Shane Walsh the gift that just keeps giving as Kilmacud Crokes retain Leinster title

Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 1-12 The Downs (Westmeath) 0-8

Santa and his elves are currently ensconced in the Cusack Stand as part of Croke Park’s Christmas Experience, but for Kilmacud Crokes it is Shane Walsh who is the gift that just keeps giving.

Walsh, admittedly, had 14 helpers at Croke Park as Crokes retained the Leinster club senior football title for the first time, but there was no question as to who the main man was as the All Star forward scored 0-9 against The Downs, seven with his right, two with his left.

It was the same total he scored against Kerry in July when he delivered probably the greatest display of any player to end up on the losing side in an All-Ireland SFC final, but on this occasion Walsh ticked all the boxes on a day Croke Park felt like the inside of a freezer.

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“He has that type of ability,” said Kilmacud manager Robbie Brennan. “He is a bit of a genius with the ball and it’s good he can show it out there on those type of days.”

The outcome never looked in any doubt as Crokes led 1-9 to 0-1 at half-time and their opponents, who were hoping to become the second Westmeath team after Garrycastle in 2011 to win the provincial title, only registered their second score in the 43rd minute – by which stage Kilmacud had 1-11 on the board.

“At half-time you would say the game was over, against the wind in the first half was always going to be a challenge in our first Leinster final against a top-quality team,” said Lar Wall, manager of The Downs.

It is the sixth time Kilmacud have won the provincial club football championship but this is their first successful defence of the title.

“Back-to-back has never been done by us in the club,” added Brennan. “So we knew that was something we could make history for us as a club, so delighted we got it done. It means a lot to the group.”

As the relentless sheets of rain swept in over Croke Park in the first half, you feared The Downs were out of their depth against a seasoned and well-drilled Crokes side, who in Walsh also boasted the standout star quality on the field.

Playing at centre forward, he opened the scoring in the third minute after playing a neat one-two with Craig Dias.

Seconds later Walsh dropped an effort short from out wide on the left, but Shane Cunningham read the flight of the ball brilliantly to race in and redirect the ball to the back of the net with his fist.

Luke Loughlin opened his side’s account with a 12th-minute free but their next score would not arrive until the 43rd minute, during which time Crokes scored 0-10 without reply.

Rory O’Carroll even roamed up the pitch to get in on the scoring action for Crokes during that spell.

However, the pick of the bunch was a beautifully curled free by Walsh from out near the Cusack Stand sideline, between the 13- and 20-metre lines. It also happened to be the last of the opening period, sending Crokes in 11 points to the good at the turnaround.

Walsh clipped over the first two points of the second half, both frees – one off the right, one off the left, to make it 1-11 to 0-1 after 37 minutes. He was their only scorer in a second half in which they managed just three points, but it was more than enough as The Downs never looked like reeling in the Dublin champions.

“He was a bit subdued the last day and I was fearful he’d come to life today as he did in the All-Ireland,” remarked Wall, when asked about Walsh’s impact on the game.

“If you’re on top you might have some chance but when you’re swimming against the tide it’s very hard to contain Shane Walsh as well, he’s a top-quality player.”

The Downs scored six of the last seven points in this contest. But, truth be told, it had long ceased being a contest by that stage.

Kilmacud dual player Brian Sheehy was not given a run by the footballers at Croke Park, having played all of the first game with the hurlers, with Brennan feeling it ‘wouldn’t have been fair’ to risk him as he was shattered.

Crokes will now face the winners of the Munster club final – Newcastle West or Kerins O’Rahilly’s – in an All-Ireland semi-final on the weekend of January 7th-8th.

Ominously for the rest, Paul Mannion could feature in the All-Ireland series for Crokes. He has yet to start back running but Mannion did have the screws removed nine days ago as his recovery from ankle surgery continues.

“He’s doing rehab, he’s one of these guys, top athletes, who recovers quite quickly so he’s making quick strides and we’ll see how he is come January.

“The target was the end of January from the physios and medical team, so it’s whether we can fast-track that enough to get him back in time.

“We’ll see if Santy delivers a nice Christmas for us.”

Still, if not, their delivery from Galway is turning out to be a bit of an asset.

KILMACUD CROKES: C Ferris; M Mullin, T Clancy, D O’Brien; A Jones (0-1), R O’Carroll (0-1), A McGowan; C Dias, B Shovlin; S Horan, S Walsh (0-9, five frees, one 45), C O’Connor (0-1); H Kenny, S Cunningham (1-0), D Mullin.

Subs: T Fox for Horan (42 mins); P Purcell for Cunningham (45); C O’Shea for O’Connor (51); J Kenny for H Kenny (59, blood sub); L Ward for D Mullin (59).

THE DOWNS: T Martin; E Burke, P Murray, D Egerton; C Coughlan, M Kelly, J Moran; C Drumm, N Mitchell (0-1, free); I Martin, C Nolan, J Lynam; A Kilmartin, L Loughlin (0-3, one free), K O’Sullivan.

Subs: O Murphy for Kelly (25 mins); D Egerton (0-1) for Kilmartin (36); T Tuite (0-2, one free) for O’Sullivan (47); L Moran for Martin (55); H Caulfield (0-1) for Lynam (60).

Referee: M Deegan (Laois).