The Dublin senior football championship may be among the highest-quality competitions in the GAA, and its being given the same treatment as the inter-county provincial championships surely cannot be far away.
Last night, we were given the remarkable exploits of Diarmuid Connolly for Vincent's against Ballymun: Conolly kicked three outrageous points from play to send Vincent's into the final.
In that final, they will face Castleknock, who er, knocked out Jude's in the second semi-final on a scoreline of 0-11 to 1-4.
Castleknock were only founded in 1998, so to be in the senior county final in 18 years is fairly spectacular going. Ciaran Kilkenny summed it up:
From Division 10 in 1998 to Senior Championship final 2016! So Proud of group& everyone who contributed throughout the years @CastleknockGAA
— Ciarán Kilkenny (@CKKilkenny93) October 27, 2016
Kilkenny played in midfield and essentially ran the game, and won three frees which were converted by the beautifully-named Des Carlos.
Jude's were overwhelming favourites - they can count Kerry destroyer Kevin McManamon among their ranks - but Castleknock frustrated them by retaining and recycling possession throughout the game. Kilkenny was the man for this occasion:
Ciaran Kilkenny handpassing across the pitch even more at club level than for Dublin.
— Kevin Coghlan (@kevin_coghlan) October 27, 2016
Castleknock Stunned St Jude's tonight.. had a game plan and executed it brilliantly! Frustrated the hell out of Jude's.. Some achievement
— Anthony Masterson (@antomasterson1) October 27, 2016
The amazing progress of Castleknock cut ice afterwards:
Saluting Castleknock's remarkable progress, Div. 7 Junior A to Dublin SFC Final (2016). Many memorable milestones en route! @CastleknockGAA
— John V Hillery (@JohnVHillery) October 27, 2016
Some achievement from Castleknock Junior in 2012 into the Dublin Senior Football Final in 2016 👏
— Adam Haughney (@MunchMcLegend) October 27, 2016
Serious rise from Castleknock. Junior in 2012. Dublin SFC finalists in 2016 after their win over St Jude's tonight.
— Donnchadh Boyle (@depboyle) October 27, 2016
Unbelievable progress being made by castleknock club https://t.co/otC68VHnyD
— Paddy Bradley (@PaddyB14) October 27, 2016
Remarkable. Ciaran Kilkenny took time out afterwards to sign an autograph for a man who looks suspiciously like Vladimir Putin:
Castleknock will be underdogs against Vincent's in the final, but we doubt they'll be arsed about that.
