Final heartbreak for Dublin Masters
By Daire Walsh
THERE was heartbreak for the Dublin Masters footballers at Ballinagh in Cavan on Saturday as they suffered a 0-13 to 1-9 extra-time defeat to Tyrone in a tense All-Ireland final encounter.
Having lost to the same county in last year’s decider, the Sky Blues were determined to go a step further in 2022. One of the most notable recruits for the current campaign was Templeogue Synge Street stalwart Denis Bastick, who won five All-Ireland senior titles during a stellar inter-county career.
Joining him in the set-up were his club-mates Barry Fitzgerald and Cormac Donohoe, as well as Brendan McManamon – brother to his former Dublin colleague Kevin McManamon.
The latter was joined by fellow Jude’s veterans Conor McBride, Sean Brehany and Shane Guckian, while Tommy Brennan (Lucan Sarsfields), Kieran Groarke (Crumlin), John Gillick (Ballinteer St John’s), James O’Connor, Brian Kirby (both Thomas Davis) and Ciaran Doyle (Ballyboden St Enda’s) completed the local interest.
St Mary’s, Saggart club man Mick Coyne was also on board as a selector and despite the dismissal of Bastick on a red-card offence, a McManamon goal had Dublin in contention for the spoils.
However, a 0-5 haul from former Football of the Year Stephen O’Neill proved crucial in seeing Tyrone over the line.