Leinster Club SFC: Mannion continues his rich vein of form as Kilmacud march on
November 11, 2018
Kilmacud Crokes' Paul Mannion scores a penalty against Dunboyne. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne.
Paul Mannion bagged 2-6 as Kilmacud Crokes eased past St Peter’s, Dunboyne in today’s Leinster SFC quarter-final clash at Pairc Tailteann.
Kilmacud Crokes 2-17
St Peter’s, Dunboyne 0-7
The Dublin-star netted two goals in quick succession in the third quarter to copper-fasten the expected outcome.
The interval was bookended by some heavy rain and just before it arrived Dunboyne managed to trim the deficit to just four points.
It didn't get any better for the Meath champions as Crokes kicked-on from the restart to finish with 16 points to spare.
It was the Stillorgan-side's third win from as many Leinster Club SFC meetings with Dunboyne. Former Meath 'keeper made a cameo appearance in the latter stages having played in the two previous championship clashes between the sides.
The overall lack of competitiveness led to a low-key atmosphere. It took 10 second-half minutes before the interval tally was added to.
The next two scores were Mannions' goal. The first was an expertly struck 40th minute penalty. Before the mid-point of the second-half the county star added a second with a well-placed low shot following a defensive error.
That left 11 points between the sides, 2-10 to 0-5. Kilmacud outscored Dunboyne by 0-7 to 0-2 thereafter. Mannion's 51st minute point was the standout score and followed an excellent pick-up.
Stuart Lowndes (44th minute) and wing-back Seamus Lavin (57) were Dunboyne's second-half scores. They did have chances but registered eight wides to Crokes three.
It took Dunboyne just 19 seconds to get off the mark through Stuart Lowndes when playing into the breeze coming from the hospital end.
The hot favourites quickly asserted themselves, responding with seven points on the spin. Two Dara Mullin efforts from play were bolstered by four scores from frees.
Pat Burke and Paul Mannion were responsible for those placed ball scores while full-back Andrew McGowan pitched in to make it 0-7 to 0-1 after 20 minutes.
Matters improved for Dunboyne in the run-in to half-time. Stuart Lowndes brother Craig landed the second score. A well-constructed team effort end with Robert McCarthy sending over the Meath champions third.
Points from David McEntee (free) and team captain Cathal Finn left Dunboyne just four off the pace. Pat Burke's fourth pointed free left it 0-10 to 0-5 to the Crokes at half-time.
Seven of Kilmacud's first-half scores came from frees with Dunboyne getting one such score. The second-half scoring was compressed into the final 20 minutes with the Dublin-men outscoring Dunboyne by 2-7 to 0-2.
Kilmacud Crokes - David Nestor; Liam Flatman, Andrew McGowan (0-1), Aidan Jones; Cian O'Connor (0-1), Cillian O'Shea (0-1), Ross McGowan; Craig Dias, Conor Casey; Shane Cunningham, Paul Mannion (2-6, 1-0 pen, 0-5 fs), Shane Horan; Pat Burke (0-4 fs), Dara Mullin (0-2), Callum Pearson (0-1). Subs - Ronan Ryan for Jones (40), Kevin Dyas for S Horan (44), Stephen Williams (0-1) for Mannon (54), Tom Fox for Cunningham (54), Mark Vaughan for Burke (54), Nathan Nolan for C Dias (57).
St Peter’s, Dunboyne - Cian Flynn; Sean Ryan, Shane McEntee, Cian O'Dywer; Cathal Finn (C) (0-1), Gavin McCoy, Seamus Lavin (0-1); Jack Donnelly, Niall Jones; Stuart Lowndes (0-2), David McEntee (0-1f), Liam Byrne; Robert McCarthy (0-1), Ronan Jones, Craig Lowndes (0-1). Subs - Conor Doran for Ryan (bc 23), Jack Scannell for Donnelly (41), David Gallagher for Jones (46), Michael Dunne for D McEntee (54), Shane Comiskey for McCarthy (54), Stephen Moran for O'Dwyer (57).
Referee - Maurice Deegan (Laois).
