By Conor Martin
It’s time for the final round of the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship group stage this weekend, with places in the knockout stages still up for grabs.
In Group 1, Lucan Sarsfields take on defending champions Na Fianna at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.
Both teams are still unbeaten and have already secured their places in the knockout stages.
But it’s the club from Glasnevin who sit top on five points going into the final group stage game.
Lucan will leapfrog Na Fianna if they win this Saturday and have plenty of firepower to get them racking up scores.
Ben Coffey was more than useful with six scores against Kilmacud Crokes the last time out, while Ciarán Dowling and Charlie Keher rescued a draw last time out for Lucan. They can be dangerous this weekend.
Na Fianna have looked good value so far in this year’s championship as they look to retain their senior hurling title.
After having a break in the last round, they will look to find their form from the first three games. Dónal Burke has proven he is over his lengthy injury by finding form, while Colin Currie is another quality option Na Fianna can turn to. The mission for Na Fianna this weekend is simple; win, and they’re straight into the semi-finals and a step closer to a second successive title.
St Brigids will be looking to avoid a complete whitewash of results when they take on Kilmacud Crokes this weekend. They have lost every game this Championship and won’t want to end their group stage without a point to their name. St Brigids & Cuala cannot qualify for the knockout stages & are already confined to relegation playoffs in two weeks time.
Jonathan McGuirk is one of St Brigid’s brightest sparks, while the inter-county experience of the likes of goalkeeper Alan Nolan and defender Andrew Dunphy could prove crucial over the coming weeks.
Oisin O’Rorke was on form for Kilmacud Crokes in their game against Lucan Sarsfields. Kilmacud will be advancing to the knockout stages regardless of this weekend’s result but have a chance of a top spot finish and a place directly in the semi-finals rather than quarter-finals depending on the result of the Lucan Sarsfields and Na Fianna game.
St Vincents have already guaranteed top spot in Group 2, ahead of their bye round this weekend, while Ballyboden St Endas have already secured their quarter final place. But Boden will be aiming for a confidence-boosting win against Craobh Chiaráin this Saturday, as they gear up for the last six.
Cillian Kirwin was on the goalscorers sheet in their win against Whitehall Colmcille and will be one of Boden’s danger men this weekend. Donnycarney’s Craobh Chiaráin, on the other hand, will be looking to end their group stage campaign with a first win and know victory could see them into the quarter finals, depending on the result of the group’s other game.
Whitehall Colmcille go into their game with St Judes knowing a draw would be enough to see them safely into the quarter-finals.
Enda O’Donnell, the lively Jamie Raftery and Paddy Spellacy can all ensure Whitehall avoid any slips in the final round of group stage action.
St Judes, meanwhile, know a win against Whitehall could see them advance to the last 6, depending on what happens in the group’s other game.
John Carty and Joe McManus can help Gerry Carty’s Judes pull of a big performance this weekend to keep their Championship ambitions alive.
Cuala receive a bye this week and thanks to results before this weekend’s action, they can’t qualify for the knockout stage. On the other hand, in Group 2, St Vincents get to enjoy a deserved break after already winning Group 2 and have a spot in the semi-finals secured.
