KEANEY’S 40 BUT NOT OUT

A DREAM double of senior football and hurling titles could well be on the cards for one of the capital’s superclubs.

Last night’s draw for the semi-finals of the hurling championship paired Cuala off with Na Fianna and holders Kilmacud Crokes with Ballyboden St Enda’s.

Cuala and Crokes were already through to the last four after topping their respective groups, while Na Fianna overcame St Vincent’s 1-19 to 0-17 and ’Boden beat Lucan Sarsfields 2-21 to 0-23 to advance.

Three of the four semifinalists, Crokes, ’Boden and Na Fianna, will also contest next weekend’s football semi-finals.

It is a busy period for dual players in those clubs, particularly Conal Keaney, who parked his 40th birthday celebrations to help ’Boden see off Lucan on Saturday.

Keaney (inset) put the champagne on ice and played almost all of yesterday’s game, setting up a number of scores and pinching a point.

Ex-Dublin colleagues Paul Ryan and Niall McMorrow hit the crucial 21st and 34th minute goals for the Firhouse Road men at Parnell Park.

Free-taker Ryan struck 1-8 in all, while the excellent McMorrow, wearing number eight but featuring at full-forward, notched all of his 1-3 from open play.

McMorrow’s goal, when he punished the Lucan ’keeper for failing to gather the ball close to n goal, moved ’Boden six points ahead.

It looked like the 2018 champions would run amok as they opened up with fine scores from Keaney, Luke McDwyer and Ryan.

Lucan cut the gap to just two by half-time though as Colm Walsh took over with three expert scores.

Then when they fell six points behind again in the second half after Ryan’s goal from a penalty, there was another Sarsfields comeback.

Lucan free-taker Chris O’Leary, who sniped

0-12 overall, Paul Rigney and Ciaran Dowling all struck late points to leave just two points in it after 61 minutes.

But McMorrow and sub Niall Ryan intervened with insurance points.

Meanwhile, Colin Currie’s stunning solo goal propelled Na Fianna beyond neighbours St Vincent’s.

County attacker Currie blasted 1-4 in all for the Mobhi Road men to keep their hopes of a maiden title alive.

Misses

All-Star nominee Donal Burke top scored for Na Fianna with 0-8 but was taken off the frees in the second-half after a string of misses.

He still came good when it mattered with a stoppage time point from the left wing that copperfastened the win.

John Hetherton’s 54th minute dismissal after a heavy hit on Sean Ryan was a blow to the Marino side.

Vincent’s will kick themselves as they led 0-12 to 1-6 at half-time.

Hetherton’s 48th minute strike at goal from a penalty was blocked, minutes before his red card exit.