Ballymun Kickhams 1-12
Kilmacud Crokes 0-14

Ballymun Kickhams celebrated their first Dublin county senior football title since 1985 when they prevailed by a single point against Kilmacud Crokes in a pulsating decider in Parnell Park tonight.

Ballymun Kickhams, who were appearing in their first final in 23 years, were crowned champions after an exciting finale where they had to withstand a strong second-half fightback by Kilmacud Crokes.

The winners, managed by 1995 Dublin All-Ireland winner Paul Curran, had enjoyed a six-point cushion at the break.

But Kilmacud Crokes, who had performed several heroic comebacks on route to the final, nearly managed to produce another one as they chipped away at the Ballymun Kickhams advantage.

They had the gap down to a single point when substitute Declan Kelleher shot over the bar in injury-time but time ran out on them as they sought to grab a leveling score as Ballymun Kickhams held on.

Full-forward Dean Rock, the son of former inter-county great Barney, was the scoring hero for Ballymun Kickhams as he chalked up seven points while corner-forward Shane Forde struck the crucial first-half goal and Jason Whelan also impressed in attack.

Ballymun Kickhams got off to a wonderful start as they raced into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead by the 8th minute as they showed no sign of nerves at performing on such a big occasion. They signalled their attacking threat from an early stage when Rock and Ted Furman both raised white flags from chances that could have materialised into goals.

Paul Mannion, the primary attacking weapon in the Kilmacud side in the opening-half, pulled a point back in reply but then Ballymun Kickhams struck for a decisive goal in the 8th minute.

Kevin Leahy hammered in a long ball and Forde rose above goalkeeper David Nestor to fist the ball to the net. That strike set the tone for the first-half as Ballymun Kickhams bombarded the Kilmacud Crokes inside rearguard with long deliveries from deep.

They profited from that tactic due to the aerial strength of Rock while alongside him Furman was in superb form as his pace caused problems. Despite the presence of established inter-county stars like Rory O’Carroll, Cian O’Sullivan and Kevin Nolan in their defence, Kilmacud Crokes found themselves under severe pressure and they trailed by 1-4 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter.

Gradually Kilmacud Crokes grew into the game and they were grateful to the expert marksmanship of 19 year-old Paul Mannion, an All-Ireland U21 winner with Dublin earlier this year, at full-forward and the industry of Craig Dias on the wing to ensure they stayed in the hunt.

Dias and Nolan popped over points in quick succession to cut the deficit to 1-6 to 0-5 by the 24th minute yet Ballymun Kickhams finished the half the stronger. Their talisman up front Rock provided the inspiration as he curled over a free and then registered another point from play to see them ahead by 1-8 to 0-5 at the interval.

However Kilmacud Crokes then fought back splendidly in the second-half with Pat Burke emerging as their leader with his superb scoretaking up front. He shot over four points in succession between the 31st and 43rd minutes to leave his side only two points adrift, 1-8 to 0-9.

Ballymun Kickhams managed to relieve the pressure through Rock when he slotted over from play in the 44th minute and they were still ahead by three points entering the closing ten minutes. Kilmacud Crokes sprung Mark Vaughan from the bench to improve their attacking options and he made an immediate impact by raising a white flag.

But a brace of points by Whelan and one from Rock had Ballymun Kickhams closing in on the honours as they enjoyed a 1-12 to 0-11 lead by the 57th minute. They were forced to endure some anxious moments in the closing exchanges though as Vaughan scored a point apiece from play and a free, and substitute Declan Kelleher added another to leave just the minimum between the teams.

Yet Ballymun Kickhams held on for their first title in 27 years and as the final whistle sounded, there were wild scenes of celebration amongst the players and supporters of the Northside club.

Ballymun Kickhams’ Ted Furman and James McCarthy celebrate at the final whistle. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

They now advance to represent Dublin in the Leinster club championship at the quarter-final stage against Westmeath outfit Mullingar Shamrocks, who toppled reigning provincial champions Garrycastle in their county final yesterday, on November 11th.

Scorers for Ballymun Kickhams: Dean Rock 0-7 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Shane Forde 1-0, Jason Whelan 0-3 (0-1f), Kevin Leahy, Ted Furman 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: Pat Burke 0-4, Paul Mannion 0-4 (0-1f), Mark Vaughan 0-3 (0-2f), Craig Dias, Kevin Nolan, Declan Kelleher 0-1 each.

BALLYMUN KICKHAMS: 1. Sean Currie; 2. Enda Dolan, 3. Philly McMahon, 4. Eoin Doland; 5. Alan Hubbard, 6. Karl Connolly, 7. James Burke; 8. James McCarthy, 9. Davy Byrne; 10. Elliott Reilly, 11. Kevin Leahy, 12. Jason Whelan; 13. Ted Furman, 14. Dean Rock, 15. Shane Forde. Subs: 18. Derek Byrne for Forde (half-time), 24. John Small for Enda Dolan (45), 23. Andy O’Brien for Leahy (54).

KILMACUD CROKES: 1. David Nestor; 4. Ross O’Carroll, 3. Rory O’Carroll, 5. Cian O’Sullivan; 17. Mark Coughlan, 6. Brian McGrath, 7. Kevin Nolan; 8. Darren Magee, 9. Pat Duggan; 10. Craig Dias, 11. Liam Óg Ó hEineachain, 12. Adrian Morrissey; 23. Stephen Williams, 14. Paul Mannion, 15. Pat Burke. Subs: 28. Declan Kelleher for Morrissey (half-time), 22. Barry O’Rorke for Ó hEineachain (47), 13. Mark Vaughan for Williams (47), 20. Eoin Culligan for McGrath (56).

Referee: Sean Gahan (Erins Isle)