Kilmacud Crokes have booked their place in a second consecutive All-Ireland club football final, defeating Kerry's Kerins O'Rahilly's at Croke Park this afternoon.
It was a hard fought contest, although the Dublin champions did seem to have the upper hand throughout. They were the more efficient team in front of goal, producing some lovely scores at times.
16 nóim@KCrokesGAAClub 0-04@korgaa 0-03
Imirt den scoth ó Craig Dias agus cúilín iontach faighte ag Hugh Kenny!
Kilmacud Crokes retake the lead! 👌
#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/AH5UVH1CFL— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 8, 2023
A Kilmacud goal just after the interval would prove to be a key moment in the contest.
Hugh Kenny was the man that got it, putting some breathing distance between the sides.
35 nóim@KCrokesGAAClub 1-09@korgaa 0-07
Cúl deas faighte ag Hugh Kenny le haghaidh na Crócaigh!
Kilmacud Crokes start their second half with a goal! 👌
#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/78wSTzBVxC— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 8, 2023
That would ultimately prove to be the difference between the teams, with Kilmacud emerging victorious on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-14.
Kilmacud Crokes manager not impressed with referee at Croke Park
Kilmacud Crokes will now be preparing for an All-Ireland final two weeks time, having fallen short on that stage against Kilcoo in 2022.
Their manager Robbie Brennan admitted that his side will be hoping to improve in a number of aspects of their play ahead of the decider, although he will also be hoping for more favours from the officials on that occasion.
His team conceded 30 fouls this afternoon, compared to only eight for their opponents. Speaking on TG4, Brennan admitted that he was not impressed with the performance of referee Niall Cullen. He also gave an update on the health of star forward Paul Mannion, who he is hoping to have available for the final after a long spell on the sidelines.
The first thing is that we're delighted to get back into a final. Coming out of here in February we were very low, so it's pretty special to get back there.
I would be very disappointed with aspects of the performance and we have a lot to work on, but credit to Kerin O'Rahilly's because they're a good side and pushed us all the way...
I'll do the old Premier League thing and I won't say anything (about the referee) because I'll get in trouble.
I'll let people judge that one for themselves (the fouls stat). It's a crazy stat.
It was madness some of the decisions. Anyway, that's for another day. He will have to look at that himself...
We hope so (to have Mannion back). He has done incredible work to even be back out on the pitch there today, I'm not sure he's even human with some of the stuff he's done.
He is ahead of schedule, so we will check in with the Dublin lads as well. If he's read to go then brilliant, but if he's not, he's not. We have said that all year.
Kilmacud Crokes will be hoping to win their third All-Ireland title in a couple of weeks, with their last one coming in 2009. Since then, they lost the final on two occasions.
They will be hoping to end that run in 2023.
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