1. The best of the Dubs
DIARMUID CONNOLLY WAS the star of the show, finishing with four points to his name. His scores were majestic, each one stroked over with ease and style.
He was the sole Dublin starter on the St Vincent’s side, while Ballymun had four.
Dean Rock was Ballymun’s top scorer with eight points, including two from play. At times Ballymun were guilty of relying on Rock’s placed balls, but when you’ve a free-taker as accurate as him, it’s hard not to.
Elswhere James McCarthy had a particularly good first half, making a couple of really incisive runs through the heart of the St Vincent’s defence. He was inches away from finding the net from one such run in second minute.
Philly McMahon had a good game although he did kick away a couple of passes into the forwards. John Small spent the night in the unenviable role of Connolly’s man-marker, and didn’t do himself a diservice, limiting the All-Star forward to shots from distance.
2. Star quality on display
It was a star-studded affair, with county players past and present interspersed throughout both sides. Outside of Dublin’s household names, there was a lot more quality on show.
Ger Brennan and Tomas Quinn of St Vincent’s were All-Ireland winners with Dublin in the past, while Davy Byrne, Jason Whelan (both Ballymun) and Hugh Gill (St Vincent’s) all logged league minutes in previous seasons under Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin.
Ballymun’s Paddy Small, a younger brother of county star John, will likely push for game-time in Gavin’s squad next spring.
Brendan Egan and Enda Varley (both St Vincent’s) represented Sligo and Mayo respectively in the past, while a host of players on both teams have featured for Dublin U21s and minors.
Despite the hurried nature this championship is played in, it remains the top club football competition in the country.
3. Title talk
The Marino club are the first side since Na Fianna to reach four straight Dublin finals.
They’ll play either St Jude’s or Castleknock in the decider, and anything other than a victory for the Vins would be a major upset.
The kingpins of Dublin football are one game away from wrapping up their 28th senior crown. To put that into perspective O’Tooles, their nearest challengers, have been stuck on 11 since 1946.
Kilmacud Crokes (7 titles), Parnells (6), Ballymun (3), Ballyboden St. Enda’s (3) and St Brigid’s (2) are a long way off that mark.
Having already won All-Ireland titles in 2008 and 2014, St Vincent’s are now 5/2 favourites with the bookies to pick up a fourth All-Ireland club trophy.
Another victory on St. Patrick’s day would place them in the outright third position on the All-Ireland roll of honour behind Crossmaglen Rangers and Nemo Rangers.
