Kilmacud Crokes rise to occasion to claim historic third Dublin SFC crown in a row

Kilmacud Crokes 1-14 Ballyboden St Enda's 0-09

We should never have doubted them. Kilmacud Crokes, the reigning All-Ireland club title holders, were billed as underdogs for this Dublin SFC final but turned in their best performance of the season to claim a historic three-in-a-row.

Buttressed by a stout defence that conceded just six points from play, and inspired in attack by Galway star Shane Walsh who struck 1-02, Robbie Brennan's side streaked to their biggest win of this year's campaign.

Walsh blasted a terrific goal in the 40th minute, doubling Crokes' advantage from three to six points at that stage, and they soared clear from there with Shane Cunningham also impressive.

It is the club's first ever three-in-a-row and their 11th county crown moves them level with O'Tooles as the second most successful team ever in the capital, behind St Vincent's.

Ballyboden were a pale shadow of the side that showed such strong form in their quest for a fifth title ever and a first since 2019.

They never led and were unable to trouble a Crokes defence that has seen it all at this stage following back to back provincial club championships successes.

Crokes will return to the Leinster championship on Saturday, 4 November and will take on the Carlow champions Eire Og under lights, in Carlow.

Crokes must have enjoyed the rare experience of coming into the game as underdogs having narrowly scraped past Raheny in the semi-final following a penalty shoot-out.

Before that, their largest win in this year's campaign was a six-point dismissal of Castleknock in the group. For the most part, Brennan's side did just about enough to return to the decider.

In defence of the back to back Leinster club champions, they have been without injured Dublin