Castleknock have made history by qualifying for their first ever Dublin SFC final thanks to a hard fought 0-11 to 1-4 victory over St Jude's at Parnell Park tonight.

The Somerton side stepped up to the mark in the second half to see off Jude's and set up a showdown with St Vincent's on Saturday, November 5. Lar Norton's charges outscored their opponents by 0-8 to 1-1 after the break with Dessie Carlos finishing with a tally of 0-9 (7f).

The teams were deadlocked on 0-3 apiece at the end of a tense opening half which saw more wides (four each) than scores at both ends. St Jude's established an early 0-3 to 0-1 lead after efforts from Declan Donnelly, Kieran Doherty and Kevin McManamon.

In what was their maiden championship semi-final appearance in the top ranks, Ciaran Kilkenny's Castleknock opened their account through a Dessie Carlos free and the half forward pointed another placed ball before Mikey Galvin split the posts superbly on 20 minutes to level matters.

Castleknock's Morven Connolly, Tom Quinn and Eoin O'Brien celebrate at the final whistle.
©INPHO/Tommy Dickson.

The standard of play improved somewhat at the change of ends with Niall Coakley (free) registering Jude's first score since the 10th minute and Carlos replying with three quickfire frees to edge Castleknock in front, 0-6 to 0-4 on 45 minutes. Then came the game's only goal when McManamon burst through the Castleknock rearguard to finish to the net and hand his side the initiative.

However, Jude's failed to build on their advantage and instead it was Castleknock who took control of proceedings in the final quarter with five unanswered points. Ben Galvin drew them level before the outstanding Carlos closed out the contest with four scores which included two from play to seal a memorable win.

Castleknock - M Connolly; T Quinn, E O'Brien, P Bourke; G Hannigan, T Shiels, P Sherry; C Kilkenny, J Sherry; S Boland, B Galvin (0-1), D Carlos (0-9, 7f); C Lynch, K Kindlon, M Galvin (0-1). Subs: J Kindlon for M Galvin, T Corcoran for C Lynch, M Griffin for B Galvin. 

St Jude's - P Copeland; R Martina, P Cunningham, R Finnegan; C McBride, M Sweeney, B Sheehan; C Murphy, S Ryan; T Lahiff, R Joyce, K Doherty (0-1); D Donnelly (0-1), N Coakley (0-1f), K McManamon (1-1). Subs: E Dalton for R Joyce, D McLoughlin for T Lahiff, P Courtney for C Murphy, O Manning for C McBride, J Donnelly for K Doherty, B McManamon for N Coakley.

Referee - J King.

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