Na Fianna Claim the 2025 Go-Ahead Ireland Senior 1 Hurling Title

Image Courtesy Paul Barrett

NA FIANNA 1-20 

LUCAN SARSFIELDS 0-22

Na Fianna secured their third successive Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship title as they overcame Lucan Sarsfields by a solitary in Parnell Park on Saturday evening. 

With extra-time looming, the holders launched one final attack and Colin Currie was on hand to find his brother Sean Currie, who calmly split the posts for the match-defining score. 

It was the All-Ireland champions that held a marginal 0-11 to 0-10 lead by the break with six of those scores coming through Colin Currie as Na Fianna struggled to ignite up front against a crisper Lucan outfit who impressed playing into the breeze. 

Lucan were the more assured team after the break despite conceding a penalty to Donal Burke and they looked destined for their first ever title as they nipped two points clear approaching injury time. 

However, Brian Ryan and Colin Currie replied to level events before Lucan’s hearts were broken at the death by Sean Currie.  

Much as they did in their semi-final win against Ballyboden St Enda’s, Lucan took little time in finding their feet as Charlier Keher opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. 

While Brian Ryan levelled matters soon after, Lucan were far more precise in their play as they moved two points clear through points in quick succession by the deep-lying Cathal Kennedy and Colm Walsh.   

Ben Coffey enhanced Sarsfields’ lead in the 7th minute before a brace of points at the opposite end from Colin Currie saw the holders finally settle into the fixture. 

Lucan’s general wellbeing was reflected in their first six scores coming from different sources as Donal Flannery and Paul Crummey opened their personal accounts but Ryan was on hand to fire over a quickfire brace to level matters by the 14th minute. 

Coffey was on hand to edge Lucan back in front by the end of the first quarter but that proved their final score for nine minutes as their opponents gradually began to avail of the strong wind at their backs. 

A trio of points by Colin Currie were augmented by scores by AJ Murphy and Paul O’Dea before Lucan got back on track courtesy of Keher’s second score and their first converted free of the game through Coffey. 

The challengers finished the half strongly with an inspirational point from Chris Crummey in injury time trimming their arrears to the bare minimum by the turnaround.

A Coffey free within a minute of the restart saw the teams back on level terms and the talented wing-forward added another placed ball to restore Lucan’s lead in the 34th minute. 

Currie may have chipped over his fifth free at the opposite end but the holders were playing second fiddle for the large part as they fell behind once again following scores by Keher and Paul Crummey. 

The opening goal was not long in coming as Donal Burke slotted home a penalty in the 39thminute after he was brought down close to goal when racing onto Sean Currie’s pass. 

The influential Keher clipped over a sublime point by way of riposte but the holders were beginning to show their greater experience as they edged two points clear by the end of the third quarter thanks to Murphy and Colin Currie.    

Lucan were in little mood to accept their perceived fate however as they reeled off the next three scores via Sean McClelland, Coffey and substitute Killian Costelloe to regain the lead by the 52nd minute. 

Two further frees from Coffey looked to have sealed the deal for Sarsfields but the fighting spirit and calmness under pressure that has been a feature of Na Fianna’s recent success ultimately saw them over the line, albeit somewhat fortuitously.       

Scorers – Na Fianna: C Currie 0-10 (7f); B Ryan 0-5; D Burke 1-0 (penalty); AJ Murphy 0-2; P O’Dea, S Currie, C McCarthy 0-1 apiece. Lucan Sarsfields: B Coffey 0-10 (7f, 1 ‘65’); C Keher 0-4; P Crummey 0-2; S McClelland (f), C Crummey, D Flannery, C Walsh, C Kennedy, K Costelloe 0-1 apiece. 

Na Fianna: J Tracey; D Clerkin, C McHugh, S Burke; P O’Dea, L Rushe, P Feeney; B Ryan, J Meagher; M Murphy, C Currie, S Currie; AJ Murphy, D Burke, T Brennan. Subs: J Kavanagh for Clerkin (45), C McCarthy for Brennan (52), L Stacey for Meagher (57), T Gleeson for Murphy (62).  

Lucan Sarsfields: S McClelland; M Pappalardo, P Rigney, J Bellew; J Behan, C Crummey, R Smith; C Walsh, L Garrigan; C Keher, D Flannery, B Coffey; D Mulqueen, P Crummey, C Kennedy. Subs: C Dowling for Mulqueen (43), K Costelloe for Garrigan (49), M Coogan for Flannery (53). 

Referee: Rory Hanley (St Brigid’s).