Football: Ballymun Kickhams conquer Dublin tonight after 27 years

Rebelheart

Congratulations to Ballymun Kickhams who tonight in Parnell Park defeated the mighty Kilmacud Crokes to win their first Dublin Senior Football Championship since 1985. Barney Rock's son, Dean Rock, seems to have been outstanding.



From this morning's Irish Times:


Rock leads Ballymun to glory
GAVIN CUMMISKEY At Parnell Park

Ballymun Kickhams 1-12 Kilmacud Crokes 0-14: BACK IN 1985 was the last time the people of Ballymun could say they were Dublin champions. It was a time when their favourite son was a man named Rock. Last night, Dean Rock, son of former Dublin star Barney, posted 0-7.

But that’s only half the story.

For Ballymun to have any chance against a Kilmacud team littered with players in possession of every possible club medal Gaelic football has to offer, they needed all their marquee players to outshine these more feted opponents.

This was certainly the case in the opening 30 minutes and down the home straight, when Crokes were breathing down their necks.

It started at the back. Marshalled by Dublin regular Philly McMahon, the Kickhams defence harassed every purple jersey that came near their posts.

The athleticism and quick delivery of Craig Dias was a constant menace, as was the composure and sheer quality of 19-year-old Paul Mannion. But that pair aside, it was the intense work of Ballymun men, like Alan Hubbard, which caught the eye.

Once they hustled a turnover, more often than not, it was Jason Whelan streaking onto the ball, glancing up to see what patch of grass Rock or Ted Furman had dragged Rory O’Carroll or Cian O’Sullivan out to.

Crokes looked very shaky in the opening exchanges, with Rock and Furman both going agonisingly close to raising green flags.

They settled for a point apiece with Mannion responding down the other end with a brilliant individual score.

But Kilmacud were floored by the ferocity of the next Ballymun assault. As Kevin Leahy’s long-range shot dropped short, Shane Forde outjumped Crokes goalkeeper David Nestor and punched the ball into the net.

Dias continued to find Mannion but it was Ballymun who accelerated away with further scores from Rock, a Herculean 45, and Leahy after fine running by James McCarthy, before Rock again profited from the constant nuisance to Crokes that Whelan had become.

The scoreline read 1-6 to 0-3 until Ballymun dozed off, offering up sloppy scores for Dias and Kevin Nolan.

But Rock was a man possessed, landing two more before the turn, both born from turnovers.

The Crokes think-tank made a dramatic change at the interval as captain Adrian Morrissey made way for Declan Kelleher. The forward line immediately reacted with Pat Burke landing three points to reduce arrears to a goal.

Crokes started to control possession with Cian O’Sullivan scooping up every scrap as even Rock missed the target. Then Furman registered a third wide in as many minutes. Another Burke intervention, his fourth point from four shots, made it a two-point game entering the last quarter.

But Rock instantly responded, rediscovering his mojo with a fine strike. Hugh Kenny made another big call, introducing former Dublin underage stars Mark Vaughan and Barry O’Rorke to the attack. Vaughan had an immediate impact, drawing a free off John Small, who was yellow carded, and belting it over the bar before getting himself booked for something off the ball.

But the closest the 2010 champions could get was two points. Whelan saw to that. The 23-year-old had a night to remember with two late scores followed by a free from Barney’s son with four minutes left. It wasn’t over. Vaughan landed two more, one an astonishingly good shot from wide on the left. Predictably, Crokes flooded forward with Kelleher reducing it to the minimum.

But this night belonged to Kickhams. The song at the end was simple, intimidating and loud, Go on the Ballymun.

---

What a truly inspiring article Malachy Clerkin wrote in last Saturday's Irish Times about the fall and rise again of Ballymun Kickhams. He wrote about how the club almost collapsed and had a single underage team in the club in the mid-1990s because one of the club's hardest working volunteers, Frank McCaffrey, died and the club lost momentum. Then along came Paddie Christie and started coaching an Under 9 team, and now 12 years later those kids are on the senior team and the rest is history. Clerkin writes about how the leadership of the club had €16,000 in the bank but bluffed their way to building a new ground - and what a ground it is :

Ballymun emerge tall from the rubble

It's great to hear one of these stories. Anybody have any idea if they could make it to win the All-Ireland on St Patrick's Day?

