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Cuala hoping to earn membership for elite back-to-back club

mark schutte cuala v mellows semi 18.jpg
Wed, 14 March 2018

Champions of the last two years, Cuala and Na Piarsaigh, meet in Saturday's All-Ireland Club SHC final in Croke Park (3.45) in what promises to be a top-class contest.

Holders Cuala, Dublin's sole All-Ireland club SHC champions, will be attempting to join a very elite group of back-to-back winners of the Tommy Moore Cup.

That feat was last achieved by Galway's Portumna in 2008-2009 and only three other clubs have reached that milestone in their history - Birr (Offaly) 2002-2003, Athenry (Galway) 2000-2001 and Sarsfields (Galway) 1993-1994.

Both of St Patrick's Day finalists have impressed en route to their Croke Park encounter with Limerick's Na Piarsaigh overcoming Blackrock (Cork) and Ballygunner (Waterford) in the Munster Championship before eventually defeating Slaughtneil (Derry) in their All-Ireland semi-final despite being reduced to 13 men.

Since emerging as Dublin champions again Cuala have beaten Dicksboro (Kilkenny), St Martin’s (Wexford), Kilcormac-Killoughey (Offaly) and Liam Mellows (Galway).

The Dalkey men have tallied 7-77 in that quartet of wins at an average of 24.5 points per game.

Thirteen players have contributed to that tally with David Treacy leading the way with 0-32, with all bar four of those points coming from placed balls.

Their defence has been equally impressive, conceding just 2-51 at an average of just over 14 points and they are expected to welcome team captain Paul Schutte back from injury for Saturday's duel.

Former Dublin minor and U21 hurling manager, Joe Fortune, is expecting a battle royale between these two hurling heavyweights.

“I don’t think there is any question that they are the two best teams in the country and what both teams possess in abundance is experience," says Joe.

“Some relatively new teams have been involved in the final in recent years and perhaps their inexperience showed in their performances but that’s not the case for the weekend.

“Both teams will be very well prepared and a large number of their respective panels are involved with the Limerick and Dublin senior panels so the occasion shouldn’t get to them that much.

“Having won the title for the first time as recently as they have, both teams will be determined to re-affirm their dominance and it’s very hard to separate the teams in terms of the talents that they have.

“One of the hardest things to achieve in hurling is to win back-to-back championships and Cuala have to prove both to themselves and the rest of the country that they possess the hunger to get over the line on Saturday.

“They are mentally very strong and their recent successes have only made them stronger in that aspect of the game.

“Their mentality has always been to focus on the next immediate challenge and not look too far ahead and that ethos has served them well."

ALL-IRELAND CLUB SHC: Roll of Honour

Ballyhale Shamrocks (6): 1981, 1984, 1990, 2007, 2010, 2015

Birr (4): 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003

Portumna (4): 2006, 2008, 2009, 2014

Athenry (3): 1997, 2000, 2001

James Stephens (3): 1976, 1982, 2005

Blackrock (3): 1972, 1974, 1979

St Finbarr’s (2): 1975, 1978

Sarsfields (2): 1993, 1994

Glen Rovers (2): 1973, 1977

Loughgiel Shamrocks (2): 1983, 2012

Castlegar (1): 1980

Buffer’s Alley (1): 1989

St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield (1): 1999

Clarinbridge (1): 2011

Newtownshandrum (1): 2004

Roscrea (1): 1971

St Martin’s (1): 1985

Kilruane McDonagh’s (1): 1986

Borris-Ileigh (1): 1987

Midleton (1): 1988

Glenmore (1): 1991

Kiltormer (1): 1992

Sixmilebridge (1): 1996

St Thomas’ (1): 2013

Na Piarsaigh (1): 2016

Cuala (1): 2017