PREVIEW: Go-Ahead Senior 2 Hurling Final 2023- St Judes v Craobh Chiaráin

Fri, 3rd November 2023

By Conor Martin

St Judes v Craobh Chiaráin, Sunday 5th November 2023, Parnell Park, 2:30pm

St Judes and Craobh Chiaráin look to end 2023 on a high, as they contest the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Final at Parnell Park on Sunday.

Judes got their Championship campaign up and running with a three-point win over Thomas Davis before they beat Cabra’s Naomh Fionnbarra by 10 points in their second Group 2 fixture.

They would then go on to beat Kilmacud Crokes before finishing Group 2 with a draw against Ballyboden St Endas ahead of the quarter-finals.

Conor Nolan was key, as he scored 1-4 as the men in navy and sky blue progressed into the semi-finals despite a late rally from Castleknock.

The semi-finals saw Judes having to work for a place in the final as their last four fixture went to extra-time. Nolan was once again key for the Templeogue club scoring from his team’s first attack of the match. David O’Callaghan, Joe McManus, and in-form Danny Sutcliffe helped St Judes get over the line and record a 1-24 to 0-24 win over Naomh Barróg.

Craobh Chiaráin also showcased their credentials in Group 1, just like St Judes picked up three wins and a draw.

They started their Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 2 Hurling Championship with a win over Castleknock and followed up that solid display with a hard-fought draw against Naomh Barróg. They ended Group 1 with convincing wins over Ballinteer St Johns and Clontarf.

Thomas Davis would await Craobh Chiaráin in the quarter-finals. Billy Ryan would rattle the Davis net after 10 minutes, while Jimmy Finn would finish an excellent team move to give his side a useful lead at the break. They did well to hold off Thomas Davis, who had a mini revival in the second-half as Paul Key dug in and added scores as the Donnycarney club advanced.

Cian Derwin was clinical in front of the posts as he scored seven from open play before registering an impressive individual tally of 0-11 as Craobh booked a place in the final against Ballyboden St Endas with a comfortable 0-20 to 0-9 win.

With both teams securing an immediate return to the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship, expect both teams to leave it all out on the Parnell Park pitch as they look to put the icing on their 2023 Championship cake.