Kilmacud Crokes’ triumph over Na Fianna has placed them on track for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Dublin football championship — a club record. The reigning champions had to persevere in the latter half of the match, but they ultimately sealed a 1-12 to 0-12 win, thanks primarily to a game-changing goal from Mark O’Leary during first-half stoppage time.
Their upcoming clash with Cuala can be likened to a local dispute, given it’s the first instance of it unfolding at such a high level. Cuala managed to surpass Ballymun Kickhams in Saturday’s match, booking their spot in their initial senior football final since 1988. The Dalkey club, despite their consecutive All-Ireland hurling championships in 2017-18, have yet to clinch the Dublin football championship.
Cuala’s success in the recent semi-final was largely attributed to the recent All Star nominee Con O’Callaghan. O’Callaghan, who participated in both All-Ireland club hurling finals, contributed 0-8 in the 0-16 to 1-8 victory over Ballymun.
The past 36 years have seen football in the capital’s Southside bolster significantly. Out of the 35 championships, 18 titles were claimed by clubs situated south of the river. Surprisingly, none of these included Thomas Davis, Kilmacud Crokes, and Ballyboden St Enda’s, who hadn’t yet bagged their initial senior championship.
Regarding the Dublin honour roll, Kilmacud looks to take second place clear if they manage to emerge victorious in the final. This is notable as their first of 11 titles only came in 1992, a long 46 years after O’Toole’s claimed their 11th victory.
While the reigning champions are largely anticipated to win, a number of club members might recall the Dublin under-21 final in 2009. During that match, they faced an underestimated Cuala team and things unexpectedly turned in favour of the underdogs who eventually won 2-7 to 0-6. The outcome of the game indeed proves that it’s often matter of slim differences.
Football finals that occurred over the weekend in two counties ended in ties which will now need to be replayed. The match in Leitrim was close to being won by Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s who had previously triumphed three years before, until defending champions Mohill made a comeback and Matthew Murphy, who was substituted in, achieved a late levelling goal.
Meanwhile, in Carlow, a match-up between Palatine and Rathvilly, champions from 2022 and 2021 respectively, also required a replay. This was due to Liam Molloy and Liam Gavin achieving two last minute points to tie the game.
Elsewhere, some thrilling and heart-wrenching matches brought about by the “winner of the day” rules took place in Clare. Sixmilebridge triumphed over Inagh-Kilnamona, paving the way to meet Saturday’s triumphant semi-finalists Feakle in the hurling finals. This was after a protracted overtime and penalties round, where David Fitzgerald’s penalty soared over the bar for Sixmilebridge. It was a bittersweet end for Fitzgerald’s impressive season which also witnessed an All-Ireland and League double.
In the Cork football championship, Nemo Rangers secured a place in the semi-finals following a 5-4 penalty victory over Clonakilty, when overtime could not settle a winner. The determining kick was delivered by Ross Corkery, a descendant of previous All Star Colin, done impeccably.
On another note, the Cork hurling semi-finals unfolded differently. Imokilly, a divisional team, claimed a stress-free nine-point victory against Blackrock to reach their 10th final. The team from the east of Cork have held a strong record since making their presence known 27 years ago, having secured five titles, one of which was won consecutively, and another was a triple win, since then.
The 1997 final will be recreated this year as champions Sarsfields, who were also contenders then, secured their semi-final against Midleton. It appeared that Conor Lehane’s last moment levelling goal had paved the way for overtime, however, last year’s leading scorer Aaron Myers intervened, winning the match 0-22 to 0-21, narrowly. The match ended with a phrase capturing the unfortunate outcome- “Village pillaged”.
In twentieth-century Kilkenny hurling folklore, it is often questioned why Brian Cody, who guided the county to 11 All-Ireland championships, was selected as the manager, given the track record with his homely club, James Stephens. In his memoir, Cody echoed the same sentiment, confessing that his stint as the manager of The Village was arguably not very successful, especially in terms of procuring trophies. As such, it wasn’t overtly apparent why John Healy, the county chairman, or the board members would consider him.
Following his retirement, post an illustrious county performance record, Cody reconnected with his club, but the club’s fortune did not seem to change substantially. In three years, the club experienced a swift decline, from losing a county final to suffering a defeat in the last year’s semi-final, and most recently, on Saturday, they lost in a relegation playoff against Glenmore. This signifies an unfortunate end to their continuous 70 years presence in the senior league.
However, Kilkenny does not stand alone in this descent. Over the weekend, Galway’s Kiltormer, the illustrious winners of the Tommy Moore in 1992, were also relegated to junior hurling next year after losing a playoff against Kilbeacanty.
The results of both Mayo football semi-finals were determined after extra time. Ballina Stephenites were victorious over Ballaghaderreen while Knockmore turned the game around to vanquish Breaffy. For the fifth consecutive year, these local rivals were set to compete in the county final, making it a first in two decades since they last played against each other, a game which was won by Ballina.
Following a nail-biting Sunday match against Ballina that ended with a score of 1-18 to 2-12, an elusive goal by Shairoze Akram for the rivals was thwarted, securing Ballina a shot at the third straight final.
In a following match, Breaffy appeared to have the upper hand, but Knockmore’s resilience triumphed. Despite an initial advantage, when Pearse Ruttledge’s expulsion tipped the scales in Breaffy’s favour, they were also left with a man less following Conor Beirne’s red card. The game was finally clinched by Knockmore with a 2-15 to 0-18 victory, thanks to late goals in extra time from replacements Charlie Bourke and Billy Ruane.