Exciting SFC1 semi-finals on the cards

Holders St Vincent’s put their Dublin SFC on the line this weekend when both SFC1 semi-finals take place in Parnell Park.

The Marino men who impressed in their quarter-final demolition of Castleknock face St Jude’s in Sunday’s semi-final (4.0) which has the SFC2 semi-final clash of Thomas Davis and Cuala (2.15) on the undercard.

Thomas Davis impressed when defeating Nh Olaf in their refixed quarter-final on Wednesday night.

Vincent’s ended Jude’s dreams of a first Dublin title at the last-four stage last year when two second-half dismissals told against the Templeogue side as Vins moved away from them in the concluding minutes.

On Saturday Ballyboden St Enda’s encounter Kilmacud Crokes (5.30) with FIngallians and St Mary’s of Saggart meeting in their SFC2 semi-final (3.45) as the curtain-raiser.

Boden overcame Na Fianna with a bit to spare in their quarter-final but manager Anthony Rainbow, the former Kildare senior star, is looking for his side to improve again.

“We were very pleased with how the lads performed in the quarter-final and I think that our movement and set-up was in keeping with some very good performances that we have had in the league,” said Anthony.

“We managed to put in some excellent displays at the start of the year in the league but, for some reason, it didn’t really work out for us in the championship.

“Up until the Na Fianna match, we haven’t played especially well in the championship and it’s difficult to work out why that is the case but the lads are learning all the time and taking new systems on board.

“The lads have all put an awful lot of work into the season and it’s great for them to have a championship semi-final to look forward to.

“Of course, we know how tough it will be at the weekend but it’s a match that you want to be involved in at this stage of the season.

“Looking ahead to the Kilmacud game, I would certainly see them as hot favourites given that they beat us in both the championship and the league this year.

“Of course, it’s going to be a very tough game for both teams and the local element to it adds further spice.

“It is such a massive game for both teams and it’s all about who performs on the day.

“Kilmacud have some excellent players all the way through their team and they have forwards that are more than capable of putting up some big scores.

“They have some very quick and talented attackers and it’s not just about Paul Mannion in terms of the threat that they possess.

“Of course, he is a very important player for them but Shane Horan at wing-forward has enjoyed a fabulous year for them and Callum Pearson is another forward who can win a game on his own.

“Pat Burke is still a handful and when you look through their team, there is plenty of quality all the way through it and Cian O’Sullivan is also expected to return from injury so that should strengthen them further.

“We have some excellent players of our own and our forwards will be looking to take the game to the Crokes defence and that’s why I expect it to be a tight and high-scoring match.”

SATURDAY

DUBLIN SFC2 SEMI-FINAL

Parnell Park: St Mary’s Saggart v Fingallians, 3.45

DUBLIN SFC1 SEMI-FINAL

Parnell Park: Kilmacud Crokes v Ballyboden St Enda’s, 5.30

SUNDAY

DUBLIN SFC2 SEMI-FINAL

Parnell Park: Thomas Davis v Cuala, 2.15

DUBLIN SFC1 SEMI-FINAL

Parnell Park: St Jude’s v St Vincent’s, 4.0