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Erin’s Isle confirmed a lengthy return to the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship when getting the better of Raheny by 2-14 to 1-12 in their SHC2 promotion play-off at St Anne’s Park on Saturday afternoon.
Both sides were given a second bite of the cherry as a result of the second team from Ballyboden St Enda’s advancing to the decider and it was the Finglas outfit that availed of this opportunity with goals in the first-half from Conor Donohoe and Nathan Fitzgerald setting them on the road to victory.
For Raheny, it was a tough defeat to take on the back of their narrow semi-final loss to eventual winners Faughs with the absence through injury of Liam Dunne a blow from which they never truly recovered.
However, their youthful squad will benefit hugely from their run to the knockout stages and their defence impressed throughout with Ben McHugh, Jack Fagan and Brian Dunne all shining in their duties.
Fagan was particularly influential as he scored four points from centre-back while Thomas Hurley kept the Raheny scoreboard ticking over with seven points from placed balls.
However, his contribution and 1-1 from substitute Adam McAweeney proved insufficient against a dominant Erin’s Isle with Donohoe showing all his qualities with a personal tally of 1-4.
Further down the field, both Daragh Gorman and Ed King were especially resolute at the back and when the hosts did make inroads close to goal, Adam Langan was on hand to repel them with a number of excellent saves.
Elsewhere, Jamie Perry, Conor Berrigan and Robyn Fitzpatrick kept the visitors on the front foot with solid displays while substitute Cian O’Hara made a positive impact when introduced from the bench in addition to scoring a vital point.
The victory will have particular resonance for Erin’s Isle manager Paddy Peters, who was part of the team that last played top-flight championship hurling as far back as 2004.