Oh Danny Boy, we love you so…

The news that Danny Sutcliffe has retired from the intercounty scene was greeted with sadness by Dublin hurling supporters, but the wonderful memories from his career will sustain them for many a long day.

The St Judes man served Dublin hurling at minor and U21 level before making his senior debut as a substitute against Limerick in a notable 2011 All Ireland quarter final win.  

During the National Hurling League in 2012 Danny established himself as a regular in the team, scoring in every round, including a 2-03 haul against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. 

His second full year in the team was a famous one for Dublin hurling.  A Division 1B League title meant the team approached the Championship with some confidence.  

Danny’s Leinster semi-final goal against Kilkenny proved the difference between the sides in a memorable replay win in Portlaoise.  

This victory was followed up with an historic 2013 Leinster title when in July the Dubs put Galway to the sword in Croke Park to lift the Bob O Keeffe Cup after a 52 year gap

Dublin manager Anthony Daly clearly saw the potential in Danny and spoke fondly of the young man he introduced to intercounty hurling.  

“He was a leader at a very young age, absolutely fearless and one the best hurlers in the country for a decade or more.” 

A brave display against Cork in the All Ireland semi-final saw Dublin come up just short but Danny’s class was there for all to see with a four point haul.

A richly deserved All Star later that year saw Danny cement himself as one of the greats of Dublin hurling.  

Unfortunately a second Leinster title eluded him and the Dublin hurlers as we were thwarted by the Cats in the finals of 2014, 2021 and 2024.

Further recognition of his standing in Dublin hurling came in 2020 when Mattie Kenny made Danny his captain, an honour he also enjoyed the following season. 

Dublin’s captain of the historic 2013 team, Johnny McCaffrey, was well aware of the impact of the young Sutcliffe on that team, and on many teams after.  

“Danny had great potential when he left minor and he lived up to all that and more. He had all the skill and athleticism to be one of the best inter county hurlers of his generation and that he was. He goes down as one of the best Dublin hurlers that there ever has been. A Legend.”

While Danny is celebrated for his hurling exploits in the capital he was also a member of the 2009 Dublin minor football panel that won a Leinster Championship.

On the club front, Danny inspired St Judes to two consecutive Dublin senior hurling finals in 2014 and 2015.  

Unfortunately for the Templeogue outfit they lost out to Kilmacud Crokes in their maiden appearance after extra time. Then in 2015 they lost to a Cuala team that would ultimately go on to land consecutive All Ireland club titles.

Current Dublin hurling manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin also acknowledged a huge contribution to the game in the capital, “Danny’s been a huge servant to Dublin hurling. His experience and depth of hurling knowledge is almost second to none. It was great to have him around the team. A leader on and off the pitch, he’ll be missed.”

So as he hangs up the boots – and his hurley – Danny, more than anyone, will be aware of the growth and resurgence of hurling in the city.  

And he can be absolutely certain that many of the lads in our emerging talent pool picked up a hurley because they wanted to be the next Danny Sutcliffe. That is the greatest legacy of all.  

Go raibh maith agat Danny.