Oisin O'Rorke: Kilmacud Crokes fully believe they can end Ballyhale Shamrocks' run

There was a time, not so long ago, that Dublin clubs were feared in Leinster.

Well, maybe it's fairer to say one club was feared in Leinster. But it's now five years since Cuala claimed their second - and Dublin's third - senior provincial club hurling title.

That exceptional side from Dalkey not only did back-to-back Leinsters, but they also added All-Ireland crowns to their impressive CV. In both of those seasons Cuala also saw off competition from Kilkenny - O'Loughlin Gaels in 2016, and Dicksboro the following year.

"What they did was an insane achievement - not only winning the first time but to back it up and win it the second time," says Kilmacud Crokes forward Oisin O'Rorke.

"I was in school with the likes of Cian O'Callaghan and we see lads you're friends with competing at that level and winning, it shows you that there's paths there for you if you get your structures in place. They're a massive inspiration and they've laid the path for Dublin teams."

Since then though, clubs from the capital have struggled.

Ballyboden reached the provincial decider in 2018, but were well beaten by Ballyhale Shamrocks. Cuala rebounded to win Dublin in 2019, but they fell at the first provincial hurdle to St. Mullin's, who were eventually beaten by Ballyhale in the final.

Covid wiped out 2020, while last year it was Kilmacud Crokes' turn to venture into their neighbouring counties in search of the O'Neill Cup, but they were thwarted by Clough–Ballacolla at the semi-final stage, whose final opponents were once again Ballyhale, and once again it was the Kilkenny side who triumphed.

If it wasn't for the pandemic, it'd be hard to argue against this Sunday's final being a chance for Ballyhale to be going for their fifth Leinster in a row,