Craobh Chiarain are dominant

The Dublin senior hurling championship final at Parnell Park bore irony in large measure in that Craobh Chiarain's two goals, scored by burly full forward Kevin O'Donoghue, were at the expense of the best defender on the pitch in veteran full back Denis Murphy.

Another stroke of good fortune for the deserving winners was the late call-up of Stephen McDonnell, who proved the inspiring figure in the winners' attack.

Crumlin's fate looked sealed in the first half as could manage only three pointed frees from Pat Leahy. Their lightweight attack seldom promised a great deal against a physically stronger Chiarain's rearguard.

It was an occasion of high celebration for 36year-old Murty Ryan and 32-year-old prison officer Kieran Hertherton, who managed to scrape the ultimate county award in probably their last chance. A reshuffled Crumlin attack continued to be inept. True, David Eustace hit a 39th minute goal that led to a threatening revival for the southsiders. But the manner in which they scored their final point eight minutes later that narrowed the gap to three tended to highlight Crumlin's attacking weaknesses. Despite sustained pressure, the score was finally taken by corner back Eamon Kelly. Chiarain's led by 0-6 to 0-3 at half-time. Connie Ring following in the footsteps of his father, Tommy, who had won two county championship medals with Kilmacud Crokes, opened Chiarain's second half scoring with a 65 just as he had done in the first half.

McDonald's initial probe led to O'Donoghue's first goal in the 32nd minute and Ring off a free established a 1-8 to 0-3 advantage within four minutes of the restart. O'Donoghue off a Derek Finn centre crashed home the winners second goal two minutes from time.

Craomh Chiarain: G Ryan, S Keely, A O'Toole, C McGuirk, M Ryan, D Finn, S Carlton, C Ring (0-4), D Shanley, S McDonnell (0-3), C Hetherton (0-2), D Wyse, G Ennis (0-1), K O'Donoghue (2-1), R Farrelly. Subs: J McGuirk for Shanley 50 mins, M McGuckian for C McGuirk 58 mins.

Crumlin: C Gill, E Kelly (0-1), D Murphy, S Donnelly, D Church, J Murphy, J Cullen, N Purtell, S Martin, P Leahy (0-4 frees), P Kearns, R Elliott, D Donnelly, M Curran (0-1), D Eustace (1-0). Sub: P Elliott for Eustace 45 mins.

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).