25 Years and counting ..... major breakthrough by U21s

Beaten semi finalists in 1982 the target at the start of the year was championship. First game in Oct. 1882 was against St. Mary's Saggart, in Saggart, a tough team at the best of times but we had a comfortable six points win against them.

Match two was against St. Monicas in Edenmore. We started well with a few early points but then seemed to lose our way for a while and Monicas started to make a match of it. The introduction of Gareth Robinson steadied our defence and John Funge suddenly had a rampage of scores. As always management only then found out that his sister had her 21st the night before. Sparrow was the man of the day as it was his van that transported half the team and our lone supporter Gerry Green to the game.

Match three, quarter final, was against Erin's Hope whom we considered to be an intercouny selection. Fortunately we had home advantage. Big worry before the game: would John Shovlin who had just joined the guards be release from Templemore. To see him there on my arrival that Sat 31st Jan 1883 lifted my spirits immensely. If ever a Kilmacud  Crokes' team gave a performance that was the day. From the throw-in they played like men possessed, Rory Ward, who had to the man of the match, took one of Kerry's up and coming stars and put him in his pocket. Brian Forkin and Frank Rutledge were as a colossus in the full back line and Sean Collins in goal had very safe hands. Michael Green and John Sovlin gave nothing away at midfield. Ger Hogarty and David Weir played jigs and reels with their fullback line. With four minutes to go we led by five points but mystery of mysteries from a 14yd free they blasted the ball to the net and the last few minutes were tense but scoreless to the final whistle.

Semi-final in O'Toole Park, 28th February versus Na Fianna. The first thing that should be said about this game is that it should not have been played. There was at least a half inch of water on the ground, puddles all over the field and especially in the goalmouths. A day for the big men to make their presence felt and in Justin Roberts, Paddy Sugrue, Ger Hogarty, Declan Clancy, Justin Roberts and Sean Cullen we had leaders all over the field. Despite this we struggled for the first half and failed to score, this being due more to pitch conditions than lack of possession. At half time we trailed by two points to nil. Knowing that the conditions at the top half of the pitch were slightly firmer we were confident starting the second half. Two pointed frees from Declan Clancy drew us level, and a point from David Weir gave us the lead. A quick rely from Na Fianna drew the sides level again. The endeavour of both teams to seek a winning score was stupendous as each ball was fought for and no quarter was given. Ger Hogarty in a clash of heads got a deep gash over his eye and for purely medical reasons I decided to take him off but he wasn't having it: “no way, bandage me up I'm staying on”!! That not alone his attitude but that of all the team on the day. The point that won the game for us was kicked by Sean Cullen and it's a score that has lived in my memory. Over 40 yards out and within a few feet of the sideline …. Sean hit a left footed shot that sailed between the uprights, a score worthy of winning any match. Full time jubilation followed - we were into the final – but it was short lived; the referee declared the game a draw!!  I have asked myself many times since would I have reacted in the same way as our opponents? The Na Fianna mentor walked up to the referee and quietly whispered in his ear that Kilmacud Crokes had won and if he put it down as a draw they would give a walkover if a replay were fixed. The ref then made a fuss of checking with his umpires and declared us the winners.  

Final Day in O'Toole Park 28 March versus An Caislean. We had beaten the opposition fairly handily in the league so we could be deemed favourites on the day. This doesn’t always work out and although we led from early in the game we could never pull ahead, Half time we led by 4 points – it could have been 14!  The game changed completely 15 minutes into the second when a passing movement between Gay Keenan and Declan Clancy gave Leo O'Keefe the opportunity to bury the ball in the back of the goal. Match was over and we won at our easy.

Over 21 players were used in the five games and it was never easy to make selections. Our great strength was in our substitutes who often gave better then the men they replaced and to this day I still feel uneasy that we left players off that had done nothing wrong but then with the talent we had choices were difficult.

John Sheridan was Chairman of the Football Section at the time and this was the first cup under his reign. A number of these players went on to win our first senior county title in 1992 and subsequently a Club All Ireland in 1995.