Double-chasing Cuala dethrone Na Fianna to set up Crokes showdown

Na Fianna's Michael Murphy in action against Cuala's David Treacy ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Southside rivals Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes will meet in the Dublin SHC final after getting the better of Na Fianna and Lucan Sarsfields respectively at Parnell Park.

The Cuala hurlers joined their football counterparts in the county final after dethroning four-in-a-row seeking Na Fianna with a 2-21 to 1-19 victory. Goals in either half from Conall O’Toole and Colm Cronin helped the Dalkey outfit to a famous win after leading by 1-11 to 0-11 at the interval.

AJ Murphy netted for the holders in the second half before Cronin’s late goal sealed Cuala’s return to the decider after a six-year lapse.

In the other semi-final, Kilmacud Crokes overcame the dismissal of Brian Sheehy just after half-time to edge out Lucan Sarsfields by 0-20 to 0-19.

Last year’s runners-up Sarsfields led by four points at the break and were still two points to the good with five minutes remaining. But the 14 men weren’t to be denied as late points from Oisín O’Rorke, goalkeeper Eddie Gibbons and substitute Ger Veale got them over the line.