McManamon leads way as Jude’s defeat Skerries in SFC1 quarter-final

DUBLIN SFC1 QUARTER-FINAL

ST JUDE’S 1-17 SKERRIES HARPS 1-10

A strong start to the second-half put St Jude’s on their way to victory in this Dublin SFC1 quarter-final in Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The sides were level 0-6 each at the break with Harps having played with wind advantage.

Jude’s though opened with serious intent at the start of the second period when hitting 1-5 without reply in a 13-minute spell.

The goal was a superb individual effort from Kevin McManamon who got possession on halfway and drove at the Harps defence, weaving his way deep into enemy territory - his initial goal attempt was parried by Skerrie’s keeper Cormac Rocks but the Dublin senior reacted best to rise and fist the rebound to the net.

McManamon was central to Jude’s victory, he scored 1-5 (0-2f) and was busy all afternoon with the likes of Diarmuid McLoughlin and Tom Devlin also playing telling, leading roles in the Tymon North club’s victory.

Pádraic Clarke, Niall Coakley and Tom Devlin were all on target within six minutes of the second-half restart with further scores from Kevin McManamon, off his left, and Diarmuid McLoughlin extending their lead.

They could also have added a goal but Niall Coakley was acrobatically denied by Cormac Rocks.

McManamon’s excellent goal made it 1-11 to 0-6 for Jude’s but Skerries found new lift and battled back with three fine points before the water-break.

Keeper Rocks slotted a ‘45’, then Skerries pressurised the Jude’s kickout with Jack Smith involved twice before firing over Paul Copeland’s crossbar.

Adam Fearon, a Dublin U20 this year, then showed great pace to create an opening and made no mistake off his left, 1-11 to 0-9.

Just inside the last ten minutes Skerries had a goal opportunity with Stephen Smith making ground close to goal, he lost possession but it dropped for full-forward Ciarán Murphy who struck first-time but his shot sliced wide.

Jude’s tagged on points through McManamon (free), following a foul on Simon King, and Coakley following good interplay between McManamon and Mark Sweeney to lead 1-13 to 0-9.

Harps hopes were lifted when Killian McGinnis, showed a good finishing touch to slide the ball to the corner of Copeland’s net, but crucially Jude’s reacted immediately with Tom Devlin and Diarmuid McLoughlin on target.

Before the finish Harps had another sighting of goal but following a powerful Rob McKee run his shot was saved by Copeland with Oisín Manning denying Mark Boylan on the rebound.

In the first-half Skerries, playing with the wind, elected to drive long high ball at targetman full-forward Ciarán Murphy, it resulted in some success but overall Jude’s looked more of a threat.

Led by McManon Jude’s were 0-4 to 0-2 to the good at the water-break but Harps concluded the half on an upward curve.

A Niall Coakley free made it 0-5 to 0-2 before Killian McGinnis pointed for Harps, then Ciarán Murphy won a mark and scored from a good ball in from Dublin All-Ireland winning captain of 2011, Bryan Cullen.

Keeper Cormac Rocks converted a ‘45’, like he was to do again in the second period, and by the interval and Stephen Smith free, after a foul on Adam Fearon, left it all-square, 0-6 each at the half-time interval.

SCORERS – St Jude’s: K McManamon 1-5 (0-2f), D McLoughlin, T Devlin, N Coakley (0-1f) 0-3 each, K Doherty, P Clarke, S King 0-1 each. Skerries Harps: K McGinnis 1-2, S Smith (0-2f), C Rocks (0-2 ‘45’), C Murphy (mark), J Smith, A Fearon, E McGinley 0-1 each.

ST JUDE’S: P Copeland; O Manning, J McGuire, C Fitzpatrick; T Lahiff, M Sweeney, Rian Wallace; C Murphy, K Doherty; T Devlin, C Guckian, D McLoughlin; N Coakley, K McManamon, P Clarke. Subs: S King for Guckian (42), S Ryan for Murphy (45), P Spillane for Doherty (45), D Sheehy for Clarke (50), R Martina for Fitzpatrick (55).

SKERRIES HARPS: C Rocks; F O’Leary, R McGarry, E Smith; S Rocks, B Cullen, J Smith; M Boylan, E McGinley; K McGinnis, A Fearon, H Dawson; S Smith, C Murphy, K Gilmore. Subs: R McKee for Gilmore (40), S Jones for McGarry (45), R Clinton for S Smith (55), D Cotter for J Smith (58), R Delaney for Murphy (58).

REF: D Stynes (St Peregrine'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.