Stacey strikes at death to retain Dublin title for Na Fianna

Na Fianna players celebrate with the cup after the Dublin County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Dublin SHC final: Na Fianna 3-16 Kilmacud Crokes 2-18

There was a thrilling conclusion to the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior Hurling Championship final as holders Na Fianna pipped Kilmacud Crokes at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

The sides have shared the previous three championships with Na Fianna picking up their first title last year while Kilmacud emerged victorious in both 2022 and 2023.

As a result, a strong rivalry has developed between the teams and it was left to Ciaran Stacey to settle the issue as he poked home from close range deep into added time to secure a second senior title for the Glasnevin outfit.

Kilmacud enjoyed a wind-assisted 1-14 to 1-9 lead at half-time with David Purcell’s goal in the 13th minute cancelled out by Conor McHugh’s effort a minute before the break.

Despite falling behind to a sumptuous sideline ball from Gavin King in the opening minute, it was Crokes that dominated the early exchanges, backed as they were by a strong breeze blowing towards the golf course end.

Kilmacud struck four points within three minutes through Conal Ó Riain, Fergal Whitely, Ronan Hayes and Oisín O’Rorke to seize control of matters and they continued to impress as Hayes and O’Rorke doubled their respective tallies.

A 9th minute point from Dara Purcell pushed Crokes six points clear but the holders gradually began to find their collective feet thanks to settling scores by Colin Currie and Jack Meagher.

Indeed, successive scores from Currie and AJ Murphy brought an improving Na Fianna to within three points but they suffered a massive body blow in the 13th minute.

There seemed little trouble as David Purcell gathered possession out by the sideline but the youngster showed admirable power and finesse as he cut inside before leaving Jonno Tracey helpless from ten yards.

Brian Hayes and Seán Currie exchanged points by the end of an absorbing opening quarter but Crokes continued to hold the upper hand as the lively Ó Riain landed a quickfire brace ten minutes before the break.

Both Meagher and fellow wing-forward Ciarán Stacey were causing havoc for the Kilmacud defence with their direct running with Murphy dragging wide from Stacey’s handpass.

However, another Stacey run yielded a positive return for Na Fianna in the 29th minute with dual player Conor McHugh joining the attack to telling effect, pulling home at the second attempt past an unsighted Eddie Gibbons.

Na Fianna took little time in reducing their arrears further as Brian Ryan popped over his customary score with O’Rorke replying at the opposite end for an increasingly insecure Crokes side.

Those deficiencies were evident in the 36th minute as Dónal Burke gathered possession all too easily and after been hauled down close to goal, Burke calmly sent Gibbons the wrong way from the resultant penalty.

With Colin Currie and Paul O’Dea tagging on points soon after, the sides were back on level terms by the 42nd minute with Kilmacud in dire need of some inspiration at this juncture.

It duly arrived through O’Rorke, who turned sharply past McHugh before unleashing a cracking shot that rippled the roof of Tracey’s net.

Points from O’Rorke and Ó Riain looked to have handed Crokes a sufficient lead entering added time but there was one last twist in the tale as Stacey popped up at the back post to complete an admirable comeback by Na FIanna.

Scorers for Na Fianna: C Currie 0-7 (4f, 1 ’65); C McHugh, C Stacey, D Burke (pen) 1-0 each; P O’Dea, B Ryan, J Meagher 0-2 each; S Currie, AJ Murphy, G King (sideline) 0-1 apiece.

Scorers for Kilmacud Crokes: O O’Rorke 1-7 (0-4f); C Ó Riain 0-4; David Purcell 1-0; B Hayes, Dara Purcell, R Hayes 0-2 each; F Whitely 0-1.

NA FIANNA: J Tracey; S Burke, C McHugh, K Burke; P O’Dea, L Rushe, P Feeney; B Ryan, S Currie; J Meagher, C Currie, C Stacey; AJ Murphy, D Burke, G King. 

Subs: J Kavanagh for King (41), D Clerkin for Ryan (51), S Barrett for Murphy (57).

KILMACUD CROKES: E Gibbons; B Kenny, B Sheehy, D Lucey; C Ó Cathasaigh, C Mac Gabhann, M Grogan; B Hayes, Dara Purcell; F Whitely, O O’Rorke, C Conway; David Purcell, R Hayes, C Ó Riain. 

Subs: P Linehan for Mac Gabhann (34), M Roche for Conway (45).

Referee: Seán Stack (Parnell’s).