65 years in waiting as Dubs target silverware

FOR the first time since 1946, the Dublin senior hurlers will grace the Division 1 final day of the hurling league after they clung on to defeat Cork by 1-15 to 1-14 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

On a dramatic day of the final round of league games, Dublin boss Anthony Daly was indebted to his former Clare teammate Davy Fitzgerald after he steered Waterford to a 1-17 to 1-16 win over Galway in Dungarvan.

That result scuppered Galway’s hopes of reaching the decider and ensured Dublin bridged a 65-year gap since their last appearance in a league showdown when they face Kilkenny on Sunday week.

“1946 is a long time so you can see what it means to the die-hards,” reflected Daly afterwards.

“They’ve been following us everywhere without success so I’m delighted for them. At the start of the league we set out with the short-term goal of making the league final. We’ll have to reassess that goal and try and win it.

Dublin reached the provincial decider two years ago and Daly said in the aftermath yesterday; “Hopefully that Leinster final experience might stand to us.”

The miracles were not just granted to the Dubs yesterday though.

An injury-time goal by substitute Willie Doran rescued a priceless draw for Wexford against Tipperary in Semple Stadium and, coupled with Offaly’s defeat against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, ensured the Model County retained their Division 1 status for next season. Joe Dooley’s Offaly charges now have to face into Division 2 hurling next spring.

“It would have been heart-breaking if we walked away from here after losing by a point after putting in the performances we did over the last couple of games,” stated Wexford boss Colm Bonnar.

“The prize (today) if we got something out of the game was to stay in Division 1. It was in our hands to do something and I think we wanted it a bit more in the end.

“I feel sorry for Offaly going down. They have developed strongly in Division 1 but it is a case where we have to look after our own show.”

Offaly’s place will be taken by either Limerick or Clare who contest the Division 2 final on Sunday week. That match will be the curtain-raiser to the clash between Dublin and Kilkenny in a double-header that is likely to take place in Semple Stadium.

Limerick had already assured themselves of a spot in the decider before their 12-point victory over Antrim in Loughiel yesterday while Clare joined them after thrashing Carlow by 32 points in Cusack Park.

In the lower divisions Wicklow claimed their second successive promotion when capturing the Division 3A crown against Derry, Roscommon won the all-Connacht Division 3B decider with Mayo while Tyrone lifted Division 4 silverware against South Down.