Darragh O’Connell sets sights on Leinster Club SHC glory

Cuala’s Darragh O’Connell is hoping he can play his part in making history when the Dalkey side face Wexford’s Oulart-The Balagh in Dr Cullen Park, Carlow in this Sunday’s AIB Leinster Club SHC final (2.0).

Kerry-native Darragh’s transfer to Cuala, he has been resident in Stillorgan since 2010, helped propel Mattie Kenny’s men to their first Dublin SHC title in 21 years when they defeated St Jude’s in the Dublin decider.

Following that they took the notable scalp of Kilkenny champions, Clara, en route to Sunday’s provincial decider.

“It’s been good. I certainly didn’t think, this time last year, I’d be sitting here talking about a Leinster club final,” says Darragh.

“When I transferred to Cuala, my sole aim was to make their 15 for championship.

“Then Ger Cunningham (Dublin senior manager) gave me a call around the end of April, beginning of May,” adds the pacey midfielder.

“They’ve (Cuala) been waiting 21 years to win a county title and to go on and win a Leinster... only one Dublin club has ever achieved that going back to ‘79 in Crumlin so it’s a long time with one Leinster championship.”