2009 ALLSTAR WINNER Alan McCrabbe is back in harness with the Dublin senior hurlers for the coming season.
McCrabbe was not involved last year due to work commitments as Dublin swept to a Leinster senior hurling title win over Galway last July.
He did catch the eye with his club Craobh Chiaráin as they reached the Dublin senior hurling semi-finals last year and Dublin’s official GAA website has confirmed that he is now back on board with Anthony Daly’s squad for the 2014 campaign.
Dublin make their seasonal debut on Saturday night with a Walsh Cup quarter-final clash against UCD in Parnell Park. David Treacy will be in action for UCD while Liam Rushe’s involvement with DIT in the competition rules him out of contention.
Injuries mean Michael Carton, Martin Quilty, Eamon Dillon, Danny Sutcliffe, Niall Corcoran and Oisin Gough are amongst those currently sidelined.
The return of McCrabbe is a boost though. A member of the 2007 Leinster U21 hurling winning side, he had by then established himself in the Dublin senior ranks.
In 2009 he was part of the Dublin side that reached the Leinster final where they were beaten by Kilkenny. But McCrabbe’s performances were recognised as he was named at midfield on the Allstar hurling team at the close of that season.
He was last involved in the 2012 season with Dublin, lining out in attack when they exited the All-Ireland hurling championship at the qualifier stage against Clare in Ennis.
