Crokes hit Vincent’s for four in SFC1 last-eight duel

Sat, 29th August 2020

DUBLIN SFC1 QUARTER-FINAL

KILMACUD CROKES 4-15 ST VINCENT’S 1-12

Kilmacud Crokes put in a strong second-half to run out convincing nine-point winners in this Dublin SFC1 quarter-final at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

Playing with the wind in the second half the Crokes inside forward line did the scoring as the Stillorgan side held Vincent’s to just four points in the second period.

Hugh Kenny struck both of Crokes second-half goals with Paul Mannion and Dara Mullin raising green flags during the first-half.

Late on Tomás Quinn had a penalty saved by Crokes keeper Conor Ferris but it would have been only of cosmetic effect to the scoreboard as the southsiders had the outcome well secured.

The Marino men had also seen the conclusion of the game out with 14 men following the black card to Cameron Diamond in the 58th minute in a forgettable second-half for Brian Mullins' side.

Hugh Kenny's first goal came from a long point effort fading wide that he recovered before firing to the net in the 36th minute and he repeated the trick from the far side of the goal 20 minutes later showing good footwork to work the opening before dispatching to the net.

At the break Crokes led by the minimum, 2-6 to 1-8, after an exciting opening 30-plus minutes.

The game opened a great pace with Greg Murphy showing good pace and ambition in the opening minute to cut in off the terrace side and kick the opening score for Vincent’s.

Nathan Mullins made it 0-2 to 0-2 immediately after as Vinnies sought to make good early ground with wind advantage.

Shane Horan, who enjoyed a very influential opening half for Crokes, got his side off the mark before Paul Mannion had the sides level by the third minute.

Mannion looked set to goal a minute later but miscued from six metres after a penetrating run by Shane Horan.

In the ninth minute the same duo linked again, this time Horan’s long delivery broke for Mannion to run onto and he slipped the ball past Michael Savage to give Crokes a 1-2 to 0-3 lead.

It was shortlived as Greg Murphy scored a brilliant individual goal, firing to the net off his left boot, after covering 50 metres.

Points from Tomás Quinn (free), Gavin Burke and Murphy had Vincent’s 1-6 to 1-2 before Crokes stopped them in their stride with a goal from the impressive Dara Mullin, when he fisted an underhit Craig Dias point effort to the net.

The high tempo continued with the half concluding with plenty of goalmouth action, at the St Vincent’s end.

Savage made a great save to deny Dara Mullin following good work by Liam Flatman and then Paul Mannion’s shot looked destined for the net but Mark L’Estrange made a terrific goalline clearance as Crokes led 2-6 to 1-8 at the interval.

SCORERS – Kilmacud Crokes: D Mullin 1-5 (0-1f, 0-1m), P Mannion 1-4 (0-1f), H Kenny 2-1 (0-1m), S Horan 0-3, S Cunningham, P Burke 0-1 each. St Vincent’s: G Murphy 1-2, T Quinn 0-4 (0-2f), N Mullins 0-3, G Burke 0-2, C Diamond 0-1.

KILMACUD CROKES: C Ferris; L Flatman, R O’Carroll, M Mullin; C O’Connor, C O’Sullivan, A McGowan; C Dias, C Casey; D O’Brien, S Cunningham, S Horan; P Mannion, D Mullin, H Kenny. Subs: C O’Shea for M Mullin (14), C Kinsella for O’Brien (48), C Pearson for Cunningham (60), P Burke for Kenny (60).

ST VINCENT’S: M Savage; M Concarr, J Curley, C Wilson; S Lambe, C Diamond, M L’Estrange; E Fennell, N Mullins; A Martin, G Burke, S Carthy; G Murphy, S Lowry, T Quinn. Subs: B Egan for Fennell (35), A Giblin for Concarr (35), L McGovern for Lowry (41), D Connolly for Martin (48), Cian O’Brien for Burke (55).

REF: B Tiernan (O’Dwyer’s).

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2020 DUBLIN SFC1 SEMI-FINALS: Ballymun Kickahms v Kilmacud Crokes; Ballyboden St Enda’s v St Jude’s.

2020 DUBLIN SFC2 SEMI-FINALS: Nh Mearnóg v St Brigid’s; Cuala v Templeogue Synge St.