Kilmacud Crokes AFL5 reach Conlon Cup Final

Kilmacud Crokes' AFL5 team took another step towards silverware with a hard fought win over Ballyboughal in Balgriffin on Wednesday evening in the Conlon Cup semi final. On a perfect night for football and played on an excellent surface after the recent dry spell, both teams took to the field determined to put last month's respective Championship semi final defeats behind them (Ballyboughal to Round Towers and Kilmacud Crokes to St. Pats). This probably contributed to the tight affair that followed.

Showing five changes form the team that beat Naomh Olaf at the weekend in the league, Kilmacud started the brighter and were 1-1 to no score ahead after 5 minutes - indeed it was this blistering start that ultimately proved the difference between the teams. Having only recently returned from the UK, Brian Hanratty gave a masterclass at midfield and it was a well delivered ball by him that set up David Kehoe for the opening score for Kilmacud on 2 minutes. From there on the Ballyboughal goal was under huge pressure with Stephen Williams, Cillian Caffrey and Brian Davoren making inroads with their running time and time again. However it was the ability of the Kilmacud forwards to put pressure on the Ballyboughal backs that led to the opening goal. Ciaran McCormack made a fantastic block near his own 45 which turned the ball over in Kilmacud's favour. His determination was rewarded when Richie Power smashed the ball to the back of the net.

To their credit Ballyboughal rallied and were it not for wayward shooting they could have been level with Crokes but instead by the 13th minute, Kilmacud stretched further ahead with a well taken point by wing back Robbie Kavanagh. By now it was 1-2 to 0-1. The rest of the half was a mixed bag for both teams as both sets of backs were getting some great blocks in and points were not easy to come by; indeed this would be the overall theme for the rest of the match. From there on, both teams saw out the half with another 2 points apiece, Kilmacud's coming courtesy of Ciaran McCormack and Cillian Caffrey. However these positives were over-shadowed by numerous wides from play and from frees. At half time Kilmacud led by 1-4 to 0-3.

If the first half was a cagey affair the second was even more so as both sets of forwards struggled to free themselves of their markers. But once again it was Kilmacud who started the brighter with a well struck free by Richie Power. However, they did not score again until the 54th minute when a huge kick from Brian Hanratty from wide on the left went sailing over the bar. In between there were plenty of flash points. A number of cards were issued as things got a little out of hand and Mark Kielty in the Kilmacud goal and Derek Corcoran at full back were kept busy by Ballyboughal's route 1 second half tactics. It made for compelling viewing, but not one for the purist or for the faint hearted.

Again, in the second half, Ballyboughal's shooting let them down and had they greater composure in front of goal things might have been different. Great credit must go to the Crokes' players who tackled and blocked fearlessly for the full 60 minutes and gave nothing away easily. With the scores at 1-6 to 0-5, a goal three minutes from time looked to have wrapped things up for Kilmacud only for the umpire to rule it out for a dubious square ball. But it did not matter in the end and Kilmacud saw the game out to win by four points. They now advance to the Conlon Cup final where they will face Man o' War.

Kilmacud: M. Kielty, D. McCormack (J. Farrell 35m), D. Corcoran, R. Lamb, R. Kavanagh (F. McGrath 55m), J. O'Callaghan, S. Collins, C. Caffrey, B. Hanratty, C. McCormack (D. McGale 37m), S. Williams, B. Davoren, D. Hogan (M. Moore 45m), R. Power, D. Kehoe (K. Brett 45m). Kilmacud Scorers: R. Power (1-1), D. Kehoe (0-1), R. Kavanagh (0-1), C. McCormack (0-1), C. Caffrey (0-1), B. Hanratty (0-1).