Syferus

Surely this should be in the county championships thread?

To step away from the romantic note for a moment, the eventual Leinster champions look likely to lose to Dr. Crokes in the AI semi on current form.

Max Power

Syferus wrote: »

Surely this should be in the county championships thread?

To step away from the romantic note for a moment, the eventual Leinster champions look likely to lose to Dr. Crokes in the AI semi on current form.

Sure the The Dubs have to have their own thread of course, can't be lumping them in with the rest of the cannon fodder. :rolleyes:

Syferus

FionnMcCool87 wrote: »

Sure the The Dubs have to have their own thread of course, can't be lumping them in with the rest of the cannon fodder. :rolleyes:

Sheesh, calm down.

DARK-KNIGHT

Syferus wrote: »

Surely this should be in the county championships thread?

To step away from the romantic note for a moment, the eventual Leinster champions look likely to lose to Dr. Crokes in the AI semi on current form.

Look likely to lose to crokes??

Where have you been hiding ffs plenty of teams will fancy playing crokes including kick hams, sarsfields, navan omahonys..

To suggest those teams have little or no hope is just silly no offense meant to any other Leinster hopefuls, I just don't have time to go looking for county winners

robbiezero

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Look likely to lose to crokes??

Where have you been hiding ffs plenty of teams will fancy playing crokes including kick hams, sarsfields, navan omahonys..

To suggest those teams have little or no hope is just silly no offense meant to any other Leinster hopefuls, I just don't have time to go looking for county winners

Agreed. Can't see any reason whatsoever why whoever comes out of Leinster would have any fear of the Munster champions be it Crokes or whoever.
Crokes are a limited enough outfit. Crossmaglen are the side to be feared by everyone.

Always_Running

It's great to hear one of these stories. Anybody have any idea if they could make it to win the All-Ireland on St Patrick's Day?

First step is done second step is to win Leinster which would be a huge achievement for Ballymun.

Syferus wrote: »

Surely this should be in the county championships thread?

To step away from the romantic note for a moment, the eventual Leinster champions look likely to lose to Dr. Crokes in the AI semi on current form.

Current form? Dr. Crokes has the easier route to the semi final that could be help or hindrance.

Rebelheart

Ballymun Kickhams continue their road to Croker with a great victory over Mullingar in Mullingar.


Leinster SFC Quarter-Final: Ballymun Kickhams 2-13 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-7


Ballymun produce a towering display

Anybody know who they will play in the Leinster SFC Semi-Final?

DARK-KNIGHT

Rebelheart wrote: »

Ballymun Kickhams continue their road to Croker with a great victory over Mullingar in Mullingar.


Leinster SFC Quarter-Final: Ballymun Kickhams 2-13 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-7


Ballymun produce a towering display

Anybody know who they will play in the Leinster SFC Semi-Final?

kildare champions Sarsfields

DARK-KNIGHT

Rebelheart wrote: »

Ballymun Kickhams continue their road to Croker with a great victory over Mullingar in Mullingar.


Leinster SFC Quarter-Final: Ballymun Kickhams 2-13 Mullingar Shamrocks 0-7


Ballymun produce a towering display

Anybody know who they will play in the Leinster SFC Semi-Final?

kildare champions Sarsfields should be a close affair sash are playing great football

Drummerboy2

Kickhams playing a League semi final tomorrow morning. Wonder what type of team they will field. They have plenty of back up on the bench, though Sylvesters are a very good outfit and they would probably need too field a full strength team to defeat them. I'd imageine they are focussing on the Sarsfield tie. Won't be easy down there but not beyond them to win.

resserbigp

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

Kickhams playing a League semi final tomorrow morning. Wonder what type of team they will field. They have plenty of back up on the bench, though Sylvesters are a very good outfit and they would probably need too field a full strength team to defeat them. I'd imageine they are focussing on the Sarsfield tie. Won't be easy down there but not beyond them to win.

