Preview: Go-Ahead Senior 1 Football Semi Finals

Tue, 3rd October 2023

By Conor Martin

A place in the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship Final 2023 is up for grabs this weekend, as four teams battle it out at Parnell Park.

Kilmacud Crokes v Raheny, Saturday 7th October, Parnell Park, 4:45pm

Defending champions Kilmacud Crokes take on Raheny in the first of the weekend’s semi-finals in the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship 2023 on Saturday.

Crokes topped Group 2 with a 100% record from their three games, before they beat Ballymun Kickhams by four points in the quarter-final.

Shane Walsh was key last time out for Kilmacud, as he scored 0-5 (2 ‘45’, 1f) while Dublin’s Paul Mannion also impressed as Kilmacud saw out the game.

Their opponents Raheny have enjoyed an improved 2023 Championship, after finishing rock bottom of their group with only a point to show for their efforts last year before winning the relegation play-off.

Rob Hennelly’s free taking was clinical as he, Darren Lunney and Cian Ivers stood out as Raheny edged out St Vincents 0-14 to 1-8 to advance into the last four where a first senior final in 53 years will be their reward should they beat Kilmacud Crokes.

St Judes v Ballyboden St Endas, Sunday 8th October, Parnell Park, 4:00pm

In the second semi-final, St Judes and Ballyboden St Endas go head-to-head for a spot in the final.

St Judes were made to dig deep in the quarter-finals and came from behind to beat a well organised and talented Cuala side.

Darragh Rooney hit an impressive 1-7 (0-6f), while Tom Lahiff also found the net as St Judes kept their Championship alive.

The Templeogue based club have never won the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship but have reached the finale on three occasions, in 2009 and 2018, with their most recent final appearance coming in 2021 where they were beaten by a solitary point by Kilmacud Crokes.

On the other hand, Ballyboden St Endas will be going into Sunday’s semi-final full of confidence, after they comfortably beat Castleknock by 11 points in the quarter-finals.

Leading Bodens charge into the semi-final were Ryan and Colm Basquel, with the former converting from the penalty spot as the two brothers did the business in front of goals.

Ballyboden have been right in the mix for the Dublin football crown in recent years. They have gone out in semi-final stage three times in recent years (2018, 2021 and 2022) and were beaten in the 2020 final after their last title came in 2019.

After another impressive Championship campaign so far, Kenny Naughton’s men still have a good chance of claiming a fifth Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Football Championship.

But they are fully aware they must pass a tough test against St Judes before even thinking about the final and title number five.