Dublin SHC Final Ring on form for Craobh Chiarain

Craobh Chiaráin atoned for defeat in last year's Dublin senior hurling final, at Parnell Park on Saturday

Craobh Chiaráin atoned for defeat in last year's Dublin senior hurling final, at Parnell Park on Saturday. They were in devastating form as they cantered to their fourth county crown. For St Brigid's, in their first final, inexperience showed.

St Brigid's got off to an ideal start when Robbie Byrne pointed after 30 seconds and when a Patrick McAvinue free found the target it looked like hopes of a unique football and hurling double were a possibility.

Yet Chiaráin's had too much firepower, particularly the dead-ball accuracy of veteran Connie Ring. In the opening half Ring landed six points from placed balls to leave it 0-9 to 0-3 at the break. The Chiaráin's centre forward finished with nine points in total.

Any chance of a revival was discarded in the opening minutes of the second half when Dublin player Ger Ennis landed three points in succession. Dave Kirwan then stretched the lead to 11 points with a goal.

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St Brigid's corner forward Conor Ryan scored a goal after 35 minutes to give his side a glimmer of hope but Alan McCrabbe struck Chiaráin's second goal. The third then arrived via Ennis. Seán Duignan and substitute Brendan McInerney reduced arrears with two late goals before the finish.

CRAOBH CHIARÁIN: G Ryan; S Keeley, F Kelly, D Shanley; D O'Reilly, D Wyse, K Elliott; S McDonnell (0-1), J McGuirk; A Breathnach, C Ring (0-9, 8 frees, 65), K O'Donoghue (0-1); G Ennis (1-3), D Kirwan (1-1), A McCrabbe (1-0). Replacements: T Smith for A Breathnach (60 mins), G Moriarty for A McCabe (62 mins), C Hetherton for D Kirwan (63 mins).

ST BRIGID'S: W Bourke; A Collins, J Boyle, T Phelan; D O'Mahony, B O'Sullivan, S McMahon (0-1); M Galvin, P Keane; R Byrne (0-1), D Owens (0-1), P McAvinue (0-2, 2 frees); S Callinan, D Duignan (1-0), C Ryan (1-1). Replacements: B McInerney (1-0) for D Owens (5 mins-8 mins), B McInerney for McAvinue (36 mins), S O'Sullivan for P Keane (46 mins).

Referee: A MacSuibhne (St Jude's).