Ballyboden underline class as they see off Na Fianna for first Dublin crown since 2019
HOW SWEET IT IS: Ballyboden’s Cathal Flaherty lifts the trophy after the Dublin Senior Football Championship Final at Parnell Park between Na Fianna and Ballyboden St. Enda's. Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott
In the end, Ballyboden St Endas finished just as they started, with a big win over Na Fianna to claim a fifth Dublin SFC title.
Back in August, Eamonn O'Reilly's side blitzed Na Fianna by 17 points when the clubs met in a surprisingly one-sided group opener.
There wasn't anything like that gap between them this time, and the scores were tied at 0-9 apiece with 43 minutes, but 'Boden were still full value for the win and their first title since 2019.
They asked more of the probing questions throughout and when they hit the afterburners in the closing quarter hour or so at Parnell Park, Na Fianna had no answer.
Galway's Cein D'Arcy struck the vital goal for the Firhouse Road side in the 53rd minute, opening up a seven-point gap which they later stretched to nine.
Dublin forward Colm Basquel was terrific for 'Boden too, scoring two points and winning five frees that leading scorer Daire Sweeney, who struck 0-8 overall, converted.
It was a downer for Na Fianna who, with their hurlers in county final action next Saturday, had hoped to secure the first half of a dream double.
Instead it was an unwanted double of defeats to 'Boden who will now advance to a Leinster club quarter-final tie against the Wexford representatives on November 16.
Rain fell throughout, mitigating against a repeat of the high-scoring August encounter when the teams tallied 7-32 between them.
Former Clare star Keelan Sexton played in that game but missed out this time while ex-Dublin attacker Ryan Basquel and Kieran Kennedy were late withdrawals too.
All eyes were on Daire Sweeney for 'Boden after his terrific 2-8 in the dramatic semi-final win over 2024 champions Cuala.
He slotted five first-half points into the golf club end of the Donneycarney venue but also winced at three wides.
Na Fianna had the first-half wind advantage, and it was significant, but they only really got it going for a 10-minute spell midway through the half.
They scored six of their seven first-half points in that period, pinning 'Boden in on their own kick-out and punishing them with a series of scores.
Conor McHugh's peach of a point from the left wing was the pick of the bunch and the dual star played in ex-Dublin footballer Ciaran Reddin for another.
But the Mobhi Road men spent much of their time funnelling back and protecting the D as the likes of Jonny Cooper and Eoin Murchan dug in.
Na Fianna's James Doran, their matchwinner in the previous two games, was also foiled with a goal attempt by a terrific Peter Healy tackle.
Former All-Star Basquel grabbed an early point for 'Boden as they initially opened up a 0-3 to 0-1 advantage. Wearing number 11 but flitting between the two attacking lines, Basquel also won two frees that Sweeney converted while Ryan O'Dwyer nailed a beauty from the left wing too.
But it was anyone's game and they were level again at 0-8 and 0-9 after the restart. Ballyboden defender Healy then showed his attacking ability, capitalising on the stiff wind for a 44th minute two-pointer. The influential O'Dwyer added a point and suddenly the southsiders led by three, 0-12 to 0-9.
Sweeney stretched the gap to four with his seventh point and now there was real daylight between them.
The D'Arcy goal left 'Boden 1-14 to 0-10 clear and while Na Fianna rallied late on with a goal from sub Sexton, it was far too late to suggest they might reel in the opposition like they did in the quarter and semi-finals.
Daire Sweeney 0-8 (7f), Cein D'Arcy 1-0, Peter Healy 0-2 (tp), Colm Basquel 0-2, Ryan O'Dwyer 0-2, Alex Gavin 0-1, James Holland 0-1.
Conor McHugh 0-5 (2f), Brian O'Leary 0-4 (3f), Keelan Sexton 1-0, James Doran 0-2, Ciaran Reddin 0-1.
Hugh O'Sullivan; Brian Bobbett, Shane Clayton, Cathal Flaherty; Alex Gavin, Peter Healy, Patrick Warren; Cein Darcy, James Holland; John McGuire, Ryan O'Dwyer, James Madden; Ross McGarry, Colm Basquel, Daire Sweeney.
Ryan Baines for Clayton 3, Callum O'Dwyer for McGuire 45, Kieran Kennedy for Warren 51, Harry Donaghy for Healy 58, Darren O'Reilly for Madden 60.
David O'Hanlon; Fiachra Potts, Adam Rafter, Jonny Cooper; Niall McGovern, Eoin Murchan, Oscar Donohoe; James Doran, Killian Deeley; Conor Early, Brian O'Leary, David Quinn; Conor McHugh, Ciaran Reddin, Sean Caffrey.
Vinny Flynn for Deeley 34, Keelan Sexton for Caffrey 46, Darragh Kennedy for McGovern 49, Diarmuid Clerkin for Quinn 51, David Lacey for Reddin 56.
Darren Delaney (Wanderers).
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