IN this year's Evening Herald Dublin Senior Hurling Championship final, the two number ones knew each other well.

Boden's Gary Maguire took over from Brendan McLoughlin of O'Toole's as the Dublin goalkeeper.

Brendan has a high opinion of Gary. He's not alone. When Gary is on duty, Boden's back wall resembles reinforced steel.

At this stage, Gary is an experienced Dubs Star. He will again be between the posts up at Thomas Davis on New Year's Day.

But this time he'll arrive with something extra in the satchel -- an All-Star award.

Many have felt that Gary should have been in contention before now, but it's always the teams at the business end of the championship that dominate, and, until this year, Dublin have been a few floors away from the boardroom.

On home turf, Gary completed the five-in-a-row with 'Boden. He played between the sticks in all five finals.

And, remarkably, in the five finals, he has only conceded two goals -- to Vincent's in 2007, and to Vincent's again last year.

Kilmacud Crokes (2008), Craobh Chiaráin (2009) and O'Toole's (2011) failed to land one in the cuckoo's nest.

Gary is the first to compliment his security staff. "It's a team game," he says in that quiet, modest way of his.

And it's that understated temperament that is among his chief assets. When the heat comes on in the kitchen, Gary remains as cool as an ice cube.

How often have you seen him tiptoe around the tulips, and the timber, to deliver the sliotar to safety!

Admirer

Tipp's Top Cat, Brendan Cummins, is also an admirer. Cummins is devoted to his art.

Damian Lawlor, a fine hurler himself, captured what the craft means to Brendan in an article in the Sunday Independent.

The new face-guard rule for helmets was coming in. Brendan was trying his best to adjust.

One evening, his wife walked into the sitting room to find Brendan watching television with his helmet on.

To Gary, the Tipperary star has made for inspiring reading. "When I won the All Star this year, Brendan rang me," reveals Gary.

"He said he wasn't able to make the function, but he just wanted to congratulate me. I really appreciated that.

"Brendan is a brilliant 'keeper. You'd have to look up to the likes of him. When I was growing up I always admired Damien Fitzhenry, the marvellous Wexford goalie.

"I rated Davy Fitzgerald as well. Davy brought so much to that Clare team. They are the type of fellas you aspire to. They are always on the top of their game.

unlucky

"I think the quality of goalkeeping has certainly risen all over the country. I felt David Herity was unlucky not to win an All-Star.

"There's a wonderful standard of goalkeeping in hurling now, and it's getting better all the time."

Even back on the Firhouse Road, Gary doesn't have to look far to see an accomplished net-minder. Finn McGarry is his 'Boden deputy. In most other clubs, Finn would be wearing the marshal's badge.

And then with the Dubs, there's Alan Nolan, another highly rated member of the goalkeeper's union.

Next year, Boden will be striving to become the first Dublin club to win six SHC titles in succession.

But that will be the last thing dominating the conversation at Páirc Uí Mhurchú.

"It was a great achievement this year to win the five-in-a-row," reflected Gary.

"But there wasn't much talk about it among ourselves about the possibility of doing it.

"It took us a long time to win our first one. That was a big monkey off our backs.

"But now we have landed ourselves in history. Nobody can take that away from us, and we are delighted.

"It was a good year for me personally. It was great to pick up the All-Star. Hopefully now Dublin can drive on next year and pick up a few more. The standards in Dublin hurling have risen in the last few years. The talent is coming through and that's reflected in the county side."

Scaling Mount Leinster was Boden's immediate priority once the Dublin jewel was in the bag. Unfortunately, Coolderry ended their ambition in Parnell Park, a victory overseen by another goalkeeping icon, Ken Hogan.

The Offaly men then surprised most by toppling Oulart-The Ballagh in the Leinster final. It was a result that confirms Leinster are within striking distance of several county champions.

But Leinster won't even be mentioned between now and next autumn among the Boden Brethren. First things first, as they say.

Conscious

Or as the boss-man, Liam Hogan, would declare. "Six is the figure after five and immediately preceding seven!"

All of Dublin felt Boden's regret at losing to Coolderry. "We are very conscious of representing Dublin hurling," mused Gary.

"Crumlin have been the only Dublin team to win Leinster, and that was back in the 70s, so it would be terrific for the county if a Dublin side were to do it."

In Boden's opening Leinster assignment against Clonkill of Westmeath last month, Gary's heroics helped to see them through.

However, Barry Teehan's wonder goal for Coolderry in Parnell Park would even have beaten the combined efforts of Ollie Walsh, Noel Skehan, and Damian Byrne.

But for now, such notions of Leinster gold have been positioned in the long-term car park. Yet maybe the Boden breakthrough is not all that far away.

Their journey to eventually becoming Dublin champions was a long one. They endured pain but learned at every station. And it's been the same on the Leinster Express.

When Boden won their first county crown in 2007, they hadn't got their state-of-the art floodlit facility at Sancta Maria.

So many Dublin clubs came to offer them the use of their grounds. It was deeply appreciated. That fondness and admiration for the Boden boys among the Dublin hurling community has grown even stronger.

And Gary Maguire's diligence in minding the Rathfarnham Castle marks him out as a champion among champions.

- Niall Scully