Walsh fires 0-4 as Crokes put Dublin SFC titles back-to-back

October 16, 2022

Kilmacud Crokes' Shane Walsh. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Kilmacud Crokes recorded back-to-back Dublin senior football championship titles as they defeated Na Fianna by the narrowest of margins at Parnell Park today.

Crokes were without injured Dublin All-Ireland winner Paul Mannion, but Galway star Shane Walsh showed his class to fire over four brilliant points, two in each half, to help the holders over the line - 0-11 to 0-10.

Na Fianna, bidding for their first SFC title since 2001, took the game to Robbie Brennan's side from the get-go, scores from Paddy Quinn and Aaron Byrne had the Glasnevin side 0-0 to 0-2 ahead during the early stages.

Dara Mullin, Rory O’Carroll, Walsh, Andy McGowan and Craig Dias answered back for Crokes, who were 0-6 to 0-4 to the good on 20 minutes. 

But a trio of points by Walsh's former Galway teammate Michael Day, David Lacey and Byrne edged Na Fianna back to the front at half-time, 0-6 to 0-7.

Eoin Murchan got forward after the break to double the challenger's advantage, but they were dealt a blow on 46 minutes when midfielder Quinn was black carded.

Crokes responded with a brace of scores from the boot of Walsh to take a 0-11 to 0-9 lead with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Brian O’Leary launched over a point for Na Fianna deep into additional time to narrow the gap to one, although the clock was against them.


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