There are many who believe Con O’Callaghan is as important to the Dublin football team as David Clifford is to Kerry. And I’m one of them.
The injury suffered in mid-season by the Cuala schemer was a huge blow to Dublin who bowed out rather tamely to Tyrone in the All Ireland quarter final with their talisman introduced on one leg in the second half.
On the weekend that former two-time All Ireland winner and former Louth boss Ger Brennan was unveiled as the new metropolitan kingpin, O’Callaghan used the platform of the local senior football championship to remind one and all of his genius.
The inside forward struck 3-6 as Cuala got their title defense off to a winning start against an outclassed Raheny side on a 4-16 to 0-14 scoreline at Parnell Park.
The two O’Callaghans - Con and brother Niall - got in for first-half goals to give their side a five-point interval lead.
Former Mayo goalkeeper Rob Hennelly together with Jack Fagan reduced arrears before Niall landed a two-pointer and Con killed off the game with a double strike on the way to a 14-point win.
In other first round championship games, emerging Ballinteer St John’s had a comfortable 1-23 to 1-11 win against St Vincent’s.
Mark McNally and Johnny Quirke led the way for a Ballinteer team that enjoyed a 0-11 to 1-7 advantage at the break with St Vincent’s boosted by a goal from captain Gavin Burke.
The free-taking of Jack Lundy allowed St John’s to stretch their lead after the break and the icing on the cake was provided in the dying seconds as substitute Liam Fenton found the net after his pace had taken him away from the Vinnies rearguard.
Ballyboden St Enda’s had a facile 4-23 to 3-9 victory against Na Fianna at Parnell Park.
St Enda’s, who clinched the Division 1 league title earlier in the year, served early notice of their intent through a 5th minute goal by Darren O’Reilly with Daire Sweeney putting further distance between the teams with their second goal four minutes later.
Colm Basquel heaped further misery on Na Fianna as he added three sublime two-pointers in the first-half and while Brian O’Leary replied with a brace of goals for the Glasnevin side, a James Holland goal pushed Ballyboden into a healthy 3-15 to 2-3 interval lead.
A 43rd minute goal from Ryan O’Dwyer ended any optimistic hopes of a Na Fianna comeback despite O’Leary completing his predatory hat-trick in injury time.
Templeogue Synge Street clawed back a six-point deficit in the final quarter to earn a deserved 2-15 apiece draw with Ballymun Kickhams.
First-half goals by Paddy Small and Dillon Keating appeared sufficient for Kickhams but with Niall Scully excelling on his way to eight points, Synger completed their comeback courtesy of 2-2 by Luke O’Brien.
Paul Mannion and Dara Mullin were to the fore as KilmacudCrokes easily accounted for Clontarf by 0-21 to 0-14.
They will now face St Jude’s in Round 2 after the Templeogue side pipped St Sylvester’s by 0-24 to 1-18 in Balgriffin.
Earlier in the day, Lucan Sarsfields finished strongly to get the better of Thomas Davis by 1-18 to 2-12.
Ex-Kerry boss Keane leaves Banner
Former Kerry Manager Peter Keane has left the Clare senior football job after just one season in charge.
He led the side to a Munster final where they were well beaten by Kerry on the day. However it wasn’t that 11-point loss which was the problem, more the losses to Down, Monaghan and Louth in their subsequent All-Ireland SFC group stage fixtures.
He was unfortunate in the league where the Banner missed out on promotion to Div 2 on score difference to Kildare and Offaly.
On his decision to move on, Keane said: “It is with regret that I am unable to commit to managing Clare senior footballers for the year ahead. A combination of factors are influencing my decision, namely growing business demands, plus travel and time challenges.
“I really enjoyed my time working with a great panel of footballers, whose commitment and dedication was first class. Their desire to be better footballers and play for their county at the highest level was exemplary.
“They were both a privilege and a pleasure to train and work with, to manage, represent Clare, playing with pride and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
Clare GAA chairman Kieran Keating said: "I know from discussing Clare football matters with Peter over the past year that his interest in our cause was genuine and his engagement with our players was always enthusiastic and forthright.
"The logistics of his journey to Clare a number of times a week for the duration of the season proved difficult to manage alongside his business interests and personal/family commitments, and whilst we had sincerely hoped Peter could remain in the manager's role, we accept his decision with the grace he brought to the appointment.”
