Slight glimmer of hope remains as Dublin hurlers fall short

GAELIC GAMES:IT SAYS a lot about the state of Dublin hurling these days that they came away from Semple Stadium bitterly disappointed to have lost to reigning National League champions Tipperary. But then it wasn't simply the two points they left behind – but the prospect of making a first league final since 1946 as well.

Despite another thoroughly spirited performance, the sort that manager Anthony Daly has fast turned into their trademark, Dublin went down 2-19 to 4-11, and with that, it would seem, disappeared the rare ol’ chance of contesting a national senior title. Not that it’s all over yet.

This disappointment was all the more grating by that fact that Dublin were two points up with under 20 minutes left to play, and still never looked out of contention until the end. Tipperary got over the line first not just because they wanted to but badly needed to.

Just a quick reminder that this is still the Dublin hurlers we’re talking about. The footballers had a different sort of battle on their hands yesterday; against relegation. Their 1-15 apiece draw with Kerry at Parnell Park lifted some of the pressure off that scenario, but considering they were six points up at a similarly crucial stage, the anxiety there remains.

For Daly, not even the sight of his team putting four goals past Tipperary – including a hat-trick from Cuala teenager David Treacy – could ease his frustration at the finish. He realised how near and yet so far Dublin were.

“Sure, we’re awful disappointed,” he said. “Jesus, I thought it was there for us. And it would have given us a great chance of getting to the league final. And that’s where this team needs to be, needs to go. So it will be a long old road home for us.

“But sure look, that’s the way it goes. I mean I only asked them at half-time to try to bring it to the edge. As close to being right there at the bitter end, and by God, we were. We could have had a free in there at the end. But the referee made a few funny ones on the day, I have to say. I thought we were entitled to a penalty early on, but sure, we’re all learning in this game. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

“But I’m awful proud of their honesty. But then they’re training like that. So I knew they wouldn’t give in at half-time. But we’re being realistic as well. It’s still only the league, at the end of March. The game we have to win is Antrim on June 7th. This is great experience for them though.”

Kilkenny’s 3-16 to 1-9 win over Clare at Ennis leaves them top of division one, jointly with Tipperary, but Dublin still have a chance if they can beat Daly’s old haunts, Clare, next Sunday – and then see how they fare against Kilkenny the last day.

At least there’s still something to play for in hurling’s top division. Division one of the football is virtually decided, at least at the top end, as Kerry and Galway remain on course to meet in next month’s final – despite the fact they both failed to secure maximum points yesterday. But Derry still have an outside chance of reaching the final.

Kerry, however, were happy enough to draw with Dublin at Parnell Park, as the hard questions instead went to Dublin manager Pat Gilroy.

“We probably should have won the game but ran out of steam a bit in the last 10 minutes,” said Gilroy. “It was disappointing to give away the goal as we had defended those high balls very well all day. We’re very happy with the way we played; the lads worked very hard.

“It went very well. When Ross McConnell went off we struggled after that. It was hard to win the ball and that caught us in the last 10 minutes. I thought they gave us a great platform for 45 minutes. He played very well but that’s what he’s been doing all through the All-Ireland club and what we were hoping he’d do for us.

“We’re nearly there. Having the lads back from Kilmacud helps us to start putting a proper shape on it. It’s going to be difficult to pick a championship team, which is a good thing but what I think is important is that the guys are getting the way we want to play. The way we want to play we’re probably going to have to play 21 guys or 20 guys – depending what the rules are in the summer.”

Galway also make it through despite losing to Mayo, 1-11 to 0-13, while Westmeath are definitely on the way down to division two after falling again to Donegal.