Dublin safely through to another All-Ireland semi-final with Leinster victory

By Daire Walsh

 

Templeogue Synge Street’s Niall Scully kicked two points at Croke Park this afternoon as Dublin claimed their 11th consecutive Leinster Senior Football Championship title with a 0-20 to 1-9 success over Kildare.

 

0-9 to 0-5 ahead at the break, the Sky Blues pushed on after the resumption to claim another piece of silverware under the stewardship of Dessie Farrell. Provincial and All-Ireland champions in 2020, the Metropolitans will now face Connacht winners in the last-four of the Sam Maguire Cup.

 

Aside from Scully, there was local interest in the shape of a plethora of Dublin substitutes. The Basquel brothers Colm and Ryan (both Ballyboden St Enda’s), Tom Lahiff (St Jude’s) and Emmett O Conghaile (Lucan Sarsfields) all saw action during the second half of the contest in GAA HQ.

 

Ryan Basquel chipped in with a fine point and his sibling had a goal ruled out for over carrying as they both looked to force their way into the reckoning for a starting spot against Mayo.

 

Dublin were hoping to improve on a patchy performance delivered in their encounter with Meath in the previous round of the Leinster SFC, but encountered considerable resistance from the Lilywhites. Despite Dean Rock (two), Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello and James McCarthy finding the target, the holders were ahead by a single point (0-5 to 0-4) at the first water break.

 

Nevertheless, Rock (two), Costello and Con O’Callaghan ensured Dublin remained on top at the break and a brace of Scully efforts on the resumption helped to keep them firmly in the ascendancy.

 

Following a well-taken mark from the TSS star on 48 minutes, Dublin found themselves six points clear (0-13 to 0-7) and stretched the gap to eight inside the final-quarter. Daniel Flynn’s superb 62nd minute goal did give them a minor scare, but with Costello (two) and Ryan Basquel split the uprights late on, the pre-game favourites prevailed in convincing fashion.