For all the talk of Galway exiting the championship at such an early stage, it can be easily overlooked what Dublin have achieved in knocking them out.
While the Tribesmen had not been at their best during the Leinster round robin, most still expected them to dispatch of Dublin in a fairly straightforward manner in their final group. The match played out in a very different manner however, and the right team won on the day.
Chris Crummey, who netted the all important goal for Dublin late in that game, said it was a special day for hurling in the county. It was also bittersweet in a sense, as they missed out on the Leinster final due to that dramatic draw between Wexford and Kilkenny.
It was a phenomenal experience. I suppose it being in Parnell Park probably made it a bit more special. There was such a big crowd there and the way the game went, the fact that it was so close, to get over the line was unbelievable.
Galway have been in the last two All-Ireland finals. They're probably in the last two or three teams consistently so the fact that it was against such a big team, and the manner of the victory as well in that it was so close, it was a case of both teams playing to their best.
Galway played very well and I suppose that added to it as well...
Effectively going into the game we viewed it as a Leinster semi-final. A knockout game that if we won we'd be in a Leinster final, if we lost we'd be out...
"The initial reaction after the game was great because we thought we were going to a Leinster final and then about 10 or 15 minutes later it was a bit bittersweet when you found out you weren't in a Leinster final.
"You look back on it and see that four teams are on the same points and one is out for the summer.
"You'd probably take coming third and still being in an All-Ireland series. Bittersweet at the time but looking back and reflecting on it we're delighted to still be there now.
While the debate continues to rage on over the Dublin football team's continued use of Croke Park, the hurlers have made plenty of use of their county ground.
Parnell Park has become a happy hunting ground in recent years, and Crummey says playing their games their on a regular basis has been a huge help to his team.
Yeah Parnell Park has definitely been a big fortress for us. Ask any of the lads, they love playing there.
The intensity of the games there, the fact that the crowd are so close it adds to the whole game. I think the players feed off it and the crowd nearly feed off it as well. It's just an intense ground.
Playing in grounds all over the country, like the next day is going to be in Portlaoise or Cusack Park, it will be a similar atmosphere.
"Players love playing in those types of atmospheres and it's something that we relish and look forward to.
"I'd be all for playing big matches in smaller grounds at full capacity rather than playing in empty stadiums. It's definitely something players enjoy, the atmosphere from those grounds, it adds to the game as well."
Dublin will be playing deep into the summer this year, a change from recent seasons. While they had previously watched on as we entered the All-Ireland series, this time they are preparing for a preliminary quarter final against Laois or Westmeath.
They will be keeping an eye on the Joe McDonagh Cup final between those sides, and are no doubt looking forward to getting out on the pitch at what is considered the optimum time of year for hurling.
I think the last two years we've always shown that we've been able to compete but it's just now we've finally been able to get over the line in such a tight game.
I suppose though the victory will have less significance if we don't push on and kick on now. That's really our aim now is to hopefully put in a big performance against Laois or Westmeath...
Everyone wants to hurl in weather like this. That's why you hurl. You enjoy your hurling most playing in these conditions. We're delighted to be hurling into July.
It was a goal at the start of the year was to get out of the group and to win Leinster as well so we didn't achieve our goal of winning Leinster but at the same time we're still in the All-Ireland so we're delighted with that.
Chris Crummey was in attendance at the launch of Leisureplex’s ‘Share Your Summer’ campaign. Teens and students are in with a chance to win a range of prizes simply by sharing their Leisureplex experience on Social Media. There’s loads of activities to try out, including Bowling, Quasar, Pool Tables & Arcade Games. For more info visit www.leisureplex.ie. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
