DUBLIN SFC SEMI FINAL/St Jude's 0-15 St Mary's, Saggart 1-7:ST JUDE'S must now be taken seriously. They have proven the Dublin selectors wrong anyway. They already poured ice cold water over St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh's supposed progress to a Dublin title in the quarter-finals.
That meant the Brogan brothers, Jason Sherlock, Ross McConnell and Meath veteran Anthony Moyles were dumped out of the championship.
Displaying an impressive work-rate, playing in quick spurts with the individual only holding possession when steadying himself for a score, the McManamon and Donnelly brothers, assisted by Ross O’Brien, took up where they left off against Plunketts.
By half-time their all-action approach had racked up a seven- point cushion.
After that, it was a case of guiding the ship home. They stumbled, with an ugly succession of wides betraying a lack of composure, which is concerning ahead of the next task, but their dominance of possession ensured an, albeit messy, victory in the end.
They could have done without David McConn’s goal on 46 minutes, quickly followed by a Blaine Kelly point that made it a four- point game. Kelly’s consistency has put him in a similar bracket to many St Jude’s players ahead of next season. It is a great time to hit form as Dublin manager Pat Gilroy quietly takes notes.
It became a three-point game with six minutes remaining after midfielder Shay Walsh landed a point from 50 metres out.
St Jude’s responded with their fifth, sixth and seventh wides in succession, bringing their evening total to 15.
With the second minute of injury-time upon us St Mary’s had a chance to snatch a replay but Kelly dropped a weak 45 into Conor McBride’s welcoming hands. The siege was lifted when Kevin McManamon and Seamus Ryan added points deep into injury time. The more accurate impression of St Jude’s form this season was evident in the opening half hour, with Joey Donnelly starting brightest by registering two points and a decent lay off for a Brendan McManamon score.
The real hot streak came from 11 to 15 minutes as five unanswered points from Donnelly, Andy Glover, Declan Donnelly, Ross O’Brien and Brian Monaghan all but sorted the result.
Kevin McManamon, the only current Dublin panellist on their team, eventually ensured St Jude’s forwards all pointed on the night.
There is a solid spine to this team, from Paul Copeland in goal, Seán Breheny at full back out to Colm Murphy and Glover in the midfield. Also, in under-21 wing back Chris Guckian they have the prototype of an attacking defender.
Above all they have been trained in a manner that ensures high octane football. Now all they have to do is maintain such standards for 60 minutes. Otherwise their first ever county final will be a forgettable occasion. However, they are certainly genuine contenders.
ST JUDE’S: P Copeland; C McBride, S Breheny, P Cunningham; C Guckian, N O’Shea, C Voyles; C Murphy, A Glover (0-1); R O’Brien (0-4), B McManamon (0-1), B Monaghan (0-1); J Donnelly (0-3), D Donnelly (0-2, 0-1 free), K McManamon (0-2, one free). Subs: B Lehane for A Glover (30 mins), R Joyce for B Monaghan (43 mins), S Gallagher for B McManamon (46 mins), S Ryan (0-1) for C Voyles (53 mins), S Guckian for S Breheny (60 mins).
ST MARY’S, SAGGART: R Redmond; M Coyne, P Courtney, B Foley; A Marshall, D Brennan, S Kelly; D Carrigan (0-1), S Walsh (0-1); L Magee, C Broderick, K Kelly; B Kelly (0-5, four frees), D Marshall, D Byrne. Subs: D Corcoran for B Foley (30 mins), C Howard for L Magee (both 30 mins), D McConn (1-0) for A Marshall (41 mins), E Murray for C Broderick (43 mins).
Referee: S Farrell (St Pat’s, Donabate).
