DCU students Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, Dean Rock, John Small and Andy O’Brien were part of the Ballymun Kickhams panel that annexed the clubs third County senior football title.
It was Dean Rock who grabbed the headlines as the full-forward kicked seven points (five from play) against Kilmacud Crokes, helping the ‘Mun to a slender 1-12 to 0-14 victory.
Ballymun made the better start and dominated for much of the opening thirty, leading at the break by 1-8 to 0-5. Four unanswered points from the right boot of Pat Burke early in the second-half however, dragged the Southsiders back into contention.
Thereafter, Crokes were left to rue a plethora of missed chances with Cian O’Sullivan, not renowned for his scoring ability, including one with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
With Crokes breathing down the neck of their Northside rivals, it was left to Rock and Jason Whelan to kick some crucial scores to see Ballymun over the line.
It was all hands to the pump for Ballymun’s rearguard division for long stretches of the second half, with Philly McMahon performing the role of sweeper in his typically composed style. In midfield, McCarthy had it tough against the mobile Pat Duggan, but he helped his team gain possession at some crucial times in the game.
John Small, who captained DCU freshers to league success last year, was introduced and played a vital role in containing Pat Burke.
Darragh Mcghee
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