Dublin Boss Praised For 'Pure Class' Interview After Controversy Strikes Leinster Thriller

Kilkenny have escaped Nowlan Park with a four-point, 5-19 to 3-21 win over a rampaging Dublin side to reach the Leinster SHC final.

It was a damp-squib first half that saw Kilkenny take full advantage of the breeze and cruise to a fourteen-point lead as the first half neared its ending.

A true game of two halves, however, the signs of a new era of Dublin hurling were all there in the second 35, when Niall Ó Ceallacháin's men mounted a sensational comeback to make it a three-point game by the time the clock struck 60, and a two-point one with 120 seconds left on the clock.

With Kilkenny out on their feet and all the momentum with Ó Cellacháin's men, a first Dublin win in Nowlan Park since the 1940s looked on the cards. But despite the stunning comeback from the Dubs, Derek Lyng's Cats hung on for dear life and, thanks to a late Billy Ryan goal, managed to squirm into the Leinster final with an unexpectedly close four-point win.

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Like all Championship classics, the 70 minutes did not pass without controversy, and in this case, it came at the most pivotal time. With Dublin down by two and the clock nearing seventy, Kilkenny were rightly given the full benefits of an advantage for a pull, which Billy Ryan would convert into a crucial goal moments later.

Seconds later, straight from the ensuing puckout, Dublin too were fouled as they enjoyed an outright overlap and Sean Curry looked to have a clear chance at goal - queue the controversy.

This time, however, no advantage was played to allow Dublin their shot at goal and play was brought back for a free-in, which ultimately proved insufficient in overturning the lead claimed by Billy Ryan seconds earlier.

The decision was met with widespread bemusement from Dublin's players, management team and even the GAA commentators, who could not believe the decision. After an irate reaction, the Dublin doctor was cautioned with a yellow card before Dublin took their point and threw the kitchen sink at Kilkenny in vain.

However, after a Championship campaign that has seen referees front and centre of controversy, including on Saturday when Davy Fitz accused officials of 'despising him' on national radio, Dublin boss Niall Ó Ceallacháin's reaction stood up above the rest.

Asked about the incident on GAA+, the Na Fianna man delivered a sporting and honest account of his thoughts, refusing to comment on the referee, and oozing the values of proper old school hurling.

Listen, how I see it, and there's been stuff on this for the last few weeks. How I was brought up was, you play the game for what it is, man-to-man and then you shake hands after the game and that's it.

I won't be complaining about a referee here today, I'm not very sure what that decision was, but so be it as far as I'm concerned. I made mistakes out there, so did everybody and what's gone on in the last few weeks in lots of Championship games where there's been so much focus on one man, effectively isolated, be it management or be it media effectively honing in on one decision and isolating hurling men.

How I was always brought up was; you play the game, you shake hands after and that's it. There'll be no excuses or no moaning from us.

"You play the game, you shake hands after and that's it and there'll be no excuses or moaning from us"

Pure class from Niall Ó Ceallacháin. A powerful reminder of what true sportsmanship looks like.👏 @DubGAAOfficial

Hurling clips brought to you by @eir #eirforall #KILVDUB pic.twitter.com/TNMymHX2lN

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 18, 2025

If playing the game man-to-man is what the Dublin boss expects from his side, then he'll undoubtedly be impressed by how they reacted in Sunday's second half.

They may not have gotten over their 70-odd-year winless streak in Nowlan Park, but for those inside the capital, it felt like a huge step in the right direction for a Dublin side who, under Ó'Ceallacháin, seem more dangerous with every passing week.