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