Final Four: Uncharted territory for Ballymun Kickhams
Final Four: Uncharted territory for Ballymun Kickhams
Ahead of their AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final clash with Dr. Crokes on Saturday, GAA.ie puts Dublin and Leinster champions Ballymun Kickhams under the microscope.
The 'Mun face the Crokes, the Kerry champions , at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday at 4pm. GAA.ie will have live updates from the game, as well as the other semi-final featuring Crossmaglen and St Brigid's (2pm) throughout the afternoon.
Who are they?
The Dublin and Leinster senior football champions. Founded in 1969, they are relative newcomers compared to their rivals Dr. Crokes. However, Ballymun have an impressive honours list in that short time-frame, winning county titles in 1982 and '85, before adding a third, after a 27-year gap, last October by beating Kilmacud Crokes in the final. A first Leinster title in their history was added to the trophy cabinet in the autumn.
Path to the semi-final?
Battled through the latter stages of the Dublin senior football championship, securing a narrow one-point win over St Vincent's in the quarter-final before beating St Jude's by 1-16 to 1-7 in the semi-final. The 'Mun just about eclipsed Kilmacud Crokes in the county final at the end of October, by 1-12 to 0-14, thanks largely to Dean Rock's seven-point haul and a superb defensive effort in the face of some intense pressure at the end of the game.
The Dublin representatives have coasted through the Leinster Championship, accounting for Mullingar Shamrocks (Westmeath) by 2-13 to 0-7 and then Sarsfields (Kildare) by 1-8 to 0-5 before facing Portlaoise (Laois) in the provincial final. Despite only scoring two points in the second half, Paul Curran's side had done enough in the first half an hour to secure a first-ever Leinster title.
Strengths?
A brilliant defence. The 'Mun haven't conceded a goal in this run since the Dublin semi-final, when St Judes' Declan Donnelly put one past them from the penalty spot. They went through Leinster without Seán Currie's goal being breached, which is a serious achievement. Alan Hubbard, Philly McMahon, Karl Connolly and James Burke have all been outstanding at the back.
Players to Watch?
Dean Rock, the son of legendary Dublin forward Barney Rock, is Ballymun's star man, having scored 0-59 in his side's nine games to date. Rock, who is expected to get a call from Dublin manager Jim Gavin as soon as his club duties are finished, has a habit of kicking crucial scores. Ted Furman is their main goal-scoring threat, while Dublin star James McCarthy has been brilliant in midfield with Davy Byrne. At the back, Alan Hubbard and Philly McMahon are their outstanding performers.
On the sideline?
1995 All-Ireland winner Paul Curran has masterminded Ballymun's return to the top table. Curran, who won a Leinster club title with his club Thomas Davis as a player, was a Dublin U21 selector under Jim Gavin before going out on his own. Ken Robinson is Curran's right hand man and team trainer, while Gerry Dolan and Joe O'Dwyer are his selectors.
Track Record?
Uncharted territory. Having won their first Leinster title in December, Ballymun have never played in the All-Ireland series of the AIB Club championships before. They failed at the final hurdle in 1982, losing to Portlaoise in the Leinster final.
You can read an in-depth analysis of Ballymun's opponents on Saturday, Dr. Crokes, here .