Na Fianna 3-16 Kilmacud Crokes 2-18
Na Fianna retained their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior Hurling Championship title when overcoming 2021 and 2022 winners Kilmacud Crokes by the slimmest of margins at Parnell Park.
It would have been optimistic to expect another absorbing encounter based on their recent rivalry but the teams delivered on that front once again as Ciarán Stacey poked home in the dying seconds from close range after Paul O'Dea had followed up on a Jonno Tracey free.
Kilmacud were far sharper initially and it was of scant surprise that they pounced for the opening goal in the 14th minute through David Purcell only for Conor McHugh’s goal at the opposite end to help trim Na Fianna’s deficit to 1-14 to 1-09 by the break.
Na Fianna have defended their Dublin SHC crown in the most dramatic of circumstances at Parnell Park
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) October 26, 2024
Ciaran Stacey the hero for the Mobhi Road men #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/lByF52auQo
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.
Points from Conal Ó Riain and captain Fergal Whitely saw them overtake their opponents by the 3rd minute and they pulled further ahead through scores from Ronan Hayes and Oisin O’Rorke.
The procession towards the Na Fianna goal continued unabated with both Hayes and O’Rorke doubling their tallies and a Dara Purcell score in the 9th minute stretched their lead to six points.
A Colin Currie point soon after helped settle the holders and they began to finally trouble Crokes at the back, as reflected in scores by late addition Jack Meagher and AJ Murphy.
However, after trimming their arrears to three points by the 13th minute, Na Fianna suffered a massive blow as Purcell gained possession down the right flank and he showed great strength and composure to whistle a shot beyond Jonno Tracey 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 when clear on goal.
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.
Oisin O'Rorke flips the game once more with a sublime finish for Kilmacud's second goal
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) October 26, 2024
Watch: https://t.co/ZfZ9mA9XTY #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/W0CUNjeEYs
Trailing by five points at the break, Na Fianna took little time in addressing those arrears and they pulled to within a solitary point by the 36th minute as Dónal Burke converted a penalty having been hauled down close to goal.
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 that 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 the Glasnevin outfit.
Na Fianna: J Tracey; S Burke, C McHugh (1-00), K Burke; P O’Dea (0-02), L Rushe, P Feeney; B Ryan (0-02), S Currie (0-01); J Meagher (0-02), C Currie (0-07, 0-04f, 0-01 ’65), C Stacey (1-00); AJ Murphy (0-01), D Burke (1-00, 1-00 pen), G King (0-01, 0-01 sideline). 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 (0-02), Dara Purcell (0-02); F Whitely (0-01), O O’Rorke (1-07, 0-04f), C Conway; David Purcell (1-00), R Hayes (0-02), C Ó Riain (0-04). Subs: P Linehan for Mac Gabhann (34), M Roche for Conway (45).
Referee: Seán Stack (Parnell’s).
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