Kilmacud Crokes Edged Out By Glen In Thrilling All-Ireland Semi Final

GLEN 1-14 

KILMACUD CROKES 2-10 

Kilmacud Crokes’ hopes of defending their AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship title were dashed at a foggy Páirc Esler on Sunday afternoon as they succumbed to Ulster champions Glen by the bare minimum in their absorbing semi-final encounter.

The Ulster Champions looked the better side for the bulk of the encounter but Crokes showed wonderful reserves of energy and commitment as they clawed their way back into contention in the final quarter.

They managed to draw level through a Hugh Kenny goal in the 55^th minute and while an Ethan Doherty goal in added time pushed Glen four points ahead, Shane Walsh replied with a speculative effort to leave Kilmacud in with a chance of forcing extra-time.

However, Walsh was unable to avail of their final opportunity as his point attempt drifted wide, putting the seal on a brave but ultimately unsuccessful performance.

It was Kilmacud that made the more impressive start and they opened the scoring in the 3^rd minute as Luke Ward popped over via the crossbar following a strong incision down the centre by Andrew McGowan.

Mark O’Leary doubled the Crokes advantage two minutes later but that bright opening proved a false dawn as their opponents gradually took control of matters.

Danny Tallon opened the Glen account soon after and the full-forward restored parity with a facile free-kick in the 9^th minute, one of a number conceded by an unusually ill-disciplined Kilmacud defence.

Another Tallon free edged Watty Graham in front by the 10^th minute as Crokes struggled to make inroads against a tight-marking Glen rearguard.

They did eventually level matters through an excellent Shane Walsh score in the 18^th minute but that effort proved an isolated moment of encouragement as they lacked their customary verve up front.

Emmet Bradley converted another straightforward free in the 22^nd minute and he added a booming point off his left boot within a minute to translate his team’s general wellbeing on the scoreboard.

The procession towards the Crokes goal continued as a smart Michael Warnock point preceded another Tallon free before Paul Mannion ended a barren period of eleven minutes when converting a free following a foul on Ward.

A three-point interval deficit may well have proved acceptable for Crokes but Glen finished the half on the front foot with both Ciaran McFaul and Conor Glass kicking inspirational scores to push their side 0-9 to 0-4 ahead at the turnaround.

Matters deteriorated for the Dublin and Leinster holders in the early stages of the second-half as they fell further in arrears with a Tallon free and a Cathal Mulholland point adding to their troubles.

The introduction of both Kenny and Cian O’Connor gave Kilmacud some much-needed verve and they slowly but surely found a more consistent level with O’Connor, Mannion and Walsh all on target.

When Mannion added two points in quick succession, the Crokes comeback was becoming increasingly viable and they returned to parity in the 55^th minute when Kenny gathered Walsh’s exceptional pass before calmly rolling home from eight yards.

Alex Doherty spurned a goal chance at the opposite end soon after, blazing over from close range, and Kilmacud availed of that let-off to draw level in the 58^th minute through goalkeeper David Higgins.

Glen regrouped to edge back in front from a Bradley free and from the resultant kick-out, Crokes lost possession close to goal, and with Higgins stranded, Ethan Doherty had the simplest of tasks of netting from ten yards.

Back came Kilmacud as Walsh’s delivery from the right landed untouched in the Glen goal and while Crokes secured possession from the kick-out, the Galway star was unable to point from a presentable position.

Scorers – Glen: D Tallon 0-5 (4f), E Doherty 1-0, E Bradley 0-3 (2f), M Warnock, C McFaul, C Glass, C Mulholland, E Mulholland, A Doherty 0-1 apiece. Kilmacud Crokes: S Walsh 1-2 (0-1 ’45), P Mannion 0-4 (2f), H Kenny 1-0, L Ward, M O’Leary, C O’Connor, D Higgins 0-1 apiece.

Glen: C Bradley; M Warnock, R Dougan, C Carville; J McDermott, C McFaul, C Mulholland; C Glass, E Bradley; E Doherty, J Doherty, E Mulholland; C McGuckian, D Tallon, T Flanagan. Subs: C Conroy for J Doherty (21), A Doherty for Dougan (40).

Kilmacud Crokes: D Higgins; J Murphy, T Clancy, D O’Brien; A McGowan, R O’Carroll, M O’Leary; B Sheehy, C Dias; S Horan, S Cunningham, L Ward; P Mannion, D Mullin, S Walsh. Subs: H Kenny for Ward (half-time), C O’Connor for Sheehy (half-time), D Dempsey for Cunningham (43), P Purcell for Mullin (61).

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).