I saw Sarfields play Celbridge in the Kildare league final in August, different ball game altogether now, but I wasn`t impressed with Sarfields at all even though they won.

68Murph68

robbiezero wrote: »

Agreed. Can't see any reason whatsoever why whoever comes out of Leinster would have any fear of the Munster champions be it Crokes or whoever.
Crokes are a limited enough outfit. Crossmaglen are the side to be feared by everyone.

Thats the same Crokes who have won the Kerry county championship three years in a row and havent been beaten by a club side in the Kerry county championship in eight years?

The same Crokes that lost to Crossmaglen last year by 3 points in the semi-final?

The same Crokes that had five players in the Kerry squad last season?

The same Crokes that have one Colm "Cooch" Cooper who quite a number of people would think is the current greatest footballer playing the game?

"limited enough outfit"

Thats a very very strange use of the phrase.

DARK-KNIGHT

68Murph68 wrote: »

Thats the same Crokes who have won the Kerry county championship three years in a row and havent been beaten by a club side in the Kerry county championship in eight years?

The same Crokes that lost to Crossmaglen last year by 3 points in the semi-final?

The same Crokes that had five players in the Kerry squad last season?

The same Crokes that have one Colm "Cooch" Cooper who quite a number of people would think is the current greatest footballer playing the game?

"limited enough outfit"

Thats a very very strange use of the phrase.

ah god it's so funny seeing people posting on an Internet forum calling one of the best clubs in gaa limited lol especially considering those myself included here wouldn't lace the boots of any of that great Kerry clubs players boots!!! My point is that any team that comes out of Leinster championship won't fear playing them.. Which is the truth!!!

Great post btw!!

Alphonso

It's a pity, as a Ballymun Ks fan, that they can't play any home games in the Leinster Champ, for the want of a full fence or something. Would have been great to see a big championship game on in the Mun, would promote the game in a big way for many locals who would be unaware.
Sarsfields have a strong reputation and as for them not seeming so impressive in Kildare BigP, the same was said of BKs in Dublin until recently. They were certainly underdogs to win.
As regards Dr. Crokes, I would from what I've heard and from their performances in the last few years, put them in the top 5 clubs in the country. I wouldn't put Ballymun, Sarsfields or Portlaoise in that category, yet, and I don't know enough about Emmet Og Killoe, though their win over Navan was very impressive by all accounts.

rambojon

hi guys ive seen crokes first hand away who beat my club kib in clare.. and was not overly impressed..Now you can say thats sour grapes because we were beaten ...but result was fair and square.. 1 pt win for crokes. My honest opinion is that they are there for the taking... had there been 5 more minutes in that game kib would certainly have taken it inmvhaho. 7 pts up and playin with a gale it should have been all over.. " killed off" However crokes went completely into their shelves and were fortunate in the end.
Midfield is their biggest weakness..Their calibre of players cannot be doubted or questioned..and have potential to put it together on any given day.. but as far as yet we havent seen anything great from them and the jury is def still out on them. I consider "cross" miles ahead of them at this current time.

Syferus

You're completely forgetting Brigids who are by now the clear #2 team in the country, above Crokes and obviously below Cross. A potential Brigids/Cross semi-final would tell us alot about both teams. Whoever comes out of that side of the draw is nearly sure to be favourites in the AI final.

Drummerboy2

Alphonso wrote: »

It's a pity, as a Ballymun Ks fan, that they can't play any home games in the Leinster Champ, for the want of a full fence or something. Would have been great to see a big championship game on in the Mun, would promote the game in a big way for many locals who would be unaware.
Sarsfields have a strong reputation and as for them not seeming so impressive in Kildare BigP, the same was said of BKs in Dublin until recently. They were certainly underdogs to win.
As regards Dr. Crokes, I would from what I've heard and from their performances in the last few years, put them in the top 5 clubs in the country. I wouldn't put Ballymun, Sarsfields or Portlaoise in that category, yet, and I don't know enough about Emmet Og Killoe, though their win over Navan was very impressive by all accounts.

