Dublin’s minor hurlers resume their Leinster Championship campaign with a tricky looking assignment against Carlow in Dr Cullen Park this Saturday afternoon (5.0) and they’ll be looking to improve on what was a sub-standard display against Kilkenny last Saturday week.
The Dubs lost by 2-13 to 0-9 on that occasion, and the challenge for manager John Murphy will be to restore the confidence levels within the panel and to build on the few positive aspects of the Kilkenny performance.
And Murphy is happy with what he’s witnessed in training the past week. He said: “We’re nicely back on track and have had two good training sessions as well as a panel match in Parnell Park last Sunday, which was very beneficial for both players and management.”
Dublin’s cause has not been helped by injuries suffered by both Robert Hardy and Ciarán Kilkenny in Nowlan Park.
Recuperation
But this is partially offset by the likely return of Faughs’ Feargal Healy, whose recuperation continued as he lined out in his side’s SHC loss to Kilmacud Crokes on Saturday evening.
The addition of Healy would be a welcome boost to Dublin as they look to improve on what was a particularly disappointing first-half against Kilkenny, although the displays of Seán McClelland, Glenn Whelan and Danny Sutcliffe also offered further grounds for optimism.
Carlow, who defeated Kildare 4-10 to 1-9 in the opening round, have shown huge improvements at underage level in recent years and Murphy, despite being well aware of the threat they pose, is delighted that Dublin have an immediate opportunity to get their campaign back on track.
“Carlow in Dr Cullen Park will not be an easy game,” added the Crumlin clubman.
“They’re a lively, fast team and we’ll give them the respect they deserve. From our point of view, it’s vitally important that we can address some of the difficulties from the last day and Saturday gives us an opportunity to do that.”
The team is due to be selected after training this evening, with Saturday’s throw-in time moved to 5pm following a request from Dublin for a delay to the original throw-in time to help accommodate those involved with Féile na nGael, which takes take place this the coming weekend.
– Rónán Mac Lochlainn -Evening Herald
