A goal by O'Driscoll with seven minutes of normal time left proved the decisive score as Sarsfield's claimed a 2-14 to 2-13 victory.
Michael Cussen set up Kieran Murphy for a key point late in the game.
Sarsfields failed to retain the title once again, however, on 7 October 2012 O'Driscoll lined out in his fourth championship decider in five years.
After making his competitive debut in a 4-14 to 1-14 defeat by Dublin in the opening round of the 2009 National Hurling League .
The resignation of Gerald McCarthy as manager resulted in the 2008 panel returning to the inter-county set-up.