CHAMPIONS Ballyboden St Enda's have drawn Crumlin in the quarter-finals of the Evening Herald Dublin Senior Hurling Championship. Boden, seeking the three-in-a-row, have been in excellent form this season, winning three from three in Group A.

Crumlin reached the semi-finals last year, and this term they secured a place in the last eight on points difference from Faughs. The draw was made in Parnell Park last night and the game of the round could be the big Northside derby involving St Vincent's and Craobh Chiaráin.

Only the width of the Malahide Road separates them. Both clubs made it to the quarter-finals last term.

Vincent's topped Group D with a 100pc record, while Craobh won two and drew one in Group B. All-Star nominee Alan McCrabbe excelled again the other night in the draw against Kilmacud Crokes.

Last year's runners-up Crokes now face Lucan Sarsfields, who have been semi-finalists for the past two seasons. Crokes have some quality personnel, while Lucan have emerged as one of the finest sides in the capital in recent times.

St Patrick's of Palmerstown are also making quite a reputation for themselves in their maiden voyage in the competition. The West Dublin side were the Senior B champs last winter.

Now they find themselves preparing for a Senior A quarter-final against the mighty O'Toole's, who have been impressive in Pool C. Pat's edged out Na Fianna for a place in the knock-out stages, and they matched 'Boden stride for stride in the first half at O'Toole Park on Saturday.

towering

The holders pulled away after that, helped by another towering offering from the cultured Conal Keaney. Yet young Pat's free-taker Shane Stapleton helped himself to a whopping 13 points.

Meanwhile, Dubs boss Anthony Daly has admitted that he does not yet know whether either Keaney or Shane Ryan will turn their attentions to hurling next year.

Rumours have been rife in the capital since the footballer's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final defeat by Kerry back in August that the duo could concentrate their efforts on small ball in 2010, but as of yet Daly has not heard from either.

"There's a bit of a question mark about Conal and what's he going to do," Daly said yesterday. "We'd love to have Conal Keaney next year, but the bottom line is it is up to him.

"He might try to do a bit of both or he might try to throw his lot in with the hurlers -- that would be a major lift for us. But that's down to him."

"We spoke to him last year and he knows my position on it. We haven't approached anyone yet because they are busy with the clubs, so we are letting the hare sit and see what happens. He gave an exhibition last week against Pat's. He's a real natural hurler."

Daly added that he would also be open-minded about a return for Ryan, despite his lack of hurling in recent years in comparison with Keaney.

"I wouldn't be for saying that someone like Shane Ryan would come in and we'd be throwing out one of the lads who served us well this year. I'd be for saying, if Shane wanted to have a cut, we'd have a look at him. I'd pick anyone on merit," added Daly.

Evening Herald Dublin SHC quarter-finals

St Vincent's v Craobh Chiaráin

Ballyboden St Enda's v Crumlin

O'Toole's v St Patrick's (P)

Kilmacud Crokes v Lucan Sarsfields

Ties to be played on the weekend of October 10/11

- Niall Scully