Goal-den Kilmacud

KILMACUD CROKES 4-10

ST VINCENT’S 2-8

DAIRE WALSH – 29 APRIL 2014 03:30 PM

SECOND-HALF goals from corner-forwards Ronan Hayes and Sean Conroy helped to determine the outcome of this clash at Pairc Naomh Uinsionn on Saturday.

Kilmacud Crokes booked their place in the semi-final of the Dublin U16 ‘A’ Football Championship at the expense of St Vincent’s.

A 1-6 haul from the highly influential Dan O’Brien also proved crucial to the cause of Robert Behan’s charges and, after Éanna Mac Domhnaill’s 33rd minute major restored parity to a lively encounter, the Stillorgan outfit outscored the hosts 2-7 to 1-2 to advance in style.

Even though the conditions were favourable for the majority of the contest, a series of showers prior to the throw-in (and during the game’s first quarter) made it difficult at times for both sets of players, and with just two minutes gone on the clock, O’Brien’s speculative attempt found the back of the Vincent’s net via the fingertips of netminder Graham O’Connor.

This was an early blow to the Vinnies cause and ,despite responding with a neat James O’Donnell score under pressure, Crokes half-forward Eoin Barr raised the green flag for a second time five minutes in following excellent approach work by full-forward Paddy Flaherty.

A terrific O’Brien point from distance further enhanced the south Dublin side’s superiority, but Vinnies finally started to gather some much-needed momentum with well-worked efforts in quick succession by Dara Perry and Adam Giblin (two).

The woodwork denied Conroy at the opposite end of the field, but as the half wore on, the Vincent’s attack was certainly becoming more prominent.

Diligent work by the Crokes rearguard largely restricted their route to goal, though, and either side of Andrew Kilgallon’s enforced departure through injury, midfielder Nathan Nolan and O’Brien (free) split the posts for the visitors.

A superbly struck John Walsh point from play reduced the Vincent’s deficit to four (2-3 to 0-5) in time for the interval, and a strong start to the second period was essential if they were to force way back into contention.

Giblin was wide of the mark from a gilt-edged goal chance two minutes after the restart, but Domhnaill quickly made amends by following up a Seán Lambe point with a clinical strike from close-range.

This left the tie delicately poised, but the response of Crokes to the concession of this three-pointer was emphatic. A scramble close to the Vinnies goal was eventually finished to the net with aplomb by inside forward Hayes seven minutes into the half, and a trio of subsequent place-ball contributions from O’Brien, including a sideline, ensured that Crokes had a firm grip.

Vincent’s remained in touch courtesy of Giblin and Domhnaill scores, but with Conroy profiting from magnificent build-up play by half-back Evin Comerford and Hayes 12 minutes from time, the outcome was placed beyond any doubt.

Points inside the final 10 minutes by half-back duo Peter O’Reilly and Brian Carr, as well as a routine free from substitute Matt Barry, further embellished the Crokes lead, and although centre-fielder Conor Burke grabbed a deserved consolation goal for Vinnies in stoppage-time, the Glenalbyn brigade were comprehensive victors at the conclusion.

MATCH FILE

SCORERS – KILMACUD CROKES: D O’Brien 1-6 (0-3f, 0-1 s/line), E Barr, S Conroy, R Hayes 1-0 each, M Barry (f), B Carr, P O’Reilly, N Nolan 0-1 each. ST VINCENT’S: E Domhnaill 1-1 (0-1f), C Burke 1-0, A Giblin 0-3, D Purdy, J O’Donnell, J Walsh, S Lambe 0-1 each.

KILMACUD CROKES: N Murray; J Keating, S Dunbar, D Dagg; B Carr, P O’Reilly, E Comerford; P Leonard, N Nolan; A Kilgallon, D O’Brien, E Barr; S Conroy, P Flaherty, R Hayes. Subs: M Barry for Kilgallon (23), A Kelly for Hayes (53), C Moran for Barr (57), R McDonnell for Carr (59).

ST VINCENT’S: G O’Connor; D Maloney, C Ryan, C Lanigan; S Collins, M O’Keeffe, L Murphy; E Domhnaill, C Burke; D Purdy, J O’Donnell, A Giblin; J Walsh, E Ruddle, M Collins. Subs: S Lambe for O’Donnell (11), S McCauley for O’Connor (h-t).

REFEREE: D Harrington (St Sylvester’s).

WIDES: Kilmacud Crokes: 7 (4+3). St Vincent’s: 4 (2+2).

MENTORS: KILMACUD CROKES: R Behan, C O’Flaherty, J O’Callaghan. ST VINCENT’S: M Loftus, S Loftus, J Walsh, R O’Connor.

CONDITIONS: Breezy with occasional showers.

PLAYER-OF-THE-MATCH: Dan O’Brien (Kilmacud Crokes)