THERE is hope for Dublin hurling when seen in this light. Perfect playing conditions at, Parnell Park for the county final on Saturday encouraged fast, open play for the 3,000 crowd and O'Toole's fully deserved to beat Kilmacud Crokes and retain the title.

Jamsie `Shiner' Brennan's value to the game in Dublin was again underlined. The former Kilkenny will-o'-the-wisp is playing senior hurling for 10 years, but had to wait until this game to win his first senior county medal.

He celebrated the occasion with an industrious display of intelligence and drive from the middle of the field and crowned the best individual display on view with six points, four from placed balls.

"The standard in Dublin club hurling is high," he said afterwards. "Kilmacud Crokes were difficult to beat. I rate this medal more important than any, I won in club hurling at home.

O'Toole's, with higher levels of determination and greater emphasis on the importance of getting to the ball first, had a temporary lapse of concentration in the opening minute of the second half. This let Mick Kinsella in for an equalising goal and three minutes later, allowed Kilmacud corner forward Martin O Donail in for an easier goal which put his team two points in front.

Brennan promptly got O'Toole's back level with two excellently struck placed balls, the second off a 65. Two startling saves by Conor Cantwell, in addition to his earlier efforts from John Kearns and Brennan, clearly enabled Crokes to escape more serious trouble.

All things considered, not least their 11 wides, against six for Crokes, O'Toole's could have won by more.