Ryan shoots senior hurlers into league final

DUBLIN 1-15 CORK 1-14

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago the Dublin hurlers were fighting off relegation in the top-flight now they are preparing to face Kilkenny in their first NHL Division 1 final since 1946 (on May 1).

Paul Ryan and David O’Callaghan were the Dublin scoring heroes with Ryan scoring 1-8 (0-7f) and Dotsy tallying six points from play as the Dubs came from behind to edge out the Rebels in Sunday’s Allianz NHL Division 1 clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A Luke O’Farrell goal 14 minutes from time had the potential to trip up the Dubs but they showed great mettle to rally back with points from Ryan (three frees, including two long-range strikes) and O’Callaghan to retake the lead 1-15 to 1-13.

Dublin had most of the possession during this crucial period of the game but despite not turning chances into scores they still did not become dispirited as held on in a nervy finish.

In the opening half Cork settled the better and led 0-4 to 0-1 inside nine minutes as they dominated the aerial exchanges but O’Callaghan soon put his mark on the game with some classy scores with the pace of Daire Plunkett and the determination of Ryan O’Dwyer helping to unsettle the Cork defence as the Rebels led 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time.

Five minutes into the second half came the Dublin goal when Plunkett raced through the Cork defence before placing Ryan who cracked a superb shot to the net to nose in front 1-8 to 0-10.

The freetaking of Ryan was the match-winner from then on while Conal Keaney clipped over one fine point with 16 minutes remaining while at the back Tomás Brady led by example clearing some great ball.

SCORERS – Dublin: P Ryan 1-8 (0-7), D O’Callaghan 0-6, C Keaney 0-1. Cork: L O’Farrell 1-1, B O’Connor 0-4 (0-4f), N McCarthy, J Gardiner (0-1 ‘65’, 0-1f) 0-3 each, C McCarthy, K Murphy, P Horgan 0-1 each.