Vincent’s set up final decider with Ballymun

DEFENDING champions St Vincent’s will face Ballymun Kickhams in the Dublin SFC final after they got the better of 13-man St Jude’s at Parnell Park on Saturday.

Although Nathan Mullins claimed a superb solo goal on 20 minutes for Vincent’s, four points from Kevin McManamon helped the southside club to level terms

(1-4 to 0-7) at the midway point. However, after Mark Sweeney and goalkeeper Paul Copeland were shown red cards in the 38th and 45th minutes respectively, Jude’s had a mountain to climb.

Goals from Tomás Quinn, Shane Carthy and Brendan Egan placed the outcome beyond doubt – before Diarmuid McLoughlin secured a late consolation score for Jude’s.

Diarmuid Connolly also ruled out a switch to Dublin’s hurlers following the appointment of Pat Gilroy as manager.

“I probably would have been able to do it if I went and picked hurling at 20 or 21 years of age but I went the other way and picked football so I think that ship has sailed,” Connolly told eir Sport.

Dean Rock and Paddy Small were excellent for Ballymun Kickhams as they booked their place in the decider with a comfortable victory over Kilmacud Crokes.

A goal from Jason Whelan saw Ballymun develop a 1-8 to 0-3 interval cushion.

A Rock penalty opened up a

12-point gap with 11 minutes remaining, helping Ballymun towards a 2-15 to 1-10 triumph.