A new-look Dublin side, led by manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin, secured a convincing 14-point victory over Antrim in Division 1B of the National Hurling League. Despite fielding a team with several newcomers, Dublin dominated the contest, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Conal Ó Riain impressed with a goal and three points, while Cian O'Sullivan expertly converted 13 points from placed balls and open play.
Paul Keane reports from Croke Park. Niall Ó Ceallacháin must feel like nothing can go wrong for his teams when they pitch up at Croke Park. Just six days after leading Na Fianna to All-Ireland club success there, the new Sky Blues boss experienced that winning feeling all over again. This time it was Antrim who felt the pain as the visitors slumped to a surprisingly heavy 14-point loss at GAA HQ in Division 1B of the NHL.
None of the Na Fianna players were involved while experienced performers like 2024 captain Paddy Smyth, Danny Sutcliffe and Ronan Hayes were absent too, along with Eoghan O’Donnell who has quit to play football. But a Dublin side with debutants David Lucey, Paddy Dunleavy and Iain Ó hEithir in defence coughed up just 14 points in total, and only six from open play, and cantered to success. Conal Ó Riain was another newcomer in blue and the Kilmacud Crokes man, an U20 last year, also seized the opportunity with 1-3 overall while free-taker Cian O’Sullivan slotted 13 points on the evening, 11 from placed balls. Ó Riain’s ninth-minute goal left Dublin five points clear at that early stage and already there was an ominous feeling about things from an Antrim perspective. New Antrim boss Davy Fitzgerald spoke beforehand about needing to improve their away record but they never looked like grabbing a result here and will hope for an improvement against Offaly in Tullamore on February 9. Dublin will be back in action the same afternoon against Westmeath in Mullingar. Ó Ceallacháin went with a new-look Dublin side that contained just six starters – John Bellew, Chris Crummey, Daire Gray, Brian Hayes, Conor Burke and Darragh Power – from last June’s All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Cork. Crummey led the team out after being handed the captaincy for the second time in his senior career with Conor Burke as vice-captain. Crummey has played in the half-forward line in the past but looks set to be a defensive mainstay in the Ó Ceallacháin era with a commanding centre-back display. He blasted one trademark long-range score in a first-half when Dublin were largely on top, allowing them to reach the interval with a 1-14 to 0-9 lead. In the absence of regular free-takers and Na Fianna duo Donal Burke and Colin Currie, O’Sullivan was handed placed ball duties for Dublin and split the posts nine times in the first-half alone. Ó Riain’s goal was the standout moment of the first 35 minutes or so, the St Brigid’s man controlling the ball firstly on the left before striking to the Antrim net. Keelan Molloy was a late addition to the Antrim lineup. They also had an experienced performer in centre-back Eoghan Campbell who is one of their new vice-captains, along with Conor Johnston. Paddy Burke and Nigel Elliott are Antrim’s two new joint captains and Elliott hit one of their first-half points. The Saffrons were wasteful though and dropped too many point attempts short in the opening period with the bulk of their scores coming from McNaughton frees. They are without ACL victim Conal Cunning and badly missed him. It didn’t get any better for the Ulster side after the restart with just a solitary point in the third quarter, from Niall McKenna. Dublin didn’t exactly cut loose in comparison but powerful full-forward John Hetherton hit his second of the evening and O’Sullivan continued to convert from frees and open play. All of which left Dublin with a commanding 1-19 to 0-12 lead approaching the hour mark. Antrim needed a miracle at that stage, or at least a goal to hint at some late drama, but it never arrived as Dublin finished with a series of points to gloss the scoreline. Substitute Cillian Hayes, Crummey, Conor Burke, Dara Purcell and Ó Riain again were on the mark in the closing stages while O Ceallachain rolled on all five of his permitted subs including newcomer Jack Lambert from Ballyboden.
GAA National Hurling League Dublin Antrim Niall Ó Ceallacháin Conal Ó Riain Cian O'sullivan Division 1B
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dublin Fields Movie Studios Approved in South DublinPlanners have approved plans for the construction of Dublin Fields movie studios in south Dublin, which could create up to 2,800 jobs.
Read more »
Man Arrested After Shooting in Co AntrimA shooting incident took place in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, resulting in a man being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Read more »
Suspended sentence for man (92) guilty of dangerous driving causing death of Antrim schoolgirlCourt hears John Noble Lindsay, a former RUC officer, killed Scarlett Rossborough (8) in 2023
Read more »
Davy Fitzgerald Embraces New Challenge as Antrim Hurling ManagerDavy Fitzgerald, a seasoned intercounty hurling manager, takes on the helm of the Antrim hurling team, facing both geographical and performance challenges. He emphasizes the importance of player welfare and improving the team's away record while acknowledging the demands of the role.
Read more »
Woman, 70s, killed in horror collisionEmergency services rushed to the scene of the collision on the Antrim Road in Glengormley
Read more »
Woman in 70s Dies After Antrim Road CollisionA pedestrian in her 70s tragically died following a collision with a car on the Antrim Road in Glengormley, Co. Antrim, on Monday, January 13. The PSNI is investigating the incident and appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Read more »