Round-Up of the Go-Ahead Ireland Intermediate All County Football Semi-Finals

The semi-finals of the Go-Ahead Ireland Intermediate All County Football Championship took place on Saturday afternoon with Na Fianna securing their place in the decider following a comfortable 1-26 to 3-10 victory over Cuala at St Mobhi Road. 

With the strong wind at their backs, the hosts wasted little time in assuming control of matters with centre-back Niall Cooper and midfielder Sean Smith excelling over the hour for the winners. 

Their influence allowed the Na Fianna forward line to showcase their talents and they duly delivered by kicking a massive 1-18 in the opening-half, all of which came from open play. 

Centre-forward Jack Burke was especially prominent, kicking no less than four two-pointers and with Brian Fox netting just before the break, Na Fianna arrived at the turnaround leading by thirteen points. 

The visitors were far more competitive upon the restart with Peter Jackson, Cuán Nugent and Darragh McAdam all impressing as they battled in vain to play their way back into contention. 

The comeback proved beyond them however as the hosts continued to add to their tally through Donagh Fay, Tom Callaghan and Burke while Cian Grew, Cooper and Seán Hayes made sure there were no further alarms in the Na Fianna defence.    

There was another home win across in Páirc Uí Mhurchú as Ballyboden St Enda’s did enough to get the better of southside rivals Kilmacud Crokes by 1-12 to 1-8.  

In what was a tense and error strewn affair, neither side could establish any concerted rhythm with 1-4 from Luke Byrne proving the difference in the low-scoring encounter. 

The hosts also benefited from further scores by Enda Cashman, Cillian Murray, Colm Dunne, Paddy Curry, Davy Keane and Leon Murphy while the leadership of both captain Dunne and Oisín Carolan was highly evident in the final quarter. 

Of equal importance was Boden’s impact from the bench as Oisín Byrne, Murphy, Sean Keary, Mark McGlynn and Kevin Kirwan all made positive impressions when introduced. 

For Crokes, it proved a disappointing end to their campaign, particularly as they held the initiative at the interval, leading by 1-5 to 0-5 courtesy of a Shane Van Zuydam goal. 

Darragh Jones and Tom Doran kicked three points apiece but those contributions and further scores by Mark Coughlan and Hugh Moran were insufficient by the final whistle. 

IFC County Semi-Finals: Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-12 Kilmacud Crokes 1-8; Na Fianna 1-26 Cuala 3-10.