Anthony Daly, the Dublin manager, is confident that he will convince dual star Conal Keaney to join his panel next year.
Daly has already planned talks with the Ballyboden St Enda’s man, who starred in his club’s run to the AIB Club Leinster SHC Semi-final.
The Clare native, who took the Dubs to an All-Ireland Quarter-final in his first year at the helm, watched Keaney in action last Sunday as Ballyboden bowed out of the competition to the Kilkenny champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks.
However, Keaney’s hectic schedule means that he still has football commitments with his club to fulfil this year, as Ballyboen take on Garrycastle in the Leinster semi-final on Sunday.
“In fairness to Conal, he was absolutely outstanding again last Sunday and I watched the game against Ballyhale,” Daly said.
“We’d really love to have him, but I wouldn’t be one for putting pressure on a chap at the moment.
“Ballyboden are playing Garrycastle in football next Sunday and I wish Conal all the best in that. But we’re still very hopeful and would love him to at least combine both next year.”
Keaney has not lined out for the Dublin hurlers since 2003, opting to lay inter-county football for the next six seasons with the Sky Blues.
