Kilmacud hit back from eight point deficit to tame Brigid’s

Kilmacud Crokes and Ballymun Kickhams meet in next Monday’s Dublin SFC final after semi-final wins over St Brigid’s and St Jude’s, respectively, in Parnell Park yesterday.

Kilmacud recovered from an eight point interval deficit to dethrone county champions St Brigid’s on a 2-18 to 2-12 scoreline.

Kilmacud started well through early scores from Paul Mannion and Darren Magee but struggled defensively, conceding three points in quick succession to Paddy Andrews, Kevin Bonner and Barry Cahill.

Despite regaining their lead through points from the influential Adrian Morrissey, Mannion and MarkVaughan, Crokes fell apart for the remainder of the half, beginning with the concession of a well worked goal by Craig Kilmurray in the 14th minute. Within two minutes, Andrews availed of a glorious pass from Bonner to dink an impish finish over the on-rushing David Nestor to open up a four point lead.

Buoyed by their midfield dominance provided by John O’Loughlin and Cahill, the reigning holders took full advantage of plentiful possession to build a substantial lead through scores from Andrews, Ken Darcy and Cahill.

Morrissey kicked a crucial score to stem the flow briefly but two late points from Laois senior O’Loughlin ensured Brigid’s enjoyed a healthy 2-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

Remarkably, that lead was eroded as early as the fifth minute of the resumption as Kilmacud exploded into life with Mannion leading the way with an excellent score after 20 seconds.

The lively Pat Burke then jinked his way through the Brigid’s rearguard in the 33rd minute with his low shot from eight yards evading the despairing dive of Shane Supple to reinforce the Kilmacud comeback.

That momentum was maintained as Cian O’Sullivan made a trademark run through the heart of the Brigid’s defence and fired beyond a badly exposed Supple from close range. Points ensued from Craig Dias, Morrissey and Mannion with Brigid’s finally registering their first points of the half through a Darcy free in the 47th minute.

It proved of scant value however as Crokes pulled away in the final ten minutes with substitutes Stephen Williams and Barry O’Rorke making valuable contributions as their side confirmed their final berth with six points to spare.

Kilmacud’s reward is a meeting with Ballymun as Kickhams proved far too strong for a disappointing St Jude’s, prevailing by 1-16 to 1-7.

Ballymun led by 0-10 to 1-4 at the interval with Dean Rock, Kevin Leahy and Ted Furman all kicking a brace of points while Declan Donnellyconverted a 29th minute penalty for the Templeogue club.

However, it was one-way traffic after the break with Furman’s 43rd minute goal effectively settling the outcome and late points from substitutes Derek Byrne and Andy O’Brien embellishing the winning margin.