Kilmacud Crokes given a scare by Kerins O'Rahilly's as they book return to All-Ireland final

Kilmacud Crokes have moved within an hour of AIB All-Ireland club SFC redemption after holding off a battling Kerins O'Rahillys to secure their final spot.

Beaten by Kilcoo in last February's final following a dramatic goal at the end of extra-time, Robbie Brennan's gutsy crew will have the opportunity to atone in a fortnight.

They will return to Croke Park to face either Glen or Moycullen who meet in the second semi-final this afternoon.

Hugh Kenny scored 1-02 for Crokes and won the Man of the Match award though Crokes might have expected a more comfortable passage when they led by seven points with 10 minutes to go.

They leaked a series of scores to the Jack Savage inspired Kerry outfit though and were relieved to hear the final whistle with three points between the teams.

O'Rahillys had a late, late chance to level it when Savage lofted a free in from the right but David Moran's fisted shot was caught on the line by Crokes' Dara Mullin.

Crokes deserved the win overall and should have scored more than just the one goal with Shane Foley in the O'Rahillys goals pulling off a series of fine saves throughout.

It is the fifth game in a row that Crokes have avoided conceding a goal in, a run of stout defending that goes all the way back to the county semi-final.

The back to back Leinster champions made a late change to their lineup, including Cian O'Connor at wing-forward at the expense of Tom Fox.

It was former Dublin player O'Connor that scored Crokes' first point in the seventh minute when his shot cannoned off the post.

The sides were level three times before Crokes gradually pulled clear, a four-in-a-row of scores from Kenny, Shane Horan, Shane Cunningham and Mullin between the 16th and 26th minutes putting daylight between the