Cuala 1-14 Ardee St Mary’s 2-10

Luke Keating’s late heroics secured Cuala’s first-ever AIB Leinster club SFC title, marking a historic moment for the Dalkey club as the first in Dublin to win both Leinster senior football and hurling championships.

Keating’s stoppage-time free sealed a dramatic victory over Ardee at Croke Park. Cuala dominated early, leading by nine points in the first half, with Con O’Callaghan pivotal in attack, contributing two points and assisting a 15th-minute goal by Conor O’Brien. However, Ardee mounted a spirited comeback, scoring two goals in the final quarter to level the match three times. Substitute Ryan Rooney and Sean Callaghan delivered the crucial goals for Ardee, but they never managed to take the lead.

In the end, it was Keating, a 35-year-old veteran, who delivered the decisive point after a free won by Michael Fitzsimons. Cuala now advance to the All-Ireland semi-finals, continuing their impressive journey.

Scorers for Cuala: Conor O’Brien 1-1, Luke Keating 0-3 (2fs), Con O’Callaghan 0-4 (2fs), Niall O’Callaghan 0-2, Michael Fitzsimons 0-1, Eoin Kennedy 0-1, Charlie McMorrow 0-1, Cal Doran 0-1.

Scorers for Ardee St Mary’s: Ryan Rooney 1-2, Sean Callaghan 1-0 Ciaran Keenan 0-3 (3fs), Jonathan Commins 0-2 (1f), Tiernan Markey 0-1 (f), Tadhg McDonnell 0-1, Daire McConnon 0-1.

Cuala: Ryan Scollard; Danny Conroy, Charlie McMorrow, Eoghan O’Callaghan; Eoin Kennedy, Michael Fitzsimons, David O’Dowd; Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Peter Duffy; Niall O’Callaghan, Cal Doran, Cillian Dunne; Luke Keating, Con O’Callaghan, Conor O’Brien.

Subs: Cathal O Giollain for Dunne 37, Michael Conroy for Danny Conroy 43, Conor Groarke for O’Brien 43, Shane Mangan for O’Dowd 57.

Ardee St Mary’s: Tiernan Markey; Tadhg McDonnell, Karl Faulkner, Eimhin Keenan; Jonathan Commins, Donal McKenny, Paraic McKenny; RJ Callaghan, Sean Callaghan; Ciaran Keenan, Liam Jackson, Kian Moran; Shane Matthews, Daire McConnon, Tom Jackson.

Subs: Ronan Carroll for Matthews 43, Ryan Rooney for Moran 43, Carl Gillespie for Commins 53, Robert Leavy for RJ Callaghan 58.

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois).