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Ballymun Kickhams' Dean Rock, James McCarthy and manager Paul Curran celebrate at the final whistle. INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Analysis

Talking Points: Ballymun Kickhams 1-12 Kilmacud Crokes 0-14, Dublin SFC final

Here are some of the areas of debate that emerged from last night’s decider in the capital.

1. A famous triumph for Ballymun
After a 27-year barren spell, last night’s victory was joyously received by everyone associated with Ballymun Kickhams.

It was only their third ever Dublin senior football title and after the struggles they have endured since their last victory in 1985, this was one to savour.

The success was a testament to a club that has rebuilt itself from the depths of having only a single underage team in operation at one juncture in the mid-1990s. They reorganised at grassroots level, county minor crowns were lifted in 2007 and 2008 and it was the stars of those teams like James McCarthy and Dean Rock who were the backbone of last night’s win.

At the core of the club’s remarkable progression is Paddy Christie, who may have achieved national recognition as the 2002 Allstar winning full-back , but has locally in Ballymun been the brainchild of their coaching overhaul at underage level.

With former Dublin defensive great Paul Curran having done an excellent job at the helm of the club’s senior side, they can now face the future in a positive fashion.

2. Dean Rock issues a statement of intent
He had been integral to Ballymun’s advance to the final and on the biggest stage attacker Dean Rock was not found wanting. He shot over seven points, four from play, and showcased his exemplary shooting ability over the hour as he posed a constant threat to the Kilmacud Crokes rearguard.

Rock set the tone from the start in hitting over the opening point of the game, it was his brace before the break that confirmed Ballymun’s superiority to ensure they had a six-point cushion at the midway mark and he also struck a key score in the finale.

It was a special moment for Rock as he emulated the achievement of his father and former Dublin star Barney who secured glory with the club in 1985. After a season where the younger Rock also shone in the Sigerson Cup with champions DCU, he could now be poised for a step up to the senior grade with Dublin.

3. Kilmacud cannot perform another Houdini act
Kilmacud Crokes had reached the final stage after a remarkable second-half revival against St Brigid’s, trailing by eight points at the break but recovering in stunning fashion to triumph by six points. Last night’s game followed a similar pattern as they fell behind at an early stage to trail by six points at the break.

Again their play improved in the second-half of a match where Pat Burke and Paul Mannion were in outstanding form in attack while Mark Vaughan chipped in notably when sprung from the bench in the second-half.

Kilmacud Crokes Paul Mannion with Ballymun Kickhams James Burke. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

They had the margin down to a single point in injury-time when substitute Declan Kelleher fired over a point but could not force a levelling score. In a match where they were always behind on the scoreboard, Kilmacud Crokes found themselves unable to launch a rousing revival on this occasion as they were left to rue that lethargic opening.

4. Monday night football
The concept of staging a county final on a Monday night is an alien concept in the GAA. This game was shifted mfrom the traditional Sunday afternoon slot and the decision notably drew the ire of Kilmacud Crokes manager Hugh Kenny who branded the decision ‘a disgrace’.

The scheduling did seem counter-productive to hopes of drawing a bumper crowd with the late throw-in time a potential obstacle to juvenile supporters attending. But those that were present did witness a fine match with some brilliant open football from the outset as Ballymun Kickhams took the game to their fancied opponents.

There was excitement in the finale as Kilmacud Crokes launched a revival and the end result ensured a memorable post-match occasion as Ballymun’s victory provided novelty and romance after their barren spell since 1985.

5. A weekend where the Leinster club race was blown wide open
Kilmacud Crokes defeat last night means that the South Dublin club, who have claimed three of the last seven provincial titles, will not be able to utilise that experience in Leinster this season. It continued a trend over the Bank Holiday weekend of big guns falling by the wayside in the eastern province.

Reigning Leinster club champions Garrycastle will not represent Westmeath this year after they lost out in their county final replay against Mullingar Shamrocks on Sunday. Offaly’s Rhode, beaten in two of the last four finals, were bettered by Louth’s St Patrick’s in a surprise result in Sunday’s Leinster club opener. It means the Leinster landscape is now populated by new teams.

Indeed of the eight clubs still in contention for the title, Portlaoise are the only one who have previously claimed silverware with seven victories to their credit, two of those in the last eight years. Ballymun Kickhams and Kildare’s Sarsfields are the only other sides who have contested a Leinster final

Ballymun Kickhams triumph in Dublin final