PREVIEW: Dublin v Clare Allianz League Division 1B Final

Image Courtesy Shay Hogan

Dublin will hope to put the finishing touches to an encouraging campaign when they meet Clare in next Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick (1.45). 

Of course, their main ambition of returning to NHL1A has been achieved following their comfortable victory against Carlow last Saturday week and Sunday’s clash should act as great preparation for the start of the Leinster Championship on April 18th, when Dublin visit O’Connor Park, Tullamore to tackle Offaly. 

Clare finished top of the NHL1B table, registering six wins from six that included a narrow 3-18 to 1-22 victory over the Dubs in Round 1 at Cusack Park. 

Dublin were more than competitive on that occasion with only a late Tony Kelly goal sealing their fate and Sunday’s meeting should be similarly tight particularly given Dublin’s more settled look in recent weeks.

Both Conor McHugh and Paddy Doyle have been re-integrated into Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s defence in recent rounds with their presence giving the back-line a more familiar feel. 

Further up the field, the likes of Fergal Whitely and John Hetherton have added greater scoring threat to the Dublin attack that has amassed 14-157 in their six group matches, conceding 7-99 in the process. 

Both feature prominently in Dublin’s top scorers with Donál Burke leading the way with a personal tally of 1-48, 1-40 of which coming from placed balls. 

Hetherton’s ability to find the net is reflected in his tally of 4-8 while Kilmacud Crokes clubmates Dara Purcell and Whitely have accrued 1-14 apiece. 

In total, twenty-five players have contributed on the scoreboard with Dublin’s remaining green flags coming courtesy of Cian O’Sullivan, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing, Brian Hayes, Ronan Hayes (2), Chris Crummey and Paddy Dunleavy. 

Dublin scorers in NHL1B 2026: Dónal Burke 1-48 (1-1 pen, 0-34f, 0-5 ’65); John Hetherton 4-8; Dara Purcell 1-14; Fergal Whitely 1-14; Cian O’Sullivan 1-10 (0-1f); Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing 1-8 (0-3f); Brian Hayes 1-7; Ronan Hayes 2-2; Chris Crummey 1-5; Darragh Power 0-8; Conor Donohoe 0-5; Conor Burke 0-5; David Keogh 0-4; Paddy Dunleavy 1-0; Brendan Kenny 0-3; Conal Ó Riain 0-2; Paddy Doyle 0-2; Andy Dunphy 0-2; James Madden 0-2; Conor Groarke 0-2; Paddy Smyth 0-2; Cathal Kennedy 0-1; John Bellew 0-1; Eoghan O’Donnell 0-1, Seán Gallagher 0-1.  

Sunday’s final will act as the curtain-raiser to the eagerly anticipated Division 1 decider between Limerick and Cork (4.00) and both matches will be televised live on TG4.