I thought the appearance of BKs Intermediate team in the Celebrity Bainisteor series really exposed GAA to the locals. There was a crowd of 3,000 at the home semi-final against Nobber and about 8,000 at the final. Last Sunday there was a huge crowd down in Mulllingar supporting them so I think their achievements are being well received in the whole of the local community. There have been huge improvements in the juvenile sector of the club, with last years U14 winning the AI feile last year. Hopefully they can hold on to these kids.

BK are in bonus territory from here on in, but I have a feeling they haven\t finished their adventure yet. The introduction of Ken Robinson this season, has done wonders for their fitness, with players like Furman really making huge strides.

Alphonso

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

I thought the appearance of BKs Intermediate team in the Celebrity Bainisteor series really exposed GAA to the locals. There was a crowd of 3,000 at the home semi-final against Nobber and about 8,000 at the final. Last Sunday there was a huge crowd down in Mulllingar supporting them so I think their achievements are being well received in the whole of the local community. There have been huge improvements in the juvenile sector of the club, with last years U14 winning the AI feile last year. Hopefully they can hold on to these kids.

BK are in bonus territory from here on in, but I have a feeling they haven\t finished their adventure yet. The introduction of Ken Robinson this season, has done wonders for their fitness, with players like Furman really making huge strides.

Great to hear it. I didn't watch the Celebrity B series, but read about Ballymun Ks in it.

doubleyoubee

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

players like Furman really making huge strides.

He got that job in the outsize tailors then? *



* that one's for you Al, because I KNOW you love a terrible pun!

Alphonso

doubleyoubee wrote: »

He got that job in the outsize tailors then? *



* that one's for you Al, because I KNOW you love a terrible pun!

I welcome a swift punning from you anytime WB:P

Rebelheart

Alphonso wrote: »

It's a pity, as a Ballymun Ks fan, that they can't play any home games in the Leinster Champ, for the want of a full fence or something.

Anybody know any more on this? I find it hard to believe they can't play matches locally. Surely a nearby club could facilitate them if they've got this far?

Given the history/context of Ballymun, it would surely be as brilliant for that local community as victory has been for 'Cross, given the history/context of Crossmaglen.

---

Rebelheart

Leinster SFC Semi-Finals timetable, this Sunday 25 November 2012


Match: Sarsfields (Kildare) v Ballymun Kickhams (Dublin)
Venue: Newbridge
Time: 14.00

Match: Portlaoise (Laois) v Emmet Óg (Longford)
Venue: Portlaoise
Time: 14.00

---

The trip to Newbridge for Sars Wars (ahem!)
Ballymun bus to Newbridge: Bus leaving Ballymun. Book by 6pm on Thursday 22 November:


The bus is again attracting a lot of interest for this trip on Sunday. Please email bus@ballymunkickhams.com immediately to book your seats. The cut off point for this is 1800hrs on Thursday. Costs are 10 per adult, 5 per OAP/unemployed/student and children under 14 free. A max of 3 children per adult is permissible.

---

Drummerboy2

The journey continues for the men from Ballymun. I've heard Thurles is the likely venue against Kerry and Munster champions, Crokes, in February. Should be another decent game.

Syferus

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

The journey continues for the men from Ballymun. I've heard Thurles is the likely venue against Kerry and Munster champions, Crokes, in February. Should be another decent game.

Would have been great if they doubled up the two AISFs in Mullingar where the Brigids-Cross game is, it would have been a good mid-point for Crokes and Kickhams. Thrules seems very unfair on Kickhams (and waaaay too big to foster a proper atmosphere) but Munster are known to play hard-ball with venues.

ciarriaithuaidh

Syferus wrote: »

Would have been great if they doubled up the two AISFs in Mullingar where the Brigids-Cross game is, it would have been a good mid-point for Crokes and Kickhams. Thrules seems very unfair on Kickhams (and waaaay too big to foster a proper atmosphere) but Munster are known to play hard-ball with venues.

Killarney - Thurles: 165km
Ballymun - Thurles: 156km (on motorway for 95% of it)

Such an injustice..play it in Croker I say!

