Na Fianna's Sean Murphy reflects on Dublin team's journey to All-Ireland final

Michael Bolton

As Dublin side Na Fianna prepare for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final this weekend, Sean Murphy reflects on the team’s remarkable rise over the years.

After losing county finals in 2021 and 2022, Na Fianna claimed back-to-back county titles, followed by a Leinster title in 2024.

Having overcome Galway side Loughrea in the All-Ireland semi-finals, they now face Cork’s Sarsfields in the battle for All-Ireland glory.

Known traditionally for their success in football, Murphy is proud to see the hurling side’s hard work paying off.

“In the first few years, we were very competitive as a senior team, but we weren’t getting out of the group.

“Our year could have ended in the summertime, around August or so. It’s only in the last couple of years that we’ve really stepped it up and been able to compete.

“That’s when the belief comes—you get results and see improvement year on year. Once you see the improvement and the talent in the team, you start to believe that days like this are possible.”

The last time a Dublin side prepared for the biggest day in club hurling was during Cuala’s back-to-back victories in 2017 and 2018.

For Na Fianna, Cuala provided an example of what could be achieved. For Murphy, it was a key moment for hurling in Dublin.

“Cuala were the trailblazers, really, in Dublin—being able to go to back-to-back All-Ireland finals and win them. That gave a big lift to Dublin hurling at the time as well, and Dublin hurling has continued to improve.

“We were always delighted for Cuala to represent Dublin and Leinster in All-Irelands. They really trailblazed the path.

“They instilled the belief that if Cuala can do it, any other team can do it as well. We took some motivation from that, but after that, it was about focusing on ourselves and our own path.”

It has been a year of firsts for Na Fianna, who have become the team to beat in Dublin senior hurling.

As a dual player, it took time for the experienced Murphy to enjoy success in hurling, and he credited the quality of younger players for the team’s progress.

“There was a bit of a gap between our underage successes—the minors and the U21s—before we really started to compete at senior level.

“It’s just about becoming accustomed to the senior game, how physical and fast-paced it is. Thankfully, after a couple of years and with the talent coming through, we began to compete.

“The last three or four years have been a testament to that.”