Thu, 23rd January 2025
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County News
County News
By Conor Martin
Dublin’s hurlers begin life under new manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin this Saturday, when they start their Allianz League campaign against Antrim at Croke Park (throw-in 5.15pm).
The restructuring of the hurling leagues this year sees Dublin take their place in 1B for 2025.
The top two teams in Division 1B will be promoted to Division 1A for the 2026 season and will play a league final to determine the league's winners.
Dublin will be looking to improve and build on their league performances from last year, in which they won two of their five games- against Antrim and Westmeath.
Cian O’Sullivan led the scorers list for the Boys in Blue in Corrigan Park last February, nabbing a late goal to ensure Dublin came away with a 1-point victory.
The sides also met in the Leinster Championship last year, with Dublin coming out on top again, thanks to goals from Paul Crummey, Dónal Burke and Brian Hayes.
Ó Ceallacháin has been eyeing his options during pre-season, so will be eager to get his reign underway this weekend.
He will know his Na Fianna charges well, having managed them to All-Ireland glory last weekend, while the likes of Chris Crummey, Conor Burke and O'Sullivan provide consistency and experience among their ranks.
The likes of Brian Hayes & John Bellew will also be looking to continue their excellent form from 2024.
Diarmaid Ó Dulaing, meanwhile, had an excellent season at U20 level last year and impressed when given the chance with the Dublin seniors given his ability to find scores and his work rate. He and new additions to our senior panel will be hoping to start 2025 in the best possible way.
Antrim also have a new man at the helm; Davy Fitzgerald has taken on the role and will be hoping to build on the work done by Darren Gleeson in Belfast in recent years to improve the fortunes of the Glensmen.
The likes of James McNaughton, Keelan Molloy and Eoghan Campbell will be looking to cause Dublin problems as they bid to get their 2025 campaign off to a winning start.
Back the boys this Saturday as a new era of Dublin hurling begins!
Dublin v Antrim last five Allianz Hurling League meetings:
● 11th February 2024, Corrigan Park, Belfast, Antrim 1-19 (22) - 1-20 (23) Dublin
● 12th February 2023, Parnell Park, Dublin, Dublin 0-28 - 2-19 (25) Antrim
● 11th February 2022, Corrigan Park, Belfast, Antrim 2-15 (21) - 2-19 (25) Dublin
● 22nd May 2021, Parnell Park, Dublin, Dublin 1-26 (29) - 1-18 (21) Antrim
● 4th February 2018, Corrigan Park, Belfast, Antrim 0-22 (22) - 0-23 (23) Dublin
You can buy tickets for Saturday’s game here.