68Murph68

Syferus wrote: »

Would have been great if they doubled up the two AISFs in Mullingar where the Brigids-Cross game is, it would have been a good mid-point for Crokes and Kickhams. Thrules seems very unfair on Kickhams (and waaaay too big to foster a proper atmosphere) but Munster are known to play hard-ball with venues.

Killarney - Mullingar 255km
Ballymun - Mullingar 90km

:eek:

Would be nice all right for the supporters to have a double-header but come on.

ciarriaithuaidh

68Murph68 wrote: »

Killarney - Mullingar 255km
Ballymun - Mullingar 90km

:eek:

Would be nice all right for the supporters to have a double-header but come on.

Seems geography (even of the midlands surprisingly) isn't Syferus strong point Murph!

If anything I thought they'd play Ballymun v Crokes in Portlaoise considering they need every penny they can get.

68Murph68

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

Seems geography (even of the midlands surprisingly) isn't Syferus strong point Murph!

If anything I thought they'd play Ballymun v Crokes in Portlaoise considering they need every penny they can get.

Yeah I'd mentally just assumed it would be in Portlaoise given the amount of games it seems to get.

Syferus

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

Seems geography (even of the midlands surprisingly) isn't Syferus strong point Murph!

If anything I thought they'd play Ballymun v Crokes in Portlaoise considering they need every penny they can get.

If we're talking about places for a double bill the only options are Mullingar or Portlaoise because Cross would never agree even to Tullamore, indeed it's amazing Brigids got them to Mullingar for the second time in six years given how close to Kiltoom it is.

In that context Mullingar is a very valid option, nevermind the fact Munster teams tend to nearly always get home province ties in these situations so you can't claim you're being run up to Dublin on a regular basis. You'd also have to take into account alot of Dublin supporters are barely aware of the concept of away games and the farther you move a game from Dublin the faster the travelling support drops compared to other counties - I know we completely outnumbered Dublin, maybe by as much as 10:1, in this year's u21 AI final in Tullamore. If I was looking to get the biggest attendance possible, which really should be part of the equation, I'd definitely be looking at venues other than Thurles.

You're never going to find a location for double bill of county-specific matches that makes everyone 100% happy so someone will always take a hit for the greater good.

68Murph68

Syferus wrote: »

Do you really want to get into how far from Dublin Thurles is?

If we're talking about places for a double bill the only options are Mullingar or Portlaoise because Cross would never agree even to Tullamore, indeed it's amazing Brigids got them to Mullingar for the second time in six years given how close to Kiltoom it is.

In that context Mullingar is a very valid option, nevermind the fact Munster teams tend to nearly always get home province ties in these situations so you can't claim you're being run up to Dublin on a regular basis.

You're never going to find a location for double bill of county-specific matches that makes everyone 100% happy so someone will always take a hit for the great good.

Can you explain your statement that Thurles is "very unfair" on Ballymun?

Remember

Killarney - Thurles: 165km
Ballymun - Thurles: 156km (on motorway for 95% of it)

Also

Killarney - Mullingar 255km
Ballymun - Mullingar 90km

Syferus

68Murph68 wrote: »

Can you explain your statement that Thurles is "very unfair" on Ballymun?

Remember

Killarney - Thurles: 165km
Ballymun - Thurles: 156km (on motorway for 95% of it)

Also

Killarney - Mullingar 255km
Ballymun - Mullingar 90km

Mullingar was only in the context of a double bill, not as a venue for it as a stand alone match.

ciarriaithuaidh

Syferus wrote: »

Mullingar was only in the context of a double bill, not as a venue for it as a stand alone match.

Really?

"Thrules seems very unfair on Kickhams (and waaaay too big to foster a proper atmosphere) but Munster are known to play hard-ball with venues."

See it would be easier if you just admitted you thought Thurles was closer to Killarney than it actually is, then that would be fine..instead you're jumping through hoops to try to get out of it.

Double headers are usually impractical due to pitch conditions given the time of year.

