CUALA AND Kilmacud Crokes will contest the county decider as they overcame Crumlin and Lucan Sarsfields respectively in their semi-final double-bill at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.
Central to Cuala’s progression to the final was the contribution of Barry Connolly, with the wing-forward accounting for 0-15 of his side’s tally, including six telling points from play.
With Connolly having registered the Dalkey men’s first seven points of the game, Dublin senior David Treacy raced through onto Seán Barron’s pass to strike the game’s opening goal in the 18th minute.
Crumlin remained in the hunt through points from Wesley O’Brien and Shane Ryan and their challenge received added momentum in the 39th minute as Adam McGreal netted from David Donnelly’s pass.
However, Cuala replied almost immediately with Barry Fitzgerald’s clever flick releasing Cian Waldron for an emphatic finish and although McGreal added a second goal nine minutes from time, Connolly and Treacy landed late scores to ensure a 2-19 to 2-12 win.
The second semi-final was delicately poised before two Jude Sweeney goals in the second-half allowed Crokes to pull clear against 13-man Lucan on a 2-11 to 0-7 final scoreline.
Lucan enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening half but their errant shooting ensured points from Mick May, Tommy Somers and Chris Crummey was a poor dividend on their marginal dominance.
