Preview: Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship Relegation Play-Off

Fri, 27th September 2024

By Conor Martin

It’s survival Saturday in the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship as four clubs battle it out for the right to play Senior 1 hurling next year.

Cuala finished second bottom in Group 1 picking up a draw against Lucan Sarsfields and a 1-28 to 0-13 win over St Brigids. Con O’Callaghan has been in fine form this championship, while Liam Murphy was outstanding in the men from Dalkey’s only win of the group campaign as he scored 1-9 and those of a Cula persuasion will be hoping he can repeat that this Saturday.

Their opponents St Judes picked up just a point from Group 2 which came against Craobh Chiaráin, who are also fighting for their Senior 1 lives against St Brigids in the other relegation play-off game.

Judes have had a tough welcome back to Senior 1 hurling after promotion last year, but Gerry Carty can rely on several players to ensure they don’t go back down this year. Joe McManus and John Carty have proved themselves useful this Championship, but the Templeogue club can also turn to Ciaran Mangan, Ciaran McLoughlin and Kevin Lahiff for winning inspiration.

Craobh Chiaráin are another club with just a point with their name to show for their Group 2 effort. As previously mentioned, that draw came against St Judes.

After winning the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship in 2023, the Clonshaugh club have struggled at times with the tempo of top-flight hurling. But at times this Championship, the likes of Billy Ryan and Cian Derwin have come to their club's rescue and will do all they can to prevent an instant return to Senior 2 hurling.

St Brigids have had a Championship to forget, losing every group stage game with an overall points difference of -70.

Having won the relegation play-off in 2022 & 2023, Paddy McAvine’s men need to find a way to pull off the great escape for the third row on the trot. Donnacha Ryan and Andrew Dunphy bring a spark to the Navan Road men panel, but they know Saturday will be a tough test.