Hurling Division 1B round-up: Leinster opener more important than league final says Dublin boss

Elsewhere Wexford's big 3-29 to 1-14 win over Kildare didn't yield promotion but was a significant statement ahead of the teams' rematch in the Leinster SHC on April 18, in Kildare.

EYES ON LEINSTER: Dublin Manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin says Leinster opener is more significant than league final. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott

Niall Ó Ceallacháin says the opportunity to win a rare piece of national silverware with Dublin is significant but still not as important as their Leinster SHC opener with Offaly.

Last season's All-Ireland semi-finalists had 15 different scorers as they roared to a 14-point, 0-34 to 2-14 win over Carlow, locking down second position in the Division 1B table.

There was briefly drama at half time when Carlow, who had just reeled off two rapid-fire goals - both were beauties too, from Marty Kavanagh and Chris Nolan - cut the deficit to three points.

With momentum on their side at that stage, and Down beating Antrim in Newry, Carlow were suddenly on the cusp of a great escape.

But while Down duly beat Antrim in Newry, Carlow couldn't follow through at Netwatch Cullen Park and were quickly overwhelmed after the restart by Dublin's precise passing and powerful running game.

Even Wexford's fourth win of the campaign, at the expense of Kildare at Chadwicks Wexford Park, couldn't prevent Dublin securing promotion along with table toppers Clare.

Dublin and Wexford finished deadlocked on nine points and having drawn when they met, it came down to Dublin's superior scoring average, +73 compared to Wexford's +31, to separate them.

Aside from promotion for Dublin, there is also a Division 1B final on April 4/5 though boss Ó Ceallacháin said their primary focus remains the Leinster SHC opener away to Offaly a fortnight later.

"It's all about four weeks' time," said Ó Ceallacháin.

"We have Offaly away in Tullamore, first round of the Leinster championship, and that's an absolutely massive, massive game. There'll be lots of challenge games happening in the next couple of weeks but there is no substitute for us for that League final.

"You're going for a national title for sure but as regards being right for four weeks' time, against Offaly, it can play a key part in that so we're very pleased to be in the league final."

Slipping up to Offaly at Croke Park in last year's league cost Dublin promotion in 2025. They will reflect on captain Chris Crummey's 75th minute point, which secured a draw against Wexford in last month's Croke Park tie, as the promotion-clinching moment of this year's campaign.

"It's different for different teams," said Ó Ceallacháin on the value of going up.

"I think for this team, it's really important. It's an important step for this group as regards where we're actually going. We fell short last year in 1B. So it's definitely something we wanted to do this year, to take that further step and go up to 1A.

"And we still have a League final in front of us. There's not many finals that we've been in in the last eight or 10 years so we'll certainly be going after that as well."

John Hetherton was a strong performer for Dublin again at full forward, using his aerial ability to set up several scores and also displaying a neat ground game to pick off four points.

Fergal Whitely and sub Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing struck 0-4 each too while subs weighed in with 0-9 between them.

Kyle Foley was Carlow's best player, the goalkeeper pulling off four excellent saves on his first start of the campaign. Carlow, who will play Laois in the Joe McDonagh Cup on April 18, brought on Jake Nolan for his debut and he scored in his first play.

Wexford's big 3-29 to 1-14 win over Kildare didn't yield promotion but was a significant statement ahead of the teams' rematch in the Leinster SHC on April 18, in Kildare.

Jack Redmond led the demolition with 3-3 though it wasn't until the second half, when he scored two of his goals, that the hosts turned the screw.

They led 1-10 to 0-8 at half time but hit an unanswered 1-3 after the restart to more than double their advantage and effectively seal victory.

Conor Hearne supplied the ammo for Redmond's second goal and Cian Byrne provided the assist for the third after 53 minutes.

Donal Hughes' late goal secured a 3-22 to 3-20 win for Down over Davy Fitzgerald's Antrim though Down still suffered relegation, along with Carlow.

Down, Antrim and Carlow all finished tied on two points at the bottom but Antrim's superior scoring difference, -29 compared to Carlow's -49 and Down's -78, kept the Saffrons up.

Down and Antrim will meet again in their Joe McDonagh Cup opener on April 18.

Shea Pucci fired two first-half goals for Down who led by five points at half time but they still had to conjure that late Hughes goal to see off an Antrim side inspired by two-goal Ruairí Donaghy.