Round-Up of the Go-Ahead Ireland U21 Football Championship

St Jude’s did just enough to account for a spirited Castleknock by 0-15 to 1-11 in their absorbing Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Under 21 ‘A’ Football Championship semi-final at St Catherine’s Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Their reward is a final date with Ballinteer St John’s next weekend and St Jude’s will arrive fully tested given Saturday’s narrow success and their extra-time victory over Lucan Sarsfields a week previously.  

There was very little to separate the teams throughout with Billy Shouldice handing the visitors the early initiative before Castleknock edged in front through a goal at the end of the first quarter by Joshua Young. 

The free-taking of Eoin Kenny saw St Jude’s keep in touch and the teams were deadlocked at the break as Young added a two-pointer to his earlier goal. 

Early points from Tom Bassett and Jack Browne allowed the visitors to regain the lead with the titanic midfield battle between Castleknock’s Dylan Clarke and Eoghan Costello from St Jude’s worth the admission fee alone. 

Cillian O’Sullivan and Luke Mulgrew continued to impress in the home defence and while Young kicked another two-pointer, a two-pointed free by goalkeeper Joe Moore and a Kenny free settled the issue in the dying moments.    

There was another away win in Bohernabreena as St Margaret’s narrowly got the better of St Anne’s by 2-9 to 2-7 to claim the Under 21 ‘E’ Championship title. 

The visitors shone through the efforts of Charlie Madigan around the middle third while Josh Kennedy’s tireless display was reflected in eight turnovers over the hour. 

Leon Daly top scored for the visitors with six points and with both Shane Madigan and Cian Long finding the net, they did just enough to prevail thanks to further points by Ciaran Bruton, Madigan and Conor McKenna. 

For the hosts, it proved a disappointing result with the impressive individual displays of Dan Dooley and Sean Dunne failing to get them over the line. 

Shayne McKeown scored 1-4, including three points from placed balls, but Luke Perry’s goal and a brace of Stephen Coghlan points proved insufficient by the final whistle.    

A hat-trick of away successes was completed in Man O’War as Round Towers Clondalkin controlled matters for the large part on their way to a comfortable 4-11 to 1-8 victory in the U21 ‘F’ decider.  

The foundation for their win lay at the back with Rory Broderick a strong presence at centre-back while Charlie Kennedy delivered a storming performance at midfield. 

Ben Casey (2-3) and Jack Reilly (2-1) made the most of the supply that came their way with six Aaron Waterhouse points leaving Towers comfortable winners by the end. 

In what was the hosts’ first U21 county final, Danie Moore caught the eye with a personal tally of 1-8, while the likes of goalkeeper Shaun Bolger, Sam Owens, Jack McCauley and Cian Daly more than held their own over the hour.  

U21 ‘A’ FC semi-final: Castleknock 1-11 St Jude’s 0-15. 

U21 ‘E’ FC final: St Anne’s 2-7 St Margaret’s 2-9. 

U21 ‘F’ FC final: Man O’War 1-8 Round Towers Clondalkin 4-11.