On Sunday June 22nd 1997, Dublin played Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling championship semi-final at Croke Park and after an outstanding 1st half performance Dublin lead by 5 points at half time. Mid-way during the first half the game had to be stopped as overcrowding in the Cusack Stand led to people walking across the pitch to the Hogan Stand. Many felt that this stoppage in play didn’t help the Dubs and Kilkenny got back into the game. The half-time score was 2-8 to 0-9. Dublin kept Kilkenny at bay until the 61st minute.With time running out and Kilkenny leading by 4 points Dublin got a penalty. Eamonn Morrissey’s brilliant shot was tipped over the bar by Adrian Ronan and that ended Dublin’s challenge. The Dublin team on that day was: Brendan McLoughlin, John Finnegan, Sean Power, Sean Duignan, Paddy Brady, Rory Boland, Jamesie Brennan, Barry O’Sullivan, Conor McCann, Stephen Perkins, Brian McMahon, Eamon Morrissey, Colin Fetherstone, Gerry Ennis. Subs: Mick Morrissey, Paul O’Donoghue, Phil Harney.