Dublin cruise into All-Ireland decider
By Daire Walsh
Ballyboden St Enda’s ace Robbie McDaid produced a man of the match performance at Croke Park this evening to keep holders Dublin on course for a sixth straight All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title.
A marauding wing-back, McDaid chipped in with a personal tally of 1-2 as the Sky Blues claimed a convincing 1-24 to 0-12 victory at the expense of Ulster champions Cavan in the last-four of the Sam Maguire Cup.
Templeogue Synge Street’s Niall Scully also featured in the starting line-up and there was a cameo role off the bench for McDaid’s club-mate Colm Basquel – his first championship appearance since the facile ‘Super 8’ win over Roscommon in 2018.
Dessie Farrell’s men now await the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final between Mayo and Tipperary at the same venue, but will already be priming themselves for an unusual All-Ireland final date on December 19.
Following an even start to the game, three points on the bounce from inside forward Dean Rock helped Dublin to develop a 0-7 to 0-4 buffer at the first water break. To Cavan’s credit, they held their own in the opening period with Ciarán Brady and Martin Reilly leading the Breffni fight.
Nevertheless, Brian Fenton, Dean Rock (two), Ciarán Kilkenny and Paddy Small were all on target to propel Dublin towards a five-point interval cushion (0-12 to 0-7).
When McDaid added his second score of the night on 57 minutes, it stretched the lead to 11 and effectively placed the outcome beyond all doubt.
Cavan did hit three points in succession just past the hour mark, but a commanding Dublin finished the contest with a flourish. McDaid palmed to the net off a Rock pass, before Fenton, Rock and Cormac Costello added gloss to the final scoreline.