Cuala 0-14 Kilmacud Crokes 1-10
An Eoin Kennedy score deep into injury-time saw Cuala edge their southside rivals Kilmacud Crokes by the slimmest of margins in their absorbing Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin football final at Parnell Park.
In doing so, the Dalkey outfit secured their first ever county title and they were full value for their victory, irrespective of the tightness on the final scoreboard.
With time running out and a replay a distinct possibility, Kennedy popped up with the match-winning score in the fifth minute of injury-time, handing Cuala a narrow but ultimately deserved victory.
Such an eventuality looked unlikely ten minutes previously with momentum swinging Kilmacud's way following a 55th minute goal by Luke Ward and the immediate dismissal of Con O’Callaghan following an off-the-ball coming together with Crokes goalkeeper Devon Burns.
Admittedly, Kilmacud faced a difficult breeze in the opening half but irrespective of the elements, they looked a pale shadow of their disciplined and ruthless best, in addition to lacking the intensity of their opponents.
In contrast, Cuala belied their underdog status with a dominant first-half performance, showing few signs of nerves and crucially avoiding any glaring errors that could undermine their challenge.
A brilliant Charlie McMorrow point helped settle them within 30 seconds and while Hugh Kenny replied for Crokes three minutes later, it proved an isolated moment of encouragement for the holders.
Further points arrived for Cuala through the unlikely sources of Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Michael Fitzsimons as the Dalkey outfit finished the first quarter with a two-point advantage.
Con O’Callaghan and an inspired Fitzsimons added to their tally and the margin was enhanced to five points by the 23rd minute as Luke Keating capitalised on a misplaced Burns kickout.
With confidence coursing through their collective veins, Cal Doran added to the Cuala tally before Paul Mannion landed a much-needed score at the opposite end in the 27th minute, ending a barren period of 23 minutes in the process.
Cuala continued to impress upon the resumption, restoring their six-point lead through a tidy effort from Doran with Crokes replying in an instant courtesy of Craig Dias.
Their ability to create chances despite the elements proved hugely significant and they could well have netted in the 36th minute but Burns reacted superbly to tip Niall O’Callaghan’s shot over the crossbar.
Slowly but surely, Crokes clawed their way back into contention with Shane Wash and Mannion sharing four points and Ward’s superb goal from Mannion’s pass looked to have sparked them back into life.
The dismissal of Con O’Callaghan should have enhanced Crokes’ chances but they were rarely in control of matters and they paid the price late on as Luke Keating’s tricky free dropped short and Kennedy was on hand to deftly punch over the crossbar for the game-defining score.
Cuala: R Scollard; D Conroy, M Fitzsimons (0-02), E O’Callaghan; E Kennedy (0-01), C McMorrow (0-01), D O’Dowd; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne (0-01), P Duffy (0-01); C Dunne, C O’Callaghan (0-01), C Doran (0-03); L Keating (0-03, 2f), N O’Callaghan (0-01), C Ó Giolláin.
Subs: C Groarke for Ó Giolláin (43), C Mulally for Dunne (48), M Conroy for D Conroy (56).
Kilmacud Crokes: D Burns; M Mullin, T Clancy, D O’Brien; M O’Leary, A McGowan, J Murphy; B Shovlin, R O’Carroll; H Kenny (0-01), C Dias (0-01), D Mullin (0-01); P Mannion (0-04, 1f, 1m), P O’Connor, S Walsh (0-03, 1f).
Subs: C O’Connor for O’Leary (43), T Fox for Kenny (45), L Ward (1-0) for Murphy (53), S Cunningham for O’Connor (61).
Referee: Seán McCarthy (St Vincent’s)
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