Kilmacud Crokes are Dublin football champions after a convincing 2-12 to 0-13 victory over St Judes at a bitterly cold Parnell Park. The sole shining light for the gathered crowd was the delight at watching Dublin footballer Paul Mannion in full flight.
The 25-year-old gave an exhibition in finishing, with his left foot routinely coming up trumps for the Stillorgan based club. He finished with 1-6.
Paul Mannion getting @KCrokesGAAClub off to a good start in the Dublin SFC final! pic.twitter.com/JVPLP5jPvS
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 29, 2018
There's no catching Paul Mannion! #speed pic.twitter.com/z6H0pQnJxV
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 29, 2018
In truth, much of the final was a cagey and at times poor affair. The half-time scored was 0-7 to 0-3 with St. Judes struggling to gain any meaningful possession. It took a remarkable 26 minutes for their first point from play, with Seamus Ryan driving forward to land it.
To their credit, Judes stormed out at half-time and despite an early Pat Burke goal came within three. Kevin McManamon began to find his range while Tom Devlin made an instant impact off the bench as he curled over a left-footed effort.
However, it was Mannion once again who emerged to propel Crokes to glory as he finished through Liam Mailey's legs.
Paul Mannion with Kilmacud's second goal! @KCrokesGAAClub pic.twitter.com/EfMTsEiUIc
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 29, 2018
I can’t recall a football game this year were a player in possession has fisted the ball to a teammate in a worse position more often than this Dublin club final. Paul Mannion alone keeping it interesting.
— Aaron Kernan (@AaronKernan) October 29, 2018
Pleasure to watch Paul mannion on top of his game. A display of point kicking #GAABEO
— Mike Lenihan (@lenihanmike85) October 29, 2018
Paul mannion is the complete forward. Giving an exhibition in dub final
— seamus murray (@seamusmur) October 29, 2018
Kilmacud Crokes are Dublin Senior Football Champions 2018! ??
Cian O'Sullivan & Craig Dias lift the cup! @KCrokesGAAClub pic.twitter.com/egcMLPYMXe
— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 29, 2018
The result was a particularly sweet one for the club, coming just a day after their hurlers were defeated at the same ground in the Dublin hurling final.
This was Mannion's first county medal as Kilmacud last won the Dublin title in 2010. They went on to win a Leinster before bowing out in the All-Ireland semi-final by just two points against eventual All-Ireland winners Crossmaglen Rangers.
