In his program notes, Dublin women’s football chairman Joe Keane remembered John Sheridan, the man who started the journey at Stillorgan. On muddy, rain-beaten ground all those years ago.
n an enchanting Friday night in September, all these years later, Kilmacud Crokes won their first Go-Ahead Dublin Women’s Senior Championship title.
How John would have savored the moment – Patsy Murphy presenting Crokes captain Emer Sweeney with the trophy, the cup that honors the memory of Patsy’s brother Michael.
Emer also acknowledged John’s contribution. There were tears in the eyes and joy in the heart.
A large crowd gathered on the grounds to watch the presentation. Standing on a surface that looked like the 18th green above the wall of Clontarf Golf Club.
History was written all over the grass. It was the first time that Thomas Davis walked the red carpet. It won’t be the last.
They contributed so much to such a momentous occasion. Which started with Grace Horan of the Man O War club singing the national anthem. Beautifully.
In the portico was another notable figure, Denise Masterson, Dublin’s first skipper to lift the Brendan Martin Cup.
Joining her as commentator is Ciara Trant, the accomplished goalkeeper who has a bag full of medals from all over Ireland.
Michelle Davoren also played for the Dubs. She reads the play like Kathleen Watkins would recite one of Patrick Kavanagh’s poems.
She played as an all-around striker for Crokes. And so many early balls came to him. She turned every crumb into gold.
She clipped the first point of the match within seconds, the ball bouncing off the top of the bar at the end of the scoreboard. And, quickly, Páirc de Búrca’s team was up and sprinting.
They clung tightly. They were four points one up when they scored in the 16th minute. And what a goal it was.
Davoren’s intelligence and quick hands opened a door again. Julia Buckley came in from the right of the posts. River dances around several tackles before planting the ball deep in the bag.
However, the Tallaght team slipped in. At halftime it was 1-7 at 0-4. Kiltipper’s team got even bigger in the second period.
Just one point as the game entered its five minutes of added time. Crokes was on the back foot. But, in the 62nd minute, they put together a magnificent move. This led to Cassie Sultan breaking through. His shot found the roof of the net.
A free Ciara McGuigan left only one goal once again. And in the last breath of the night, a high and dangerous ball, coming from the left, fell on the edge of Crokes Square. Mounted the group of hands. He could have gone anywhere. He went wide. Crokes was at home. And happy.
MATCHFILE
Scorers – Kilmacud Crokes: J. Buckley 1-1; K Murray 0-4 (3f); Sultan C 1-0; M Davoren 0-2; L Kane, M Jennings 0-1 apiece. Thomas Davis: C McGuigan 0-5 (3f); M Deeney 0-4 (3f); N Kirby, S Deegan, R Newell 0-1 apiece.
KILMACUD CROKES: D Gower; P Greene, E Sweeney, C Regan; L Magee, M Lamb, A Kane; G Kos, K McDaid; L Kane, E Rutledge, M Jennings; Murray K, Davoren M, Buckley J. Subs: C Sultan, A Conroy, D Duke.
THOMAS DAVIS: C Staunton; C MacCabe, R McTavish, E Whelan; E Phillips, C Casey, T Quinn Corbally; O Carey, N Kirby; J Sweeney, S Deegan, L Young; M Deeney, R Newell, C McGuigan. Subs: O McGuigan, N McGoldrick, E Phillips.
MENTORS – Kilmacud: P O’Donoghue, P Ward, T Jennings, I Callaghan, D Collins, D Buckley, E Moran, K Kirby. Thomas Davis: P Boland, B McNulty, G Deasy, S Blanchfield, P Wright, M McGrath, M Sheehy.
ARBITRATOR: David Murphy (St James’s Gaels/An Caislean).
WIDE – Kilmacud: 4 (3+1); Davis: 5 (3+2).
TERMS : Dry, cool, calm at night.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Michelle Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes).
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