Walsh goal drives Kilmacud Crokes to third Dublin title in a row

Ballyboden have little in response as reigning champions turn decider into a procession after Galway forward's decisive strike

KEY MOMENT: Shane Walsh of Kilmacud Crokes scores his side's first goal despite the best efforts of Cathal Flahety of Ballyboden St Endas during the Dublin County Senior Club Football Championship Final between Kilmacud Crokes and Ballyboden St Endas at Parnell Park in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

DUBLIN SFC Final: KILMACUD CROKES 1-14 BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S 0-9 

Shane Walsh’s 40th minute goal was integral to Kilmacud Crokes becoming the first team since Na Fianna in 2001 to claim three consecutive Dublin senior football titles.

Kilmacud had full control of the game before Walsh on the counter made the most of Hugh Kenny’s interception of James Holland. Nevertheless, the score sent the 2022-23 All-Ireland winners six points clear when that’s all Ballyboden St Enda’s had to their names to that point.

From there to the final whistle, the game was largely processional as Crokes, who had already been comfortable sitting back and soaking up what Boden threw at them, carried on and lapped up their opponents’ frenetic attempts to stage a comeback.

Crokes led from Mark O’Leary’s third-minute point to the half-time interval when their margin was two, 0-7 to 0-5. Their football was more efficient than Ballyboden’s and their first wide of the opening period came with the last kick of it, Walsh’s 45 after Darragh Gogan kept out Shane Horan’s effort.

Crokes were content to stay deep and the likes of Paul Mannion and Walsh had turns manning the middle of their defensive cover. For Boden’s first score, Shane Donohoe turned the ball over three times in a few seconds to initiate the attack that finished with a Ross McGarry strike.

Ballyboden squared matters in the seventh minute but the next 15 minutes belonged to Crokes as Shane Horan and Ryan Jones found their targets from mid-range. After Colm Basquel struck his second, Mannion curled over a beautiful effort in the 18th minute upon receipt of a quick Dara Mullin pass and three minutes later Dan O’Brien stepped up the field to convert a point with the outside of his right boot.

With blocks and sheer numbers, Crokes were irritating St Enda’s although they strung together a couple of points within a minute when a Ryan Basquel followed a free with one from play after another fine example of high fielding from Colm Darcy.

Mannion responded with another gorgeous score from distance to restore Crokes’ two-point cushion prior to Horan’s attempt, the only genuine goal opening of the half.

Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: S. Walsh (1-2); P. Mannion (1 free), S. Cunningham (0-3 each); M. O’Leary, S. Horan, A. Jones, D. O’Brien, D. Mullin, C. O’Connor (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballyboden St Enda’s: C. Basquel (0-4, 2 frees); R. Basquel (1 free), R. McGarry (0-2 each); D. Sweeney (0-1).

KILMACUD CROKES: D. Higgins; D. O’Brien, T. Clancy, J. Murphy; A. McGowan, A. Jones, R. O’Carroll; B. Sheehy, M. O’Leary; S. Horan, P. Mannion, D. Mullin; H. Kenny, S. Cunningham, S. Walsh.

Subs: C. O’Connor for S. Horan (42); L. Ward for H. Kenny (51); D. Dempsey for S. Cunningham (58); A. Quinn for A. Jones (59); L. Flatman for M. O’Leary (60+2).

BALLYBODEN ST ENDA’S: D. Gogan; C. Flaherty, B. Bobbett, S. Clayton; K. Kennedy, J. Jolland, A. Gavin; C. Darcy, M.D. Macauley; L. O’Donohue, R. McGarry, W. Egan; R. O’Dwyer, R. Basquel, C. Basquel.

Subs: M. McDonald for M.D. Macauley (h-t); D. Sweeney for K. Kennedy, R. Baynes for L. O’Donohue (both 45); D. O’Reilly for R. O’Dwyer (48); L. McHugh for B. Bobbett (51).

Referee: D. Feeney (Parnells).