Clash of titans in SHC ‘A’ decider

It's a clash of the titans in this Sunday's Dublin SHC 'A' final at Parnell Park (4.30) when heavyweights, holders Cuala and Ballyboden St Enda's, collide.

Both teams are giants of the modern game in the capital and have dominated the roll of honour (New Ireland Assurance Cup) for almost the last decade and a half.

The southside rivals have both won the top-flight SHC on seven occasions with Boden finally making their breakthrough in 2007 after losing deciders in the years prior to that to Craobh Chiaráin (in 2006 and 2001) and UCD (2004).

The Firhouse Road club's most recent success came in 2018 but suffered a heavy defeat to Kilmacud Crokes (4-18 to 0-16) in Group 2 as they launched their campaign this year.

However, they've showcased all their quality and big-game experience since then to earn their place in Sunday's final - secured with their semi-final victory over Na Fianna.

“We’re back in a final. It’s job done. I remember at one stage Dalo (Anthony Daly) saying to me, ‘There’s no good way to win a semi-final, you just have to win it’. And we’ve done that," said Boden manager Joe Fortune after his side's victory over the St Mobhi Road outfit.

Reflecting on their opening day reversal at the hands of Crokes the St Enda's manager added: "People saw where we were at that stage. We put a lot of work in over the last six-eight weeks – a lot of work into our backs, and a lot of work basically into the general team.

“On day one very little gave us a chance of getting back there again. But look at the task we have now. It doesn’t get any easier (after overcoming Na Fianna) - Willie Maher has Cuala flying."

Reigning champions Cuala are searching for a fifth Dublin SHC title in six years and like Sunday's opponents suffered defeat along the way when losing their Group 4 clash against Na Fianna (3-23 to 2-20).

The Dalkey men battled their way to victory in a tough semi-final against Lucan Sarsfields (1-17 to 0-13) - when outscoring their opponents 1-6 to 0-1 in the concluding ten minutes.

Afterwards their manager Willie Maher said: "The Dublin championship is very strong and we’re delighted to get the win.

“Lucan hurled very well and they were very, very tough and won a lot of ruck ball and it brought out the best in our lads in the end. It’s about winning matches and that was what we did.

“And we spoke about that before the game; the importance of hurling to the Cuala community, not being able to go to matches. We’re just delighted to get the victory for those people.”

The Dublin SHC 'B' final between Cuala and Nh Fionnbarra takes places also on Sunday at the Donnycarney venue (2.0).

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ROLL OF HONOUR: Dublin SHC (New Ireland Assurance Cup)
Faughs 31 1892, 1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1906, 1910, 1911, 1914, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1930, 1936, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1950, 1952, 1970, 1973, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1999
St Vincent’s 13 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1993
Commercials 9 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1916
UCD 8 1934, 1947, 1948, 1961, 1968, 2000, 2004, 2005
O'Toole’s 8 1969, 1977, 1984, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002
Ballyboden St Enda's 7 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018
Cuala 7 1989, 1991, 1994, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
Kilmacud Crokes 6 1966 (as Crokes club), 1974, 1976, 1985, 2012, 2014
Garda 6 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931
Young Irelands 6 1932, 1937, 1942, 1943, 1949, 1965
Craobh Chiaráin 5 1971, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006
Kickhams 4 1889, 1890, 1908, 1924
Rapparees 3 1891, 1894, 1912
Collegians 3 1917, 1918, 1919
Army Metro 3 1933, 1935, 1938
New Irelands 2 1958, 1959
Crumlin 2 1978, 1979
Metropolitans 1 1887
Davitts 1 1893
Thomas Davis 1 1913
Eoghan Ruadh 1 1951
St Columba's 1 1956
Junior Board Selection 1 1963
St Brendan’s 1 1980
Erin's Isle 1 1983