Back In The Big Time

November 21, 2025

Kevin’s won the Intermediate hurling championship on a number of occasions, but the last time we won the Junior A we went on to win the Intermediate the following year.

Kevins Crowned Dublin Intermediate Hurling Champions, 1979

Kevins marked a triumphant return to senior ranks in August 1979 after capturing the Dublin GAA Intermediate Hurling Championship with a decisive victory over Young Irelands at Parnell Park. The win, sealed by a 1–13 to 0–10 scoreline, crowned a remarkable rise for the club, which had also secured the Junior Championship only one year earlier.

More than a championship success, the victory represented a restoration of status. After several years outside the senior grade, Kevins’ emphatic performance ensured their elevation back to the top tier of Dublin hurling. By contrast, their opponents Young Irelands—seeking a return to senior status after dropping down the previous season—were denied the opportunity by a Kevins side that dominated key spells of the match.

A Hard-Fought Final

The Intermediate final was no one-sided affair. Young Irelands battled bravely throughout and were well in contention in the early stages. Kevins, however, held the upper hand from the outset. Three points ahead at the interval, 0–8 to 0–5, they maintained composure in a fiercely contested opening thirty minutes marked by tight defending and heavy physical exchanges.

The decisive moment came in the final quarter when Kevins’ centre-half-forward and former inter-county hurler Dick Walsh struck for the game’s only goal. His effort injected renewed confidence into the Kevins side, who were forced to withstand prolonged pressure from an experienced Young Irelands forward line. Yet their defence remained resolute, repeatedly turning aside attacks as the clock wound down.

Standout Performers

Kevins’ victory was underpinned by strong performances across the field. Eugene Murray, Martin Hayes, and John Tracey impressed at half-back. In midfield, Paul Coffey and Paraic Kennedy dominated exchanges. Up front, Brendan McCarthy and Jim Fitzgerald were central to the scoring effort. Captain Dick Walsh led by example, orchestrating play from centre forward while contributing a vital 1–3. Fitzgerald added four points, with McCarthy chipping in another four.

For Young Irelands, Liam Walsh was accurate throughout, and teammates Tom Griffin, Dan Rennihan, Micky Power, and Seamus Walsh were consistently prominent.

A Rare Achievement

Winning back-to-back Junior and Intermediate championships placed Kevins among a select group of Dublin clubs to achieve such a feat. The accomplishment was celebrated not only for the silverware but for what it symbolised: a club revitalised, strengthened by emerging talent, and capable once again of competing at senior level.

A Moment Etched in Club History

The team photograph taken on the day—players lined proudly across the pitch at Parnell Park, hurls resting at their feet—captures the sense of unity and momentum surrounding the club in 1979. With strong underage structures and a renewed competitive edge, Kevins’ ascent signalled a new chapter, one built on resilience, local pride, and a deep-rooted passion for hurling.

The 1979 Intermediate Championship remains a defining milestone, remembered fondly by the Kevins community and celebrated as the victory that brought the club “back in the big time.”

The Team On Final Day

The following was the starting lineup on final day: