On Saturday afternoon, Cuala beat Slaughtneil convincingly in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, by 3-21 to 2-11. And a major player in that victory, which meant the first ever Dublin club in an All-Ireland SHC final, was Con O'Callaghan. O'Callaghan scored a brilliant goal in the 11th minute to set Cuala on their way and generally impressed with a fine performance, scoring another three points in the game. This followed on from when he scored 1-4 in the Leinster final against O'Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny after notching five goals in his previous two games (including 4-3 in the quarter-final against Borris-Kilcotton of Laois).
But hardcore Dublin hurling fans won't get the chance to see the 21-year-old hurling in a blue jersey this summer, as he has committed to the footballers. The footballers' success is an obvious draw for O'Callaghan but it is perhaps no coincidence either that another of the county's best hurlers, Michael Carton, recently described the atmosphere around the county senior hurling set-up as "toxic". O'Callaghan's absence is a big loss for the hurlers and O'Callaghan's ability was clear for everyone to see on Saturday - including former Dubs manager Anthony Daly.
will be playing super 8s when he should be hurling 😫😫
— Anthony Daly (@DaloAnto) February 25, 2017
Con O'Callaghan simply unmarkable with this much space #TheToughest
— Neil McManus (@Neilmcmanus88) February 25, 2017
What would the Dublin hurlers give to have Con O'Callaghan! A class act
— Paddy Murphy (@paddymurphy90) February 25, 2017
KING CON ... Superb goal by Con O'Callaghan!! #Cuala 1-6 #Slaughtneil 0-2
13 mins gone— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) February 25, 2017
As Cuala manager Mattie Kenny said after the game though, Cuala progressing to the final can surely only be good for hurling in Dublin.
