FLASHBACK: Dublin v Antrim- Allianz Hurling League 2008

Picture Courtesy Sportsfile

By Conor Martin 

A new era begins for Dublin's hurlers this weekend. 

Niall Ó Ceallacháin takes the reins of our senior hurlers against Antrim at Croke Park this Saturday, as our 2025 Allianz Hurling League campaign begins. 

In the past, opening our league account against the Ulster side has seen us start with a win. Conor Martin looks back on Dublin’s 0-22 to 0-15 win at Parnell Park in 2008. 

Stuart Mullen was a late replacement in the Dublin starting 15 for Alan McCrabbe and proved his worth, top-scoring with (0-12, 0-8f, 2 '65). 

Tommy Naughton’s charges dominated proceedings thanks to Mullen hitting the ground running from the first whistle and by the 13th minute the Dubs had a lead of six. 

Indeed by the 28th minute the Boys in Blue were still in control of the game, thanks to the efforts of Joey Boland, Kevin Flynn, Mullen and David O’Callaghan. 

Liam Watson & Paddy McGill kept the Saffrons in the contest as they trailed by five at half-time.

Pushing on from their fine first-half performance, the Dubs would only increase their lead thanks to Mullen and Declan Qualter. Still, Antrim’s bid to get something from the game remained a possibility as Liam Watson and Neil McManus added to the Antrim tally. At the other end, O’Callaghan was denied a goal by Ryan McGarry in the Antrim net.

As well as looking dangerous in attack, Dublin looked solid at the back. Goalkeeper Gary Maguire pulled off a fine save from McManus before corner-back Phillip Brennan was able to block Cormac Donnelly’s effort not once but twice. Brennan’s fellow defenders Stephen Hiney and Tomas Brady were also key to Dublin taking maximum points. 

Dublin: G Maguire; P Brennan, S Hiney, P Bergin; M Carton, T Brady, K Ryan; J McCaffery, S Mullen (0-12, 0-08f, 2 '65'); J Boland (0-01), D Qualter (0-02), K Flynn (0-01); D O'Callaghan (0-03), P O'Driscoll (0-01), R O'Carroll (0-02).

Subs used: S Lambert for K Ryan (28 mins), P Ryan for Flynn (51).

Antrim: R McGarry; A Graffin, N McGarry, S Delargy; C Herron, K McKeegan, K Elliott; N McManus (0-02), E McCloskey (0-01); M Magill, L Watson (0-09, 0-5f, 2 '65'), P McGill (0-02); K Stewart, C Donnelly, S McCrory (0-02).

Subs used: M McCambridge for Elliott, D McNaughton for McGill (both half-time), M Kettle for Herron (50 mins), D Hamill for McCloskey (51).

Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)