The Daily Star Ireland
Na Fianna created history as they captured their first-ever All-Ireland hurling title, only two years from when they picked up their first Dublin Senior Hurling Championship under the same captain, Niall Ó Ceallacháin. In truth, it was an outstanding display from the Dublin representatives as they ran out deserved winners at Croke Park in a dominant display that was all but decided by the half-time break.
Tom Brennan’s two goals will go down in the club’s annals, while Man of the Match AJ Murphy chipped in with five points from play. Colin Currie was in great form as the free-taker, with Brian Ryan dominant at midfield and a tight, impermeable defence marshaled by former Dublin star Liam Rushe. This win represents a milestone for the northside club, even eclipsing their footballers’ All-Ireland final appearance in 2000.
The nine-point margin of victory in Na Fianna’s win over Sarsfields could and probably should have been much better, given its 14-point lead at a stage in the second half. The Na Fianna supporters put on a large attendance at the contest, parading from their base in Mobhi Road to Croke Park in holiday style. When the on-field action was underway, there was little disputing that this was a superior streak of hurling from Na Fianna as it ended the first half, 1-16 to 0-07 up.
Sarsfields, reputedly made of stern stuff, never got into their stride. Their magnificent journey to this decider, including their defeat of Ballygunner in Munster, appeared to have intimidated them. Their main forward, Jack O’Connor, missed two scoreable chances in the first half and, while he was more to the fore after the break, couldn’t influence the outcome. Sarsfields only managed two points from open play in the first half with their marquee players unable to match Na Fianna’s energy and precision.
Tom Brennan opened the scoring in the 20th minute, set up by the excellent Jack Meagher, who really shone in the midfield role. Na Fianna could have had more goals in the first half, with Sean Currie, AJ Murphy and Brennan again going close. Captain Donal Burke and Brian Ryan were also on target throughout as Na Fianna continued to pull away.
Sarsfields staged a brief third-quarter recovery, with Aaron Myers landing several frees to emerge as their chief marksman with ten points. But Brennan’s second goal in the 42nd minute, laid on by Ciarán Stacey, pushed Na Fianna 14 points ahead and ended any doubt about the outcome. Ryan’s long-range point in the 50th minute typified their victory.
But late points from O’Connor, Daniel Kearney and Bryan Murphy were never going to be enough for Sarsfields, who didn’t have the goals to mount a serious comeback.
Na Fianna Lineup and Scorers
- Jonathan Tracey; Kevin Burke, Conor McHugh, Sean Burke; Paul O’Dea (0-01), Liam Rushe, Peter Feeney; Jack Meagher (0-01), Brian Ryan (0-03); Sean Currie (0-01), Donal Burke (0-03, 0-01f), Ciarán Stacey (0-02); AJ Murphy (0-05), Tom Brennan (2-01), Colin Currie (0-06, 0-05f, 0-01 65).
- Subs: Diarmuid Clerkin for Ryan (53), Gavin King for Brennan (56), Donal Ryan for O’Dea (58), Shane Barrett for AJ Murphy (61), Sean Ryan for Meagher (62).
Sarsfields Lineup and Scorers
- Ben Graham; Cillian Roche, Paul Leopold, Conor O’Sullivan; Bryan Murphy (0-01), Eoghan Murphy, Luke Elliott; Colm McCarthy, Cathal McCarthy; Daniel Kearney (0-03, 0-01 65), Daniel Hogan (0-01), Cian Darcy; Aaron Myers (0-10, 0-08f), Jack O’Connor (0-05), James Sweeney.**
- Subs: Shane O’Regan for Darcy (HT), Craig Leahy for Elliott (HT), Liam Healy for Colm McCarthy (40), Cillian Murphy for Eoghan Murphy (46), Eoghan O’Sullivan for Sweeney (51).
Referee
Liam Gordon (Galway).
