 2-12 to 0-12 defeat. Despite the brave efforts of young midfielders Brian Fenton and Paddy O’Higgins, Raheny never looked like challenging their opponents as Lucan prevailed with ease.

The one match on Friday evening in Parnell Park saw Templeogue Synge Street knock Paul Caffrey’s Na Fianna out of this years Championship. The final score was 2-09 to 0-14 as a spirited Na Fianna side were undone by Eoghan O’Gara who was unplayable at times in the T.S.S. full forward line. Similar to their senior hurling team who were undone by Lucan Sarsfields, Na Fianna are a very young team. Although no team has the time to be in transition, there is certain hope for the future. T.S.S. will find it extremely difficult as they meet current champions St Vincent’s in the next round.

On Saturday afternoon, it took St Brigid’s extra time to beat Skerries Harps in an entertaining clash in Chanel. Skerries were fully deserving of their one point lead as the 60^th minute approached. However, it was Philly Ryan who broke the county Dublin team’s hearts with a last gasp equaliser. Ryan’s point made up for two earlier kickable misses from under the black spot. Skerries never recovered from the last minute equaliser and eventually lost out 0-15 to 0-13 after extra time. It was a deflated performance from Skerries in extra time as they just didn’t have the legs to keep up with their opponents. Tony McEntee’s team needs a much improved performance if they are to overcome the challenge of St Jude’s in the quarter finals.

Ballyboden St Enda’s set up a quarter final tie with Lucan Sarsfields after they made light work of Ballinteer St John’s. Ballyboden beat their local rivals by 16 points on a score line of 3-15 to 0-08. Dublin inter-county hurler Conal Keaney relived his inter-county football form as he notched 1-02 with an impressive display. Ballinteer St John’s will look to regroup after a heavy defeat from a team a division above them.

In Parnell Park on Saturday, a lacklustre performance from St Oliver Plunkett’s was enough to see them past St Anne’s on a score line of 1-12 to 0-09. The Cabra outfit who have the Brogan dynasty – James, Darragh, Alan, and Bernard - at their disposal, shot nine first half wides in thirty minutes riddled with mistakes. Pat McDonagh’s team were lucky to come away with a six point victory which flattered Plunkett’s. Bernard Brogan was the scorer of the games only goal which galvanised his team to knock a proud St Anne’s out of this years Championship. There is plenty of room for improvement if St Oliver Plunkett’s are to pose any threat against bookies favourites Ballymun Kickhams in the quarter finals.

In the final match of the last 16 round, a depleted Fingal Ravens team lost out to Ballymun Kickhams by 21 points. Ballymun are awash with inter-county level stars. Dublin’s James McCarthy organised their defence diligently from the half back line and Dean Rock kicked 1-05 in an accurate display of football. Ballymun looked ruthless as they easily dispatched of their north county Dublin opponents. It is hard to look past Ballymun for this years Championship title, but there is many mouth watering clashes penned in for the quarter finals. Times and venues for all quarter final matches will be announced on Tuesday.

Full list of Dublin Senior Football Championship Quarter Final matches:

St Vincent’s vs Templeogue Synge Street

Ballymun Kickhams vs St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh

Ballyboden St Enda’s vs Lucan Sarsfields

St Jude’s vs St Brigid’s

S.DAWSON 21/09/2014