JFC A Replay - Kilmacud Crokes emerge victorious v Castleknock
On an overcast evening in Porterstown Road, Kilmacud Crokes battled through the Dublin rush hour traffic and then a spirited Castleknock team to reach the last four of the Junior A Football Championship. Both teams took to the field with a number of changes from their drawn encounter and it was one of these changes that ultimately made the difference - with last year's Dublin minor star David Higgins scoring a very impressive 0-6 from full forward for Kilmacud. The tall imposing full forward was a constant threat throughout and the Castleknock defence were unable to get to grips with his physicality and his pace.
Having won the toss Kilmacud decided to play against the hill in the first half and were first to register a score through Stephen Williams. But it was Castleknock who settled quickest and went 0-3 to 0-1 up after a flurry of early points. But a fine Stephen Williams run along the right wing which culminated in a shot crashing off the underside of the cross bar was the inspiration Kilmacud needed and in a 10 minute period thereafter they rattled off 1-3 to Castleknock's 0-1 with points from Darragh McGale and David Higgins (2). The Kilmacud goal coming courtesy of a fine run and finish from their wing forward Richie Power. Following a few late traded scores the teams went in 1-5 to 0-6 at the break, with the hill and the wind to favour Kilmacud in the second half.
Again however, it was Castleknock who settled the better as they sought a way of eating into Kilmacud's lead and after 31 minutes there was only a point in it. Crucial to the win was Kilmacud's ability to match score with score at certain stages of the second half and David Higgins, Darragh McGale and Stephen Williams all scored vital points to keep Catsleknock at bay. However, the turning point came in the 49th minute when the Kilmacud goalkeeper Mark Kielty pulled off a top drawer save to keep the score at 1-7 to 0-9 and from the rebound Kilmacud were able to clear their lines and score a point at the other end through David Higgins to go 2 ahead again. From perhaps being 2 points down, Crokes were 2 points up with only 10 minutes of normal time to go.
To their credit Castleknock battled back and managed to level it in the 58th minute but they couldn't find the extra gear and instead it was Kilmacud who shut up shop at the back with John O'Callaghan and Derek Corcoran leading by example and the forwards drove home firing over late points from Declan Sheeran and David Higgins (2). Castleknock had a last minute free kick from the 21' to level the game but there was to be no last minute heroics in this game and with nearly all of Kilmacud's starting 15 on the line, it was their 'keeper Mark Kielty who was first off the line to save the goal bound effort. Amid scenes of jubilant celebrations from Kilmacud, it finished 0-12 to 1-12. However, it will be a quick turnaround as the semi-final has already been fixed for Thursday 21 August at 18.45 in Parnell Park against the Charlie Redmond managed (and unbeaten) St. Pats from Donabate. The manager Gerry Collins, the captain John O'Callaghan and the rest of the lads will be hoping to see as many familiar faces as possible at the game.