Classy Na Fianna too strong for Sarsfields in club hurling final

Four years after contesting their first ever Dublin SHC final, and just two since actually winning one, Na Fianna have claimed club hurling's ultimate prize.

An All-Ireland title might have seemed fanciful only a few years ago but Niall O Ceallachain's slick side cantered to this historic Croke Park win, effectively wrapping it up by half-time.

Tom Brennan's two-goal haul will be forever remembered at the northside club but Man of the Match AJ Murphy also weighed in with five points from play.

Free-taker Colin Currie impressed too, in front of a Brian Ryan inspired midfield, as did the entire defence which was superbly marshalled by former Dublin star Liam Rushe.

Na Fianna's footballers famously came up short in an All-Ireland final way back in 2000 but their hurlers have now gone one better.

The gulf in quality was surprising and, in truth, the nine-point winning margin was probably the least Na Fianna could have won by with by a 14-point lead at one stage in the second-half.

Boss Ó Ceallacháin will immediately shift his focus now to Dublin duty with the new county manager set to return to Croke Park next Saturday for a National League opener against Antrim.

A huge crowd of Na Fianna supporters made the 20-minute or so walk together from their Mobhi Road base with Garda outriders facilitating the blue and yellow parade.

It was almost as if the procession continued when the ball was thrown in because Na Fianna marched confidently to a huge 12-point half-time lead.

They were narrow favourites to win but Sarsfields had bounced back superbly after losing the Cork final to Imokilly, notably knocking out many people's All-Ireland favourites Ballygunner in Munster.

But Johnny Crowley's side were as good as beaten with 20 minutes on the