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Christy O'Connor's Talking Points: A ground stroke in hurling is often the deadliest strike

And even if it isn’t, the ‘keeper – as Brennan was on Saturday – is often helpless to make the save

GROUNDBREAKER: Ronan Hayes of Kilmacud Crokes celebrates a score. Pic: James Lawlor/Inpho

Mon, 26 Oct, 2026 - 05:04

Christy O’Connor

Cuala goalkeeper Seán Brennan never even moved. He couldn’t because he was helpless once Kilmacud Crokes’ Ronan Hayes made a perfect connection with the sliotar off the deck just inside the 13-metre line in Saturday evening’s Dublin senior hurling final.

“An old-fashioned ground stroke,” said Pauric Lodge in his RTÉ TV commentary. It was, but it was the perfect decision, especially when Hayes was coming onto the ball at pace and, particularly when there were four Cuala defenders closing in on the play either side of Hayes.

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