Local stars Madden, Rushe, Sutcliffe and Crummey play their part for victorious Blues
By Daire Walsh
Danny Sutcliffe, Liam Rushe, Chris Crummey and James Madden were to the fore at Croke Park yesterday as Dublin defeated Galway on a score of 1-18 to 1-14 to reach their first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship final since 2014.
A late introduction to the team in place of Cuala’s Sean Moran, Ballyboden St Enda’s defender Madden took to the field of play under extremely difficult circumstances. His father Noel passed away during the week and was only laid to rest on Friday.
It’s to his credit therefore that he produced such an impressive performance alongside St Patrick’s, Palmerstown man Rushe in the Dubs’ half-back line.
Further up the field, St Jude’s ace Sutcliffe (an All Star winner in 2013) contributed three points from play at left half-forward.
He was joined on the ’40’ by Lucan Sarsfields’ Chris Crummey, who previously lined out for the Metropolitans in defence.
He rattled the net in the second half to give Dublin additional breathing space and later made way for his brother Paul in the latter stages of the contest.
Managed by Galway native Mattie Kenny, the capital men backed up their convincing win over Antrim last weekend by claiming a major scalp at GAA HQ.
Next up for them is a provincial decider against Kilkenny on July 17, following the Cats’ own extra-time triumph over Wexford yesterday.
Despite being ranked outsiders to prevail, Dublin found themselves 0-8 to 0-6 in front at the break.
Galway were uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal and with Sutcliffe adding a brace of points, Kenny’s charges moved five points clear on the resumption.
A Conor Whelan goal looked set to be the spark the Tribesmen needed, but Crummey’s major in the 52nd-minute settled Dublin again.
They were always that step ahead of their opponents from that point onwards and will now seek to bridge an eight-year gap to their last Bob O’Keeffe Cup success.