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All-Ireland champions Na Fianna edge out Lucan Sarsfields in dramatic Dublin decider

Na Fianna captain Dónal Burke lifts The New Ireland Assurance Company Perpetual Challenge Cup
Na Fianna captain Dónal Burke lifts The New Ireland Assurance Company Perpetual Challenge Cup

Na Fianna 1-20 Lucan Sarsfields 0-22

Sean Currie struck a dramatic stoppage time winner as All-Ireland club SHC title holders Na Fianna made it a three-in-a-row of Dublin SHC titles.

Two points down with the regulation 60 minutes almost up, Aidan Downes' side dug deep and mined out three vital points in a row to win it.

The first of those scores came from Man of the Match Brian Ryan, his fifth of the night.

Colin Currie then levelled the game with a trademark free, bringing his tally to nine points.

Currie then turned provider, gathering up a long free in by goalkeeper Jonathan Tracey and feeding it to his brother, Sean, who tapped over.

But Lucan will look back in anger at the concession of a 39th minute penalty which county star Donal Burke converted.

Referee Rory Hanley judged that Burke was initially fouled by Ronan Smith, despite the Lucan defender arguing that he pulled off a perfectly timed interception.

It was desperately tough on a Lucan side managed by Charlie Carter and chasing their maiden title.

It was only their second final, and their first since 2013, and they were superbly led by Ben Coffey who struck 10 points, eight from frees.

Coffey's 10th of the game in the 59th minute left them with that two-point lead having bounced back impressively from the goal concession.

But county, provincial and All-Ireland winners Na Fianna showed all their mettle to claim the New Ireland Assurance Cup - securing a Leinster club SHC quarter-final clash with the Wexford champions on November 9.

25 October 2025; Charlie McCarthy of Na Fianna celebrates after his side's victory in the Dublin County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Na Fianna and Lucan Sarsfields at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Charlie McCarthy celebrates at full-time

Na Fianna put their unbeaten record on the line when they took to the field, reaching the final with seven wins from seven.

They overcame Lucan along the way in mid-September though their last defeat in championship fare, back in a 2024 group game, was also to Lucan.

Wides cost Na Fianna this time as they hit the interval with a narrow 0-11 to 0-10 lead despite creating enough chances to be further clear.

They had the stiff wind and continuously shot from distance, with mixed results as their first-half wides tally of 11 indicated.

Former Limerick senior Ryan drilled three first-half points but struck two wides, as did Jack Meagher and Burke.

They were costly errors which allowed the more efficient Lucan to open up a 0-06 to 0-03 lead after 12 minutes.

All six of Lucan's scores came from different players as the seemingly perennial semi-finalists displayed the depth of their quality.

Na Fianna took over for a period then, reeling off, firstly, three and then five points without response to take a 0-11 to 0-07 lead and, apparently, control of the game.

25 October 2025; Referee Rory Hanley signals for a penalty to Na Fianna as Lucan Sarsfields players John Bellew, 4, and Chris Crummey remonstrate with him during the Dublin County Senior Club Hurling Championship final match between Na Fianna and Lucan Sarsfields at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by
Referee Rory Hanley awarded a 39th minute penalty to Na Fianna

But three Lucan points to close out the half left Na Fiann with just a one-point interval lead.

The sides were level eight times in the second-half and while Na Fianna benefited from that penalty call, Lucan responded with a series of scores to leave themselves in pole position.

Goalkeeper Seanie McClelland boomed over a long-range free and teenager Killian Costelloe even grabbed a crucial score after coming on.

But the west Dublin side couldn't hold out for a landmark win as Na Fianna made their own piece of history with a memorable three-in-a-row.

Na Fianna: Jonathan Tracey; Sean Burke, Conor McHugh, Diarmuid Clerkin; Paul O'Dea (0-01), Liam Rushe, Peter Feeney; Brian Ryan (0-05), Jack Meagher; Micheal Murphy, Donal Burke (1-00, pen), Sean Currie (0-02); Colin Currie (0-09, 0-07f), AJ Murphy (0-02), Tom Brennan.

Subs: Joe Kavanagh for Clerkin 45, Charlie McCarthy (0-01) for Brennan 52, Liam Stacey for Meagher 57.

Lucan Sarsfields: Seanie McClelland (0-01, 0-01f); Massimo Pappalardo, Chris Crummey (0-01), John Bellew; Matt McCaffrey, Paul Rigney, Ronan Smith; Colm Walsh (0-01), Liam Garrigan; Charlie Keher (0-04), Donal Flannery (0-01), Ben Coffey (0-10, 0-08f); Dave Mulqueen, Paul Crummey (0-02), Cathal Kennedy (0-01).

Subs: Ciaran Dowling for Mulqueen 43, Killian Costelloe (0-01) for Garrigan 50, Matt Coogan for Flannery 53.

Referee: Rory Hanley (St Brigid's).

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