McCrabbe targeting league final appearance with Dubs

Dublin Senior hurler Alan McCrabbe is targeting an appearance in next Spring's Allianz National Hurling League final as a realistic opportunity for his side.

McCrabbe captured Dublin's first hurling All-Star since 1990 this Autumn and feels that the Metropolitans have to build on the progress made under Anthony Daly in reaching the Leinster SHC Final and coming fourth in the league this year.

"Our target next year will probably be to get to a league final. We want to make progress from this year and we want to be playing in finals," he said on the All-Stars Tour in Buenos Aires.

The Craobh Chiarain clubman added: "We want to move along, there's no point in saying that we just want to hang on in the league. We have to push on and we want to be playing in league and Leinster finals."

McCrabbe feels that it will be harder to make inroads next year, because the surprise factor which Dublin held is now gone.

"There'll be a bit of pressure on us in 2010 after making a bit of progress this year. It will be different, but if you want to go anywhere you have to put a bit of pressure on yourself," he said.

"We have to go on and just try to beat everyone we can."

"The surprise element is gone now. I think teams will be expecting us to be playing well next year, but it is great for ourselves to be thinking that as well."