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CASTLEKNOCK 0-26 THOMAS DAVIS 3-12
Castleknock progressed to their first PTSB Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship decider since 2-16 when accounting for Thomas Davis by five points in their thrilling last-four clash at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.
Castleknock seemed to building a healthy lead for the interval as goalkeeper John Vahey kicked a brace of two-pointed frees but a Chris Sallier goal in added time trimmed their lead to 0-13 to 1-8 by half-time.
The concession of further goals to Seán Farrelly and Adam Waddick undermined their ambitions further but a strong impact from the bench that yielded five points by substitute Ger McDermottroe saw them deserved winners by the final whistle.
There was a lively start to proceedings as Castleknock opened the scoring in the 2nd minute through a two-point free from Vahey.
Fionn Murray replied with a classy effort off his left boot soon after and the bright opening continued as Castleknock’s Ben Galvin and Thomas Davis full-back Josh Lambert traded points by the 6th minute.
While Senan Forker doubled the ‘Knock advantage within a minute, their opponents were enjoying a greater degree of possession in the initial jousts and deservedly drew level through successive points by Cian Murphy and Ryan Deegan.
Parity was short-lived however as Rob Shaw once again showcased his scoring threat with an excellent two-pointer in the 13th minute with Conor Chawke and Forker also on target as Castleknock pushed four points clear.
Back came Thomas Davis with Murphy’s second point sandwiched by two Murray frees but much of that momentum was lost as Vahey ambled up from his goal for his second two-pointer in the 19th minute.
A Lenny Cahill free and Shairoze Akram point saw Castleknock pushed five points clear and they could well have netted in the 21st minute but Kevin Stephenson shot too close to Robert Crilly after a powerful surge down the middle.
Murray offered his side some crumbs of encouragement as he pointed from play in the 26thminute and they ended the half with even more belief as Sallier raced from the half-way line before eventually crashing home past the helpless Vahey.
Cahill fisted a well-worked score involving Forker to offer Castleknock a bright start to the second-half but that optimism was punctured as Farrelly eclipsed Sallier’s earlier finish with a cracking strike in the 35th minute to leave the teams deadlocked at 2-8 to 0-14.
Conor Guilfoyle edged Thomas Davis ahead for the first time in the contest two minutes later and they put daylight between the teams soon after as Waddick burst through before leaving Vahey helpless with another stunning finish.
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