Kilmacud Crokes are into the Leinster club championship semi-final and Paul Mannion was the inspiration.
Crokes did for St Jude’s in the Dublin SFC final recently and Mannion scored 1-6 to spur his side on.
Against St Pete’s, Dunboyne – the Meath champions – he outdid that scoring return.
Mannion was a marked man – sometimes double-marked – for long periods but it is hard to keep him quiet for long. His blistering pace, nifty footwork and attacking awareness are all too good to keep him out of the picture for long.
Against Dunboyne, he was happy to chip away with well-taken points or draw the fouls that led to his side pulling away on the scoreboard.
There were moments of concern, for Mannion and Kilmacud, when the Dublin forward went down holding his ankle and received treatment. He was able to carry on, however, and was soon back to full pace.
The dagger was plunged after the break when Mannion was fouled to win a penalty. He got back to his feet, dusted himself off and slotted home.
Three minutes later and it was game over. Dunboyne coughed up the ball trying to play out of defence and Mannion made them pay. That made it 2-10 to 0-5 and there was no way back.
When he was called ashore, with over 15 minutes to play, Paul Mannion had scored 2-6.
Impressive display from All Star Paul Mannion @KCrokesGAAClub into @gaaleinster SFC semi final @AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/6JCWLTFvbM
— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) November 11, 2018
The final score at Pairc Tailteann was 2-17 to 0-7 and Kilmacud are looking every bit as good as another Crokes side currently gliding through the Munster championship.
Next March could be a Crokes versus Crokes cracker at Croke Park, but there are some twists and turns ahead yet.
Elsewhere in Leinster, Portlaoise got past Moorefield of Kildare at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge.
Eiré Og (Carlow) beat Newtown Blues in their last eight clash while Rhode of Offaly were bested by The Laurels.
