Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s Impact Has Been Significant
Seán Currie has been full of praise for what Niall Ó Ceallacháin has brought to the Dublin hurling team in his first year as manager. Having already proven his coaching credentials with Na Fianna—leading them to their first-ever All-Ireland club title last January—Ó Ceallacháin quickly transitioned into his role with Dublin, starting with a competitive league run that narrowly missed promotion to Division 1B.
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A Big Test Awaits
Now deep into the Leinster Championship, Dublin face a must-win clash against Galway at Parnell Park. A victory would guarantee them a spot in the provincial final for the second year in a row, likely against Kilkenny. Their recent matchup with the Cats saw a gutsy second-half fightback fall short, sealed by a last-minute goal from Billy Ryan. Despite the setback, Currie—who notched 2-06 in that game—believes the team is on the brink of something special.
The Belief Is Real
Speaking at a Dublin GAA event, Currie expressed confidence that Dublin can finally end their 12-year wait for a Leinster title. “We’re not here to settle for second or third,” he said. “We want to go further than last year. We were disappointed with how we performed in that final and now we’re focused on making it right.” Currie emphasized that the group is hungry to elevate their game and compete at the highest level, both in Leinster and nationally.
Club Success Fuelling County Ambition
Currie also pointed out that the strength of Dublin’s club championship is feeding into the county team’s progress. “There are at least five or six teams in Dublin that could take on any club in the country,” he said. “That competitiveness is definitely helping us at the county level.”
A Manager That Players Trust
While Currie knows it’s the players who ultimately shape results on the pitch, he acknowledges that Ó Ceallacháin has added that crucial extra edge. “Managers only add a few percent, but Niall has definitely brought that to us—some tactical tweaks, better structure, and belief. The players really enjoy playing under him,” he said.
Consistency and Improvement Over Time
Having worked with Ó Ceallacháin for five years at Na Fianna, Currie has seen firsthand how his coaching style creates long-term growth. “He made us better every year at Na Fianna, step by step. Now with Dublin, it’s the same thing—small, smart improvements that help raise the bar as the season goes on.”
