Kilmacud Crokes also had their big day – the AIB All-Ireland Ladies’ Football Senior Championship semi-final against Castleisland Desmonds.
People waited at the bus stops in their Ireland jerseys on their way to Lansdowne Road.
The 46A is doing a fond farewell tour along the dual carriageway. The Bagatelle bus is hanging up its bell in January.
No more summer in Dublin. When Liam Reilly “jumped on a bus to Dún Laoghaire”.
Many were also on their way to Páirc de Búrca. Tickets had sold quicker than a Charlie Nelligan Christmas brack.
The previous night, Kilmacud honoured their Dublin Senior Hurling Championship-winning teams of 1974 and 1976.
Among them was Mick Bermingham, Dublin’s first All-Star.
Dominic Leech was in the audience for the Crokes-Castleisland clash. He’s a top musician. He has played with many popular groups.
He was applauding the rendition of the National Anthem from Cillian Sheridan.
The sound system was good enough for Carnegie Hall. The announcement was made that teas, coffees and pastries were available.
The hosts had put in many hours getting the stage ready. There is no place like home, and that added so much to the charm of the occasion.
The terrace was packed. Spectators also lined the barriers around the pitch.
It was a bright, mild afternoon. Light drops of rain fell but quickly vanished, like tickets for the Toy Show.
RTÉ’s Jacqui Hurley was running in with the water bottles to her Crokes colleagues.
The fixture was being live-streamed. There was full match commentary on Radio Kerry.
Castleisland were twice All-Ireland champions back in the 1980s. In all the days of the Kerry dancers.
The squads went through an extensive warm-up. On the back of the programme was the message: ‘Club champions are made one drill at a time.’
All over the country, the votes were coming in. But, up in Stillorgan Central, only one result mattered – Kilmacud 5-11, Castleisland 1-5.
Kilmacud Crokes’ captain Emer Sweeney, with her grandad Mike and dad John. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
“That scoreline somewhat flattered us,” said Crokes’ boss, Paddy O’Donoghue.
“There was very little between the sides in the first half. We had chances, and they had chances.
“At half-time, we asked the players to show more belief. To take the game on, and they certainly did that.
“Niamh Cotter’s penalty was important. It gave us a six-point cushion.
“We settled a bit more into our stride then, and we played some positive football. We took control at that stage.
“We were winning the breaks. We were getting on good ball, and we kept attacking.
“We are very pleased. It was an excellent display, especially so in the second half.
“I felt everybody worked so hard. Each player put in a tremendous effort.”
That was still to be seen in the dying embers when the outcome had long been woven in the turf.
Desmonds’ Cáit Lynch ventured forward from defence. Half-forward Cotter followed her every step of the way.
Lynch captained the Irish rugby team. She made a surging burst towards The Aviva at the start of the second half. It led to a point from Andrea Murphy.
Emmet Farrell is on the Crokes management. He’s Leinster Rugby’s kicking coach.
The Crokes’ forwards had put plenty of chalk on their cues.
On the final whistle, the children rushed on, getting their pictures and autographs.
Paul Griffin was also offering his congratulations. Griffin was the classical right half-back, a Rolls Royce of a footballer.
Crokes gave little away. The captain and full-back Emer Sweeney was so solid. She made a couple of brilliant catches.
From the Kerry dugout came the call: “Get it in around the house.”
But the home defence contained all the bricks and mortar of Glenalbyn House.
Now they will get ready to play in the biggest house of all – Croke Park on Saturday, December 14, in their first All-Ireland final against Kilkerrin Clonberne.
Playing into the cinema end, Crokes led at the break, 1-6 to 1-2. Desmonds were very much in the game before the interval.
They had plenty of possession. And they created a basket of opportunities.
Amy Conroy scored the first goal on nine minutes. A splendid catch from Aoife Kane began the swift move.
A minute later, Julia Curtin replied with a fine goal for the visitors.
Five minutes into the second period came the penalty. Cotter’s firm strike was low to the right corner.
Now even Caoimhín Keller, or Mick Pender, could have saved it.
Excellent play from Michelle Davoren on the right enabled Cotter to crack in Kilmacud’s third goal.
They were totally in charge now, with Michelle Davoren and Mia Jennings adding the custard and cream.
Just before the finish, the Desmonds’ full-back, Eilis Lynch, had a cracking shot that brought the save of the match from Dearbhla Gower.
Lynch’s strike was steaming for the roof of the net. Gower managed to deflect it over the bar.
It was a save that the great Charlie Nelligan would have been proud to put in his shop window.
Lynch’s approach summed up the attitude of Castleisland. They kept going with conviction until the last blow of Brendan Rice’s whistle.
Their manager, Dan Kearney, writes for The Kerryman. He could devote an entire column to the admirable attitude of his side.
Last season, Crokes lost the All-Ireland semi-final to Kilkerrin Clonberne after extra-time.
It was a Parnell Park classic. Now, an action replay to savour awaits.
As one happy Crokes’ supporter declared: “Another day to look forward to.”
And a big one at that.