All-Ireland champions Kilmacud Crokes got their Dublin senior football championship defence off to a winning start with a 0-14 to 2-5 victory over St Sylvester’s this evening.

Minus the services of ace attackers Paul Mannion and Shane Walsh at Parnell Park, the holders saw out this one thanks to late points from Cian O’Connor (2) and Dara Mullin after a late Sylvester’s goal had threatened an upset.

The points of Darragh Dempsey, Craig Dias and Shane Horan (free) helped Crokes to lead by 0-6 to 0-2 at the halfway stage, but Alex Wright’s penalty brought St Sylvester’s right back into the game just two minutes into the restart.

Mullin (free) and O’Connor got the Stillorgan men motoring again and Conor Casey’s point had the margin at five before Jack Hazley punched in a 51st minute goal which made it 0-11 to 2-3.

O’Connor steadied the Crokes’ ship with two points down the home stretch ahead of Mullin landing another that ensure their opening win for the 10-time champions.

Elsewhere this evening, Raheny recorded a 1-10 to 1-6 victory over Cuala while earlier in the day there were wins for St Jude’s over Na Fianna (2-11 to 1-10) and Thomas Davis against Lucan Sarsfields (3-12 to 1-9).

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