Glen avenge All-Ireland final defeat with dramatic one-point win over Kilmacud Crokes

The Derry side survived a frantic finish to claim a spot in the championship decider again. 

Mark O'Leary of Kilmacud Crokes in action against Conleth McGuckian of Glen at Páirc Esler in Newry. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

GLEN (Derry) 1-14 KILMACUD CROKES (Dublin) 2-10 

Glen avenged last year’s controversial All-Ireland final defeat to Kilmacud in a barely playable semi-final in Newry.

In thick fog, Glen had seen their seven-point lead devoured by Crokes by the 55th minute when substitute Hugh Kenny found the net.

Alex Doherty responded with their first score in 22 minutes to restore their advantage only for Crokes’ goalkeeper David Higgins to level the game once more in the penultimate minute of normal time.

Emmett Bradley’s additional time free gave Glen a cushion once more and it increased to four when Conor Glass put enough pressure on Andrew McGowan for Ethan Doherty to take advantage and kick the ball to the net.

However, the drama was not over. Shane Walsh’s kick foiled everyone including Glen goalkeeper Connlan Bradley and the margin was the minimum once more. However, Walsh’s last-gasp chance to send the game into extra-time went wide and Glen were victorious.

Kilmacud had been quickest to cut through the dense Down air. Luke Ward and Mark O’Leary were on target inside the first five minutes. Ward followed up after Craig Dias’ attempt was blocked down and Walsh found O’Leary for his score.

In the same amount of time, Glen were ahead though. Opening up with a point from play, Danny Tallon followed it with a couple of frees. A goal looked on for Glen in the 12th minute but Jack Doherty touched the ball on the ground and the incentive was lost.

After a swift dummy onto his left foot, Walsh levelled the game in the 18th minute but Glen were ahead once more in the 22nd minute, although Jack Doherty was injured in the process of winning Emmett Bradley’s free.

Not for the last time, Glen capitalised on the resultant kick-out and Bradley curled over from play. Michael Warnock, Walsh’s marker, sped through to convert a 24th minute point to push the Watty Grahams club three clear.

A collective effort to thwart Paul Mannion on the sideline in the 26th minute summed up Glen’s attitude. A third Tallon free extended the lead to four prior to a Mannion free and a Ciarán McFaul score to restore the two-score margin.

Again from the restart, Glen were sharper and Glass joined the scoring party to make it a five-point game at the break, 0-9 to 0-4.

Scorers for Glen: D. Tallon (0-5, 4 frees); E. Bradley (0-3, 2 frees); E. Doherty (1-0); M. Warnock, C. McFaul, C. Glass, C. Mulholland, E. Mulholland, A. Doherty (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: S. Walsh (1-2, 0-1 45); P. Mannion (0-4, 2 frees); H. Kenny (1-0); L. Ward, M. O’Leary, C. O’Connor, D. Higgins (0-1 each).

GLEN: C. Bradley; M. Warnock, R. Dougan, C. Carville; J. McDermott, C. McFaul, C. Mulholland; C. Glass, E. Bradley; E. Doherty, J. Doherty, E. Mulholland; C. McGuckian, D. Tallon, T. Flanagan.

Subs for Glen: C. Convery for J. Doherty (inj 22); A. Doherty for R. Dougan (41).

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

Subs for Kilmacud Crokes: C. O’Connor for L. Ward, H. Kenny for B. Sheehy (both h-t); D. Dempsey for S. Cunningham (44); P. Purcell for D. Mullin (60+1).

Referee: C. Lane (Cork).