GLORY FOR SUPER ‘MUN
Kavanagh and Keating goals seal Kickhams glory
DUBLIN MFC ‘A’ FINAL
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS………………………………… 5-4
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S………………………………. 2-9
Daire Walsh
TWO goals apiece from Conor Kavanagh and Dillon Keating proved decisive on Sunday morning, when Ballymun Kickhams were crowned Dublin Minor ‘A’ Football Champions at the end of a gripping decider against Ballyboden St Enda’s in a wet and windy O’Toole Park.
Both sides had impressed in their semi-final victories on the same ground a fortnight earlier, and with a downpour of torrential rain descending upon the Crumlin venue, the two teams set-up for this game in a similar fashion.
Ballyboden’s Cathal O’Dea and Ballymun’s Carl Keeley acting as sweepers at opposite ends of the field, but the southsiders were facing into a stiff breeze during the opening period, and they subsequently suffered a major set-back with just two minutes gone.
The lively Kavanagh cut in from the left-wing, and fired into the bottom corner of Josh Kane’s goal off his reliable right-foot. This ensured that Ballymun (who have ten county panellists within their ranks) settled quickly into the proceedings, and with the elements working in their favour, quick-fire scores by half-forward duo Colm Hulton and Kavanagh increased their advantage to five points.
‘Boden attacker Mikey Dunne almost got a decisive flick to Barra McGarry’s 12th minute delivery, but despite conceding further points to Hulton and Paddy Small (brother of Dublin footballer John), Neil Brennan’s charges finally opened their account with a well-worked score from Ross McGarry 24 minutes in.
Cillian Byrne also split the posts for the Firhouse Road outfit before the half’s end, but after Keating’s speculative shot from a right-hand angle drifted into the far corner of the ‘Boden goal, Ballymun entered the interval period with a 2-4 to 0-2 lead. The wind was in ‘Boden’s favour after the restart, but Paddy Christie’s men were in pole position when a third goal from raiding wing-back Dean O’Brien – from the opening attack of the half – opened up an 11 point cushion.
Yet, as the half progressed, ‘Boden started to find their rhythm, and after substitute Dylan Walsh raised a white flag, a terrific catch by fellow replacement Ross McGrath provided the platform for Ross McGarry’s three-pointer on the stroke of 40 minutes.
BACK-FOOT
This kick-started a strong purple patch from ‘Boden, who were forcing their northside counterparts on the back-foot on a more regular basis. 0-2 salvos from Dunne and centre-forward Barra McGarry cut the gap to three points, and with eight minutes remaining in the contest, a Ross McGarry effort meant that Boden had mustered 1-6 without reply.
Ballymun had gone all of 23 minutes without a score, but after finding space, Keating grabbed his second goal of the game in fortuitous circumstances.
This was a major psychological boost for Ballymun, and following a superb run on the left-flank two minutes from the end, the outstanding Kavanagh found the roof of the net. The outcome was ultimately placed beyond any doubt, and even though a stoppage-time scrambled goal by McGrath was supplemented by a Ross McGarry strike, Ballymun Kickhams sealed their first title at this grade in 38 years.
Scorers – Ballymun Kickhams: C Kavanagh 2-1, D Keating 2-0, D O’Brien 1-0, C Hulton 0-2, P Small 0-1. Ballyboden St Enda’s: R McGarry 1-3, R McGrath 1-0, B McGarry (f), M Dunne (f) 0-2 each, C Byrne, D Walsh 0-1 each.
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: E Comerford; D McArdle, S Brennan, R O’Leary; D O’Brien, L Young, E Craig; A Elliot, C O’Tighe; C Keeley, C Hulton, C Kavanagh; C Gerrard, P Small, D Keating.
SUBS: A Swann for Brennan (47), K McDonnell for Small (60), C Deegan for Keating (60).
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: J Kane; C Ryan, C Murray, A Mellet; K Cronin, J Holland, H Keller; N Hester, L O’Flaherty; C Byrne, B McGarry, R Leddy; C O’Dea, R McGarry, M Dunne.
SUBS: R McGrath for Keller (h-t), D Walsh for O’Flaherty (36), O Carolan for Byrne (58), L Stafford for Cronin (63).
MENTORS – BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: Paddy Christie, Jack Duffy, Brendan Farrelly, Eddie Christie, Tomas Hayes.
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: Neil Brennan, Don Carlin, Brendan Gillespie, Dan O’Sullivan, Brian O’Regan.
REFEREE: Lee Moroney (St Anne’s).
WIDES – Ballymun Kickhams: 7 (6+1). Ballyboden St Enda’s: 7 (2+5).
CONDITIONS: Wet and windy conditions throughout the contest.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Conor Kavanagh (Ballymun Kickhams).