Glen head to Newry to renew rivalry with Kilmacud Crokes

AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-final

Kilmacud Crokes vs. Glen

Pairc Esler, Newry

Today, 3:45pm

THE journey for county and provincial champions Glen continues today with the trip to Pairc Esler, Newry (3:45pm) to face reigning All-Ireland champions Kilmacud Crokes in a repeat of last year's decider, which only a kick of the ball decided at the final whistle.

Controversy overshadowed the day with the Dublin champions finishing with 17 players on the field. However, that is now very much water under the bridge and all the focus will be on making it back-to-back All-Ireland final day appearances for the Watty Grahams men. They secured a third successive county title without really having to hit top gear, their biggest scare coming in their semi-final victory over Slaughtneil. In Ulster they had a number of close shaves but came through them and are well prepared for the challenge ahead. Meanwhile, the Dublin side came out of Dublin comfortably and also eased through the Leinster campaign to keep ther hopes of a third consecutive final date alive.
Back in January it finished 1-11 to 1-9, the Crokes led at the break by one, Shane Walsh and Danny Tallon hitting a goal a piece at either end. It was nip and tuck in the second half, Glen had their goal chances but coming down the final straight Crokes led by two as Glen pushed for a goal to win it and it almost came but the Dublin side held out.
Sunday's clash is eagerly awaited not just in both clubs but one that will be watched by almost everyone in the GAA, even more so after the controversial end the last day.

Glen may not have lit up the world yet but that second half performance in the Ulster final victory over Scotsown showed when they need to up the tempo they have that performance in them to do so. This clash will be a step up from what they have faced already this season but Malachy O'Rourke and his management will have studied carefully that meeting just under 12 months ago to see how they can improve and curtail the Crokes this time around.
While Galway man Walsh will lead the firing line, Dara Mullan and Paul Mannion will add to a fierce full forward line. Glen, defensively have had a very solid year but as mentioned this will be a step up from what they have faced but one players like Ryan Dougan, Michael Warnock, Conor Carville and co will relish and very much be ready to take on.

The return of Ciaran McFaul this season has also helped the Glen cause. At the centre of the park both Emmett Bradley and Conor Glass are two of the best around at present and up front Glen have the players to cause any defence problems on their day. They were left to rue goal chances missed in the meeting in Croker so they will be keen to put them away of they materialise this time around. They never raised a green flag in the Ulster campaign, their last goal coming in the county decider when Cathal Mulholland poked home in the win over Magherafelt.
So, what has changed from that meeting in January 2023. No doubt the return of McFaul for Glen has strenghtened their cause. Also the fact Glen had only won their first provincial title and were contesting a first every All-Ireland final. The feeling would be they are more ready for this one this time around and also add in the fact that the game is outside of Crokes' back yard, which could have a baring.

Crokes though will be out to prove a point on that controversial ending and to very much put it to bed by beating the Watty's again. Sunday will have all the answers and no matter what, hopefully all the talk will be about the football on show. The man in the middle will be Conor Lane from Cork.