Corcoran: Club success vital for Dublin gains

Dublin hurler Niall Corcoran believes that success on the provincial or All-Ireland stage for a club team from the capital is required in order to bring Dublin hurling to the next level.

This year saw the Dublin senior hurlers reach the All-Ireland semi-final stage for the first time since 1948, but the foundation provided by strong clubs is key to any inter-county side and Corcoran says that Dublin hurling needs its club sides winning titles outside the county.

"The next step for Dublin hurling is to make an impact in the club Championships," said the Kilmacud Crokes clubman.

"The ones to look to at the moment are Ballyboden St. Enda's as they are so strong. They were beaten narrowly last year in the quarter-final of the Leinster club Championship and I suppose whoever gets through Dublin this year will be looking to make more of an impact on Leinster."

College side UCD were the last team from the capital to reach a Leinster decider, and contested three finals between 2000 to 2005. Prior to that, O'Toole's reached the final in 1996, losing out to Laois side Camross.

However, provincial senior club glory has not come to a club from the capital since Crumlin's success in 1979, when they beat Camross in the final.

Crumlin's win is the lone provincial title for a Dublin club side since the competition was established in 1970.

"Every year the club Championship (in Dublin) gets more competitive. You have more players coming through development squads and it just raises the bar," added Corcoran.

"I think it is very important to bring good quality players onto the inter-county scene, so we will be hoping this year that whoever gets through the Championship has a good run in Leinster."