Shane Walsh-inspired comeback falls short as Glen make All-Ireland club football final

GLEN 1-14, KILMACUD CROKES 2-10

Shane Walsh came agonising close to completing a stunning comeback for Kilmacud Crokes, but was left ruing a late wide as Glen held the day.

The Galway sharpshooter scored a long-range goal for Crokes, the Dublin and Leinster champions, but was wide with a free kick, in the dying embers, that would have levelled matters.

Glen were cruising at half-time – 0-9 to 0-4 up at Páirc Esler – in a match played under a blanket of heavy fog. Glen’s Michael Warnock, who was named Man of the Match, told TG4:

“At one stage, I heard Shane Walsh saying ‘Where the hell’s the ball at?’ And the two of us were looking for it.”

Lán Ama#CRÓCVGLEN

"It's a bit emotional aswel because of everything that happened last year"

Is é Michael Warnock Laoch na himeartha inniu!

Comhghairdeas leat Michael 👍👌

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV @GAA_BEO #GAA #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/cC65kiIFDx

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 7, 2024

After 40 minutes, Kilmacud were searching for inspiration, just like fans in attendance and those watching on TV were searching for a clearer picture of what exactly was going on. The Ulster champs were 0-12 to 0-5 ahead but a 1-4 burst, in the space of 15 minutes, saw matters levelled.

Walsh produced a sublime pass [better appreciated when you wait for the replay] to set up Hugh Walsh for the equalising goal:

Ridiculous pass from Shane Walshpic.twitter.com/ctGOBmXQXS

— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) January 7, 2024

Glen the deserving winners, just about

Glen edged a point ahead after that equalising goal. Conor Glass then set up Ethan Doherty to bag a goal for the Derry side.

Shane Walsh had a long-range punt that Glen goalkeeper Connlan Bradley made a hash of. That left the Dublin side a point back but Walsh dragged a late chance to equalise wide.

Robbie Brennan, the Kilmacud manager, was very sporting after the game, admitting that while the conditions were ‘unplayable,’ that they wouldn’t be using it as an excuse and that Glen ‘deserved their win’. “We probably had a 12 minute spell where we played some way to our potential,” he admitted. “It would have been a bit of steal if we nicked it.”