Clontarf claim statement win against Kilmacud Crokes in PTSB Dublin SFC 1

Image courtesy of Eamon O'Callaghan

CLONTARF 1-17

KILMACUD CROKES 1-13

Clontarf produced a dominant first-half display on their way to a deserved four-point victory over Kilmacud Crokes in their PTSB Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship Group 2 encounter at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Having played with the benefit of a slight breeze, it was Clontarf that held the upper hand at the turnaround with a 1st minute goal from Charlie Meehan setting the tone as they led by 1-9 to 0-5. 

A superb second-half Dara Mullin goal threatened to undermine their chances but Clontarf would not be denied with Leo Cunningham a hugely influential presence at midfield for the winners.  

Despite falling behind to an early Dara Mullin point, it was Clontarf that made the brighter start as Meehan raced onto Luke O’Boyle’s pass before firing home past Robbie Murray from an acute angle. 

Crokes fell further behind as Jack McCaffrey popped over from distance as ‘Tarf’s lead was stretched to four points by the 3rd minute courtesy of John Hanley. 

Mark O’Leary replied with a well-taken score three minutes later and Kilmacud could have levelled matters but Darragh Devilly was on hand to clear off the line after Jeff Kenny hadflicked the ball over Brian Dufficy in the Clontarf goal. 

There was a scare at the opposite end too as Meehan found space once again but his powerful shot cannoned to safety off Murray’s right-hand upright. 

That same post was struck again in the 18th minute with Darragh Fagan denied on this occasion but a brace of Sean Horkan frees continued to reward Clontarf’s dominance. 

Kilmacud’s goal was leading a charmed life and they were fortunate again as Hanley’s powerful shot deflected over the crossbar with a fine Darragh Fagan point in the 22nd minute increasing Clontarf’s lead to six points. 

A brilliant piece of defending by Devilly yielded another Hanley score and McCaffrey ensured his side enjoyed a healthy seven-point interval advantage as he blocked Cillian O’Shea’s fisted effort.      

Kilmacud’s Cian O’Connor and Kieran McKeown of Clontarf exchanged points early in the second-half and the margin remained the same following further scores by Fagan and O’Connor. 

With Crokes missing the attacking talents of both Paul Mannion and Shane Walsh, their threat remained a sporadic one but a two-pointed free from Murray saw them generate some much-needed momentum. 

That was enhanced as Mullin escaped down the right and showed blistering pace before planting a precise finish past Dufficy from ten yards in the 42nd minute. 

A black card for Clontarf’s Calum Aherne should have helped Crokes further but with substitute Benjamin Kelly kicking two fine scores, ‘Tarf largely controlled matters with Luke O’Boyle and McKeown both on target.      

A superb solo score by McKeown all but settled the issue and Meehan put the icing on the Clontarf cake, scoring his fourth point with the final kick of the contest. 

Scorers – Clontarf: K McKeown (1f), J Hanley 0-4 each; C Meehan 1-0; S Horkan (2f), L O’Boyle, B Kelly, D Fagan 0-2 each; J McCaffrey 0-1. Kilmacud Crokes: D Mullin 1-3 (0-1f), C O’Connor 0-3; R Murray (F2), F Donoghue (P2) 0-2 each; D Dempsey, M O’Leary, D O’Brien 0-1 apiece.  

Clontarf: B Dufficy; S McCann, C Aherne, D Devilly; S Walsh, A Foley, J McCaffrey; DJ O’Flaherty, L Cunningham; C Meehan, K McKeown, L O’Boyle; J Hanley, S Horkan, D Fagan. Subs: P Lynch for McCann (37), B Kelly for Horkan (42), C Goode for Walsh (47), P O’Grady for McCaffrey (49). 

Kilmacud Crokes: R Murray; M Mullin, J Murphy, R McGowan; J Kenny, C O’Shea, A Jones; B Shovlin, T Clancy; S Horan, M O’Leary, C O’Connor; L Ward, D Dempsey, D Mullin. Subs: C Ó Riain for Horan (24), F Donoghue for Ward (half-time), D O’Brien for R McGowan (36), A McGowan for Kenny (46), S Cunningham for Dempsey (54).       

Referee: Dave Feeney (Pobal Parnell).