Kilmacud Crokes celebrated their 25th hosting of the Beamish and Crawford-sponsored All-Ireland football sevens at Glenalbyn on Saturday by winning the title for the fourth time. An exciting final, in which Castleblayney Faughs put up a gallant effort before going down by a point, provided all that is best in the sevens game. Narrowly missed chances at both ends played as much a part in fashioning the result as the number of brilliantly taken scores.

Con Cleary was a proud Kilmacud captain relieved to lift the cup and take the title by the narrowest of margins following the disappointment of last year when the locals went down to Castlewellan by a pount. The winners had to survive a penalty shoot-out with Omagh St Enda's in the semi-finals.

Castleblayney were quick into their stride in the decider and took a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Crokes took time to settle and Conor Deegan was unlucky to see a cracking shot come back off the bar. Moments later John O'Callaghan shot a great goal to level the scores and set the stage for an absorbing battle.

Ray Cosgrave began to play an inspiring role for Crokes and got huge support from Robbie Leahy, Maurice Leahy, John O'Callaghan, Johnny McGee and Peter Ward.

Kilmacud, despite the timely solos upfield by Castleblayney goalkeeper Dermot Duffy and the accuracy of Padraig McDonald, led by 2-7 to 1-9 at half-time.

Aidan Tavey gave Kilmacud followers a fright when his shot was just wide of the post in the closing minute. But earlier Crokes had worse luck in front of goal when Pat Burke hit a post and Deegan was just off target with a great shot. In the semi-final against Omagh, Mick Pender, the former Dublin goalkeeper, moved up to score a goal from play and he also netted in the penalty shoot-out.

Omagh St Enda's knocked out Dublin champions Erin's Isle in the third round while Dublin runners-up St Sylvester's went out to Castleblayney in the fourth round.