Costello’s tally third highest in SFC of all-time as Dubs await opponents

Wed, 29th May 2019

Dublin's senior footballers will have to wait another week before knowing their Leinster SFC semi-final opposition following the draw between Kildare and Longford after extra-time last Sunday.

The sides will meet again in Tullamore this coming Sunday with the eventual winners progressing to face the Dubs seven days later in Croke Park, alongside the other semi-final between Meath and Laois.

Last Saturday Dublin hit the ground running as they cruised to a 26-point victory (5-21 to 0-10) over Louth in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Before the game there was an loud minute's applause to honour the memory of the late, great Anton O'Toole.

Anton won four All-Ireland SFC medals with the Dubs (1974, 1976, 1977, 1983), eight Leinsters (1974-1979, 1983, 1984) as well as two NFL Division 1 titles (1976, 1978) and is one of six Dublin footballers to win three All Stars in successive seasons - Anton O'Toole (1975-77), Tommy Drumm (1977-79), Barney Rock (1983-85), John O'Leary (1993-95), Charlie Redmond (1993-95), and Paul Flynn (2012-14).

'The Blue Panther', as Anton is affectionately known as, was synonymous with the Dublin No 10 jersey - he would have been delighted with the display of the man who wore No 10 against the Wee County, Cormac Costello.

After the game last Saturday night Dublin manager Jim Gavin paid tribute to Anton: “What I learn from it is they’re a very humble group. To see their application and diligence in how they apply themselves?.?.?.?and even last week, there’s a great sense of community within Dublin GAA and how they paid their respects to Anton O’Toole.

“There certainly has been a lot of sadness in Dublin GAA. But it’s also been a celebration. There was a fantastic eulogy by Father Joe Kennedy in Mount Argus about Anton’s life and I think players picked up on that.

“Anton was an outstanding man, first and foremost. But a brilliant football player and I think they honoured his memory by putting in a performance like that.”

Costello's display was one of many positives from Dublin's perspective as the now look ahead to their Leinster SFC semi-final on Sunday, June 9.

Cormac had tallied of 1-12 (0-10f, 0-1 '45') as well as several other positive contributions when they No 10 when up in the 63rd minute for the Whitehall Colmcille sharpshooter to be replaced by championship debutant Seán Bugler.

Cormac's tally is now the third highest ever by a Dublin player in a SFC match, coming in behind Johnny Joyce (5-3 v Longford, 1960) and John McCarthy (3-7 v Carlow, 1978).

In an interview in recent years St Vincent's man Johnny Joyce stated that in fact he had scored 6-3 and incorrectly one of his goals was officially marked down as an own goal.

‘‘It’s a record that has never been equalled, but I always maintain that it should be six goals not five. I had an open goal to shoot at and Longford corner-back Billy Morgan stuck out his leg and the ball went in off him. It was recorded as an own goal,’’ said Johnny.

‘‘Over the years players came close to equalling my total and I think Rory Gallagher (3-9 for Fermanagh v Monaghan 2002) equalled my points total of 18. But anybody who came close were always free takers. All of my scores came from play, Ollie Freaney took nearly all the frees for Dublin when I played.’’

In last Saturday night's victory over the Wee County Cormac Costello was building on his impressive league form when he finished as joint-second top-scorer after tallying 2-13 (0-4f, 0-1 mark) alongside Paul Mannion (2-13; 0-4f, 0-3 marks) and behind Dean Rock (2-32; 0-19f, 0-3 marks, 0-1 '45').

So it's Kildare or Longford up next for the Dubs and Jim Gavin's men will be hoping to build on the momentum generated by last Saturday's opening night victory.

DUBLIN TOP-SCORERS IN A SINGLE SFC GAME

1 Johnny Joyce 5-3 (18) v Longford; May 29, 1960

2 John McCarthy 3-7 (16) v Carlow; June 18, 1978

3 Cormac Costello 1-12 (15) v Louth; May 25, 2019

4 Jimmy Keaveney 1-11 (14) v Louth; July 6, 1975

=4 Bernard Brogan 2-8 (14) v Westmeath; June 28, 2009

6 Dean Rock 1-10 (13) v Laois; June 4, 2016

=6 Jimmy Keaveney 3-4 (13) v Longford; Jun2 27, 1976

8 Dean Rock 0-12 (12) v Kerry; August 28, 2016

=8 Barney Rock 1-9 (12) v Longford; June 6, 1982

=8 Jimmy Keaveney 2-6 (12) v Armagh; September 25, 1977

11 Barney Rock 0-11 (11) v Westmeath; June 7, 1987