Na Fianna defeat Kilmacud Crokes at the death to retain Dublin SHC title

Na Fianna 3-16 Kilmacud Crokes 2-18

Na Fianna retained their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior Hurling Championship title when overcoming 2021 and 2022 winners Kilmacud Crokes by the slimmest of margins at Parnell Park.

It would have been optimistic to expect another absorbing encounter based on their recent rivalry but the teams delivered on that front once again as Ciarán Stacey poked home in the dying seconds from close range after Paul O'Dea had followed up on a Jonno Tracey free.

Kilmacud were far sharper initially and it was of scant surprise that they pounced for the opening goal in the 14th minute through David Purcell only for Conor McHugh’s goal at the opposite end to help trim Na Fianna’s deficit to 1-14 to 1-09 by the break.

Na Fianna have defended their Dublin SHC crown in the most dramatic of circumstances at Parnell Park

Ciaran Stacey the hero for the Mobhi Road men #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/lByF52auQo

Despite falling behind to a sumptuous sideline ball from Gavin King in the opening minute, it was Crokes that dominated the early exchanges, backed as they were by a strong breeze blowing towards the golf course end.

Points from Conal Ó Riain and captain Fergal Whitely saw them overtake their opponents by the 3rd minute and they pulled further ahead through scores from Ronan Hayes and Oisin O’Rorke.

The procession towards the Na Fianna goal continued unabated with both Hayes and O’Rorke doubling their tallies and a Dara Purcell score in the 9th minute stretched their lead to six points.

A Colin Currie point soon after helped settle the holders and they began to finally trouble Crokes at the back, as reflected in scores by late addition Jack Meagher and AJ Murphy.

However, after trimming their arrears to three points by