Fingallians and Castleknock advance to IFC final

Sat, 4th October 2014

Fingallians and Castleknock will meet in this year's Dublin IFC final after Friday night's semi-finals at Parnell Park.

The Swords side took extra-time, as they had in their quarter-final victory over Na Fianna, to beat Ballyboden St Enda's 1-10 to 1-5.

Ciaran McLoughlin's goal in the first minute of extra-time was the crucial score when he fired to the net after being put though on goal by Paul Flynn.

Points from Flynn and sub Darragh Deasy had Fingallians 1-9 to 1-4 in front at half-time in extra-time and they were back once again in the IFC decider.

In normal time Boden had opened the scoring with a Seamus Keane point in the fourth minute but failed to score again in the half as two inspirational Donall Keane points helped Fingallians to a 0-5 to 0-1 interval lead.

Boden improved on the restart and scores from goalkeeper Daragh Grogan ('45') and 1-1 from midfielder Keane had them back in the hunt.

Normal time concluded in a welter of excitement as five minutes into added time Mark Gibson's well struck free looked set to give Fingallians victory before Carl Molony showed great nerve to point from Boden's next attack and force extra-time.

In the second semi-final Castleknock trailed 0-1 to 0-5 at the interval but hit nine unanswered points in the second half to defeat Clan na Gael Fontenoy 0-10 to 0-4.

All Clans scores came from deadballs which were excellently struck by Ricky Joyce but the introduction of subs Dave McConn and Tom Shiels in the second period had Castleknock playing with greater drive as they eventually unlocked Clans defence.

Six points from Dessie Carlos, five frees, were central to their victory while Graham Hannigan, Matt Griffin and Kevin Kindlon slotted important second half scores.