Kilmacud Crokes Win Dublin Div. 1 Feile Peil Final – 3rd M

On a bright Summer's evening on 3rd May, Kilmacud Crokes lined out against Ballyboden St Endas in Parnell Park for Div. 1 Feile Peil final.

Kilmacud got off to a great start, with Mark Hanratty / Kenneth Murray dominating mid-field and forwards Dave Campbell, Conor O'Byrne and Brian McCann putting early pressure on the Ballyboden defence which resulted in scores from Conor Devins, Jeff Landers and Shane Cunningham.  Kilmacud led by 1-2 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.

Ballyboden fought their way back into the game and put the Kilmacud defence under severe pressure.  KJ McGowan dominated the full back position for Kilmacud and close marking and determined defending by Ross McGowan, Oisin O'Rorke, Conor O'Dwyer and Conor J O'Dwyer kept Ballyboden at bay.  Conor Ferris was a ‘safe pair of hands' under dropping ball and stopped a Ballyboden shot at close range.  A few minutes before half-time Kilmacud conceded a goal and at half-time Kilmacud were leading 1-5 to 1-3.

The contest in the first ten minutes of the second half was relatively even with both sides trading points including a magnificent score by Kilmacud defender Oisin O'Rorke.  Stout defence by James Murphy getting ‘first to the ball' and Shane Cunningham, Mark Hanratty tracking back to dispossess a Ballyboden forward, inspired the whole Kilmacud team.

During the last quarter Caolan Conway, Thomas Linehan and Dara Mullen came on to refresh the Kilmacud defensive and forward positions. 

With about five minutes remaining, Kilmacud were ahead 1-8 to 1-6.  Ballyboden were chasing a winning goal and had Kilmacud defence under continuous pressure but again heroic defence by the Kilmacud prevented Ballyboden from scoring.

In the last minute of the game, the result was sealed for Kilmacud when forward Jeff Landers passed to Dave Campbell who in turn scored Kilmacud's second goal. 

Final score Kilmacud 2-8,  Ballyboden SE 1-6.     

Congratulations and well done to the whole team on their great achievement.  A special thank you to all the Kilmacud supporters who came out in significant numbers to cheered us on.

Kilmacud Crokes - 2008 Dublin Feile Winning Team

C. Britchfield, Dave Campbell, Caolan Conway, Shane Cunningham, Conor Devins, Conor Ferris, Neil Gorey, Mark Hanratty, Jeff Landers, Thomas Linehan, Brian McCann, Cian MacGabhann, KJ McGowan, Ross McGowan, Matthew McNicholas, Dara Mullen, James Murphy, Kenneth Murray, Conor O'Byrne, Conor O'Dwyer, Conor J O'Dwyer, Oisin O'Rorke, Conor Sweeney.

See Feile-2008 Photo Gallery here for more pics (check back from time to time as more will be added if available!