Na Fianna 1-18 Ballymun Kickhams 1-17
Two minutes into the second-half, when Ballymun Kickhams struck a goal to open up an 11-point lead, the Dublin SFC semi-final line-up appeared to have been finalised.
Holders Cuala, Kilmacud Crokes and Ballyboden St Enda's had already won their respective quarter-final ties and 2020 champions Ballymun, with a 1-13 to 0-5 lead at that stage, looked all set to join them.
They couldn't push on for a last-four spot though and a remarkable Na Fianna comeback, capped by James Doran's 62nd minute match-winning point, secured the Mobhi Road men a glamour outing against in-form Crokes in a fortnight. This evening's semi-final draw also pitted Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland holders Cuala against Ballyboden.
Truth be told, those who took in all four Dublin SFC quarter-final ties at Parnell Park over the weekend were starved of intrigue and drama until the final game when northside neighbours Ballymun and Na Fianna clashed.
And it was a Clare man who ultimately tipped the balance in 2022 finalists Na Fianna's favour with new recruit Keelan Sexton making a huge impact from the bench with 1-04 overall.
Sexton, who quit the Clare senior team last summer and works in Dublin, drilled two vital two-pointers and a goal from a penalty which was won by another super sub, Conor McHugh.
Dual star McHugh, a four-time All-Ireland SFC medallist with Dublin, played with the county hurlers this season and contested an All-Ireland semi-final.
He came on with 20 minutes of this encounter to go and won the penalty with a driving run five minutes later before also playing in former Dublin forward Ciaran Reddin for his fourth point of a fine game.
Ballymun will wonder quite how things turned so sour for them.
They'd reeled off eight points without response in the second quarter of the game to lead 0-13 to 0-5 at half-time.
Former Dublin star, and new county selector, Dean Rock was responsible for seven of those Ballymun points in the first half with the placed ball expert converted three two-point frees.
Nine-time All-Ireland winner James McCarthy struck a point too and when Ballymun netted two minutes after the restart through Cathal Tighe, they looked virtually home and hosed with a 1-13 to 0-5 lead.
Referee Sean McCarthy had to check for a possible square ball infringement on the goal as Tighe flicked in from close range after Paddy Small's point attempt dropped short.
But the green flag was raised and 2020 champions Kickhams looked poised for a last four spot.
It was all downhill from there though with powerful centre-back John Small crumpling in agony with a shoulder injury at one stage and somehow playing out the remainder of the game.
Na Fianna grabbed a vital second-half foothold at midfield and spent much of the half in Ballymun territory, winning long-range placed balls that goalkeeper David O'Hanlon converted in the 38th and 39th minutes.
Sexton then took centre stage, nailing a two-pointer to ignite the comeback, converting the penalty and then thumping his chest in triumph after drilling over the 57th minute two-pointer that tied the game up at 1-17 apiece.
Ballymun were under serious pressure throughout the half and were grateful for a Paddy Small two-pointer in the 50th minute that kept them just about in it.
They had a couple of chances to take the lead at the death but John Small and Dean Robertson were unable to convert while Doran, at the other end, made no mistake when he cut through the centre of Ballymun's defence and slotted the 62nd minute winner for Na Fianna.
Daire Sweeney was the Ballyboden star with eight points in their win over a cautious Castleknock side who had former Westmeath boss Jack Cooney in their setup.
Castleknock were 1-03 to 0-05 up at half-time but couldn't pull off the shock result they craved with Cein Darcy and Ryan Basquel supplying the other scores for 'Boden.
Na Fianna: David O'Hanlon (0-03, 1 tpf, 1 45); Oscar Donohoe, Jonny Cooper, Fiachra Potts; Eoin Murchan, Adam Rafter, Niall McGovern; James Doran (0-01), Killian Deeley; Conor Early (0-02), Brian O'Leary (0-03), David Quinn; David Lacey (0-01, 0-01f), Ciaran Reddin (0-04), Sean Caffrey.
Subs: Keelan Sexton (1-04, 2 tp) for Lacey 15, Vinny Flynn for Deeley 36, Conor McHugh for Caffrey 42, Darragh Kennedy for Donohoe 45, Diarmuid Clerkin for Reddin 58.
Ballymun Kickhams: Evan Comerford; Eoin Dolan, Darragh Conlon, Eamon Hill; Jamie Grant, John Small, David Leonard (0-02); James McCarthy (0-01), Cameron McCormack; Cathal Tighe (1-00), Carl Keeley (0-02), Brian Ashton; Paddy Small (0-02, tp), Dean Rock (0-08, 3tpf, 0-01f), Dillon Keating (0-02).
Subs: Robbie Bolger for Keating 37, Aaron Elliot for McCormack 47, Alan Hubbard for Grant 47, Leon Young for Dolan 53.
Referee: Sean McCarthy (St Vincent's)
Elsewhere in Donegal, Gweedore will face St Michael's and Four Masters take on Naomh Conaill in the semi-finals.
Gweedore edged Kilcar 016 to 1-10 while St Michaels impressed when accounting for Seán MacCumhaills in Saturday's quarter-finals.
This afternoon Four Master eliminated last year's finalists Dungloe 0-20 to 0-10 and Naomh Conaill had a point to spare over Termon.
In Kildare, it's a 12th consecutive semi-final on the trot for Celbridge after they accounted for Moorefield 3-19 to 1-16.
They will face defending champions Naas in the semis, the clubs met in the last two finals, with the latter getting the better of Clane by 1-22 to 0-13 on Saturday evening.
Athy, after defeating Caragh 3-07 to 0-10, will face Sarsfields, who overcame Johnstownbridge 2-21 to 2-17.
Shamrock Gaels are through to a first Sligo SFC final in 31 years following a 2-15 to 1-14 win over St Mary's. The Riverstown outfit will now face hat-trick seeking Coolera-Strandhill in the decider on 12 October, this after last season's All-Ireland semi-finalists saw off Drumcliffe/Rosses Point 3-15 to 1-13.
In neighbouring Roscommon, Padraig Pearses booked their last-four spot with a 1-23 to 1-18 win over Boyle after extra-time. Also through are Clann na nGael following a comprehensive 0-16 to 1-08 defeat of Elphin.
Ballina Stephenites, chasing a Mayo three-in-a-row, ran out 1-14 to 2-07 victors against Ballaghaderreen to advance to the semis.
Westport came back from a nine-point deficit to defeat Breaffy 2-16 to 1-16 to secure their spot in the penultimate stage.
Hurling
In Clare, Cloney-Quinn edged Ballyea by two points - 4-15 to 2-19 - to reach the county final, where they will face Éire Óg, Inis, who defeated Kilmaley 1-14 to 1-12.
Defending champions Imokilly have been eliminated in Cork, with St Finbarr's winning their quarter-final clash 3-16 to 1-12. Next up for the Barrs is a date with Sarsfields, who saw off Charleville 0-22 to 1-15.
The other semi-final sees Blackrock up against a Midleton side which battled back to edge Glen Rovers 2019 to 2-17 on Friday evening.
