The county final rolls around this weekend, and it feels like the months are flying by. Once again, it all comes down to one big day in Parnell Park. Let’s look at how both sides got here.
Lucan are back in their first county final since 2013, and they’ve earned it.
They finished second in their group on 4-1 with a points difference of +34. Paul Crummey has been scoring well, young Keher looks the kind of lively forward Lucan have been crying out for to support Ben Coffey and Colm Walsh keeps chipping in with scores from midfield. Their defence has been rock solid all season.
Lucan met a resurgent St Brigid’s and came through comfortably, 2-22 to 1-16, more than most expected.
Scorers – Lucan:
P Crummey 1-3, C Keher 0-5 (1f), S Harkness 0-4 (3f), B Coffey (1f) and C Walsh 0-3 each, D Mulqueen 1-0, others 0-1 apiece.
Lucan started brilliantly against Ballyboden, playing some lovely attacking hurling. At one stage they led by 13 or 14 points before Boden clawed their way back into it. Lucan got a bit sloppy for a spell, but to their credit they steadied themselves and finished strongly to win 1-21 to 1-17.
B Coffey led the scoring with 1-11, and the likes of Crummey, Keher and Mulqueen all chipped in. Keher continues to look a real threat, Mulqueen wins serious ball, and Coffey’s work rate never dips. From one to nine, Lucan are as solid as anyone in the county.
Scorers – Lucan:
B Coffey 1-11 (1-0 pen, 0-8f), P Crummey, C Keher, D Mulqueen 0-2 each, others 0-1 apiece.
Lucan are building ... but now they face the All-Ireland champions.
Na Fianna are chasing their third title in a row. Reigning county, Leinster and All-Ireland champions, and finalists every year since 2021, they are the standard bearers right now.
They breezed through at 5-0 with a points difference of +60, rotating players freely.
This was a war. Cuala came in flying after beating Crokes and pushed the champions to the brink. Na Fianna lost a few key players to knocks, and Colin Currie struggled on frees, but they dug deep. Donal Burke led the fight, Sean Currie grabbed a vital goal and they somehow forced extra time. Once there, their class told. Currie rediscovered his range, AJ Murphy clipped over a few, and they just had that bit more in the legs. It was survival more than style, but that’s what great teams do.
Scorers – Na Fianna:
C Currie 0-13 (10f, 1 ’65), D Burke 1-4, J Meagher 0-5, S Currie 1-2, B Ryan and AJ Murphy 0-4 each.
Sean Currie was immense again.
If the Cuala game took everything out of them, you wouldn’t have known it. Against old rivals Crokes, they were ruthless. The first half was cagey, but after the break Na Fianna took over. AJ Murphy was sharp, Donal Burke slick, and Colin Currie punished every foul. Crokes never got a foothold and were chasing shadows by the end. It was as complete a second half as they’ve produced all year.
Scorers – Na Fianna:
C Currie 0-10 (8f), AJ Murphy 1-3, D Burke 0-5, B Ryan 1-1.
Na Fianna look balanced, confident and battle-hardened again. They’ve answered every question so far.
To me that looks a very strong Na Fianna 15 and bench, not just in terms of hurling but experience and physical conditioning as well. Lucan look really good from 1-9 and have some good established forwards but, for me, their forwards aren't as established at Seinor level as their oppositon today and for that reason i can see them struggling to keep the scores ticking over with the same rate as Na Fianna - and thats not a slight on Lucan, Na Fianna are all Ireland Champsions for a reason.
Na Fianna have had the tougher road back to the final. That extra-time battle with Cuala was a serious test, but they came through it stronger. They look physically powerful, have pace everywhere, and the return of Michael Murphy from long-term injury has added even more depth. Jack Meagher as a relivitve newcomer continues to impress.
Lucan are building something very good. They’ve developed well from recent underage successes over some very strong Crokes teams, and there’s steel all over the pitch. They’ll defend well and battle hard, but they might struggle to match Na Fianna’s scoring rate.
If Lucan can grab a goal or two and keep winning primary ball up front, it could be a great final. But Na Fianna look like a special team right at their peak.
Verdict: Na Fianna by five or six.
Tickets must be bought in advance:
https://www.universe.com/events/go-ahead-senior-1-hurling-championship-final-2025-tickets-X4WJZ1
Lucan's last appearance in the SHC1 final was in 2013 v Ballyboden - a few guys who lined out that day are still playing, one or two who i thought didnt come on the scene until much later
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