13-man Ballymun march past Kilmacud into Dublin SFC final

Manager Brendan Hackett to consider appeal over Leon Young suspension for county final

Ballymun Kickhams 1-18 Kilmacud Crokes 2-12

Brendan Hackett reckons his Ballymun Kickhams side are on the verge of winning the toughest Dublin SFC title ever.

The 2012 champions and 2017 finalists came from a point down to blitz Kilmacud Crokes 1-4 to 0-1 in the closing minutes. But a late melee that resulted in two straight red cards has left them up against it for the final against Ballyboden St Enda's on Saturday or Sunday week.

Former Dublin player Davy Byrne and wing-back Leon Young were both dismissed after a stoppage time melee - ruling them out of the 'Boden date. Byrne appeared to strike and Hackett said it looked clear cut but he was puzzled by Young's treatment and an appeal looks likely.

As for a potential first title in eight years, former Westmeath, Offaly and Longford boss Hackett spelled out exactly what that would mean. He said: "I always said that this is the championship to win - 2020 will be remembered as the hardest championship that there's been in Dublin because every club has all their players available.

"There's no excuses. No-one can say that so and so got injured or was tired after playing with the county. This is the championship to win and it will be remembered in that way. I don't remember a Dublin championship in my time as hard as this, with all the clubs having everyone on board."

Ballymun are the great underachievers in Dublin football, mainly because key men like Dean Rock, James McCarthy, the Smalls and Philly McMahon are often jaded in autumn after playing with Dublin.

They've all been to the fore this season and Rock top scored again with 0-8 while Paddy Small was excellent in attack. Both sides failed to convert a first-half penalty though Rock at least saw his shot deflect off the 'keeper and over for a Ballymun point.

They led 0-10 to 1-6 at half-time though it was tough, tactical, uncompromising stuff and the sides were level four times in the second-half.

Ballymun trailed 0-14 to 1-12 with five minutes to go but blitzed Crokes from there with Cathal O'Tighe's tap in 60th minute goal the crucial score.

As for the scrap which cost Ballymun two players, Hackett claimed Young was harshly treated. He said: "I think that's probably a mistake. If the other one's a strike, which I'm told it is, you can't appeal a strike so there's no issue with that."

Ballymun Kickhams: E Comerford; E Dolan, P McMahon, D Conlon; L Young, J Small (0-1), C Keeley (0-1); A Elliott, J McCarthy; F Andrews, D Byrne, B Ashton; P Small (0-3, 1M), C McCormack (0-2), D Rock (0-8, 3f, 1pen, 1 M). Subs: D Keating (0-1) for Andrews 37, J Whelan (0-2) for Ashton 37, C O'Tighe (1-0) for McCormack 59, J Burke for P Small 68.

Kilmacud Crokes: C Ferris; R O'Carroll, L Flatman, C O'Shea; C O'Connor, C O'Sullivan, A McGowan; C Dias, C Casey; S Horan (0-1), S Cunningham (0-1), D O'Brien (1-0); P Mannion (0-3, 1f), D Mullin (0-5, 3f, 1M), H Kenny (0-2, 1M). Subs: C Pearson for O'Brien 45, C Kinsella for Horan 46, P Burke (1-0) for Cunningham 51.

Ref: J King.