We’re hungry for more: Paul Mannion

Paul Mannion says the Dubs are "hungry for more" as this summer's Leinster SFC looms into view.

The Kilmacud Crokes man, whose side face St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh in Dublin SFC1 action on Thurday night (Parnell Park, 8.15) knows that when you get your chance to capture silverware you have to it.

“I feel lucky to be part of this team, to have enjoyed the success we have had over the last number of years.

“As best we can, we’ll try and focus on our next game this season. We’re hungry (to keep winning)," says Paul.

“We’re looking for consistency, and again a performance. That’s all we’re focused on now. We’re in a position to keep driving it on.

“We’re acutely aware of what we’re representing; the county, the people, the values.

“We take great pride in that, we want to do the jersey justice every time we take to the field, on and off the field. That’s the kind of culture we’re trying to foster.

“Maybe it hasn’t sunk in even yet. It’ll be years gone by when we look back and enjoy it.

“We’ll try and keep it going. We’re hungry for more.”

Before this summer's intercounty action gets underway Paul will be hoping that Crokes can build on the promise they showed in their Dublin SFC1 opening round.

Mannion showed all his big-game experience when helping Crokes to their Dublin SFC1 opening round victory over Ballyboden St Enda's.

Apart from his role in their third goal of their 3-12 to 1-11 he also converted two sublime late frees to see his side to victory.

Two first half goals from Shane Horan set Crokes on the road to their seven-point victory over Ballyboden.

In a great contest both goals came within a two-minute spell to see the Stillorgan side head into the break 2-6 to 0-6 in front.

Crokes opened well with points from Cian O'Connor, Dan O'Brien and Pat Burke before Boden rallied with scores from the impressive James Madden, Darren O'Reilly and a Colm Basquel free.

Crokes first goal came in the 13th minute following clinical interplay between Horan and Craig Dias saw Horan through on goal and under pressure he found the corner of Conor Dooley's net.

Two minutes later Horan showed good soccer skills to fire a ball over the top past Dooley - Liam Flatman's brilliantly judged long handpass inviting the shot out of his full-forward.

However, after just 28 seconds of the second half Madden showed his blistering pace to cut open the Crokes defence and finish emphatically past David Nestor.

He almost repeated the trick later in the half but was blown up for overcarrying just before he fired to the net again.

Inside the last ten minutes points from Madden, Ryan Basquel (free) and Colm Basquel (free) had just two points between the sides, 2-8 to 1-9.

But sub Callum Pearson was to have a telling effect on the final scoreline as he helped himself to 1-2 before the finish.

His goal, in the 53rd minute, was brilliantly executed by Crokes with Mannion picking out O'Brien and he drew the defender before placing Pearson, who blasted home.

Mannion kicked two superb frees before the finish, one from the stand side sideline and a free from over 45 metres to see his side to victory.

This game forms part of an attractive double-header at Parnell Park along with the clash of Ballyboden St Enda's and Raheny (6.45) , first round victors over Plunkett's.

On Friday night Ballymun Kickhams face Clontarf (Balgriffin, 7.15) with Skerries Harps and Lucan Sarsfields meeting at the same time at St Margarets.

A Dean Rock inspired Kickhams had little difficulty in overcoming St Brigid's 2-13 to 1-10 in their opening Dublin SFC Group 4 encounter in Parnell Park.

The Dublin senior scored 1-10 (0-6f, 0-1 '45') in a fine individual display for The Mun who lined out without his county team-mate James McCarthy while Paddy Small was replaced at half-time.

On Saturday defending champions, St Vincent's, face familiar Dublin SFC opponents, northside rivals, Na Fianna.

The clubs have met on numerous times in recent years with the Marino men holding the upperhand.

Vins opened their Dublin SFC Group 2 campaign with a facile 5-18 to 1-9 victory over Skerries Harps in Parnell Park.

Tomás Quinn and Cormac Diamond both helped themselves to a brace of goals in an encounter that was really settled by the half-time interval with the Marino men leading by 4-11 to 0-7.

The same night Na Fianna came with a strong finish to edge out Lucan Sarsfields, 3-9 to 1-10, also in SFC Group 2.

Lucan were two up just inside the concluding ten minutes following points from impressive sub Darren Gavin, his second of the night, and Connor Gallagher but it was the St Mobhi Road men who sprinted to the finishing tape.

Darragh Kennedy finished a fine goal with nine minutes remaining with Seán Caffrey hitting Na Fianna's third goal.

Lucan led 1-4 to 0-6 after a well-balanced opening half.

The meeting of Dublin 15 rivals, Castleknock and St Brigid's, on Saturday in Parnell Park (4.0) is sure to be a well-contested battle.

Castleknock easily accounted for Clontarf, 2-19 to 0-9, in their Dublin SFC1 Group 4 opener.

Ciarán Kilkenny led by example kicking five points from play as well as converting three frees.

Early in the second half Seamus O’Carroll was introduced as a sub – it was to telling effect.

O’Carroll finished with a tally of 2-3 (0-1f) while Michael Galvin (0-3, 1f) and Kevin Kindlon (0-2) were also on the mark.

DUBLIN SFC1: This week's schedule

Thursday, April 26

SFC1 Group 1: Ballyboden St Enda's v Raheny (Parnell Park, 6.45)

SFC1 Group 1: Kilmacud Crokes v St Oliver Plunkett's/ER (Parnell Park, 8.15)

Friday, April 27

SFC1 Group 2: Skerries Harps v Lucan Sarsfields (St Margaret's, 7.15)

SFC1 Group 4: Ballymun Kickhams v Clontarf (Balgriffin, 7.15)

Saturday, April 28

SFC1 Group 2: St Vincent's v Na Fianna (Parnell Park, 5.45)

SFC1 Group 3: St Jude's v Parnell’s (O'Toole Park, 4.0)

SFC1 Group 3: Ballinteer St John's v St Sylvester's (O'Toole Park, 5.45)

SFC1 Group 4: St Brigid's v Castleknock (Parnell Park, 4.0)