It doesn't matter to Crokes I'm sure anyway. They've played in Portlaoise before for example, so won't be too bothered.

cormac halpin

Can't believe Syferus is actually arguing this one :eek:

Drummerboy2

Don't think Ballymun will mind Thurles, sure its all an adventure to them!

cormac halpin

Drummerboy2 wrote: »

Don't think Ballymun will mind Thurles, sure its all an adventure to them!

Exactly, they can call in to Lar for a pint, everyone wins.

keane2097

cormac halpin wrote: »

Can't believe Syferus is actually arguing this one :eek:

You get used to it.

Rebelheart

keane2097 wrote: »

You get used to it.

hehe.

manofwisdom

Dr Crokes hammered the London champions today to make the semi final pairing official. Will the Ballymun adventure come to a end in Feb?

68Murph68

manofwisdom wrote: »

Dr Crokes hammered the London champions today to make the semi final pairing official. Will the Ballymun adventure come to a end in Feb?

One massive thing Ballymun have against them is that they have no experience of players managing themselves over Christmas period and January.

All of the other three clubs have experience of dealing with managing players over the Christmas period and in January. Knowing how to strike the right balance in terms of letting players enjoy Christmas/ managing training so that players dont go stale and especially having a large break from competitive games before the semi-finals.

In terms of arranging a friendlies to maintain sharpness its an awful time to be looking for any sort of competitive games.

Rebelheart

It's a great day for club football tomorrow. According to Connor Murphy over on livegaelic.com, Dr Crokes are favourites but he is going with Ballymun Kickhams.

All Ireland Club Championship – Dr. Crokes (Kerry) vs Ballymun Kickhams (Dublin)

All Ireland Club Championship Semi-final:
Date: Saturday, 16th February
Time: 4pm
Place: Semple Stadium, Thurles

What do you think Ballymun's chances are?

---

According to gaaboard.com, the match will be live on TG4, with the Cross v. Brigid's game starting before it at 2pm:

2-00pm St Brigids v Crossmaglen Rangers live

4-00pm Ballymun Kickhams v Dr Crokes live

5-30pm-ish Loughgiel Shamrocks v St Thomas deferred

keane2097

Think the Ballymun price is too big personally. Crokes are favourites and probably deserve to be but should be a good bit closer than it is.

Tom Joad

keane2097 wrote: »

Think the Ballymun price is too big personally. Crokes are favourites and probably deserve to be but should be a good bit closer than it is.

It was a good enough price to convince me to put a tenner on Ballymun

keane2097

Tom Joad wrote: »

It was a good enough price to convince me to put a tenner on Ballymun

Wouldn't disabuse you of the notion!

The fact that Ballymun are new to the party is influencing the pricing I think, but the fact is the path out of Dublin to this stage of the competition is such a minefield that it's very tough to predict who will get there. Crokes, Brigid's and Cross were all expected at this stage, but the fact that Ballymun weren't necessarily is no bad reflection on them.

Tom Joad

keane2097 wrote: »

Wouldn't disabuse you of the notion!

The fact that Ballymun are new to the party is influencing the pricing I think, but the fact is the path out of Dublin to this stage of the competition is such a minefield that it's very tough to predict who will get there. Crokes, Brigid's and Cross were all expected at this stage, but the fact that Ballymun weren't necessarily is no bad reflection on them.

Its an attractive bet - my feeling is that the other three are focussing on the final in many ways and Ballymun have none of that baggage or pressure weighing them down. They also have some serious talent that are used to winning and won't be shackled easily.

Main thing is that they should both be cracking games..

Drummerboy2

Its going to be a cracking game between Dr Crokes and Ballymun.

Ballymun to score first, lead at HT and full time: 7/1 is a decent bet

DARK-KNIGHT

Best of luck to ballymun.. Do Leinster proud lads!!!!

Just An Opinion

Rooting for our local rivals today, a big push for the Patricks Day finale against Roscommon's St. Brigids. Paul Curran doing a brilliant job there, all the best Kickhams!

keane2097

There will be live updates here if anyone is unable to get TG4:

http://www.livegaelic.com/scores/

Rebelheart

Yes! Wonderful goal, Ballymun!

BM: 1.02
DrCrokes: 0.02

Just An Opinion

Brilliant performance well done lads!