That was a hard earned point at Parnell Park last Sunday. It was well deserved as the players showed great heart and commitment. Waterford are a top team and some would say they are in the top three in the country. Considering we had to play with fourteen men for twenty minutes makes our success all the more noteworthy. We had some great performances from Eoghan O’Donnell, Danny Sutcliffe and Fergal Whitely, just to mention a few, but every player pulled their weight and they need fear no team if they can continue to improve. One area of concern for me was the fact that we did not make better use of the strong wind in the first half. We scored only 11 points in the first half and we scored 10 in the second half against a very strong wind. Pat Fleury and Cathal Moore, were reporting on the game for TG4 and kept expressing surprise that Dublin didn’t make more use of the long ball when playing with the wind. Eoghan O’Donnell is such a great player that some day I would love to see him centre back where he could show off his range of skills. Next Saturday’s game in Corrigan Park is going to be difficult as Antrim are hard to beat at home and they will be up for it after a very good performance away to Kilkenny. We are good enough to get the two points. We are delighted that our Fodh bus will be in support.
Bus to Corrigan Park, Belfast.
The bus will depart Connolly Station at 10.15 and Whitehall GAA club [ corner of Collins Ave and Swords Road] at 10.30. There will be a stop on the way. The cost is €10 for members, – €15 for non members- €5 for juveniles. To book your seat you must contact 0877205887 no later than 6pm on Wednesday. Give your name and pick up point.
Update from Mattie Kenny
Some updates from the Senior Hurling camp, but first on behalf of all the players and management, we just want to express our appreciation to the growing numbers of supporters coming out and getting behind the team every week.
Between Walsh Cup / Fitzgibbon and the start of the National Hurling League it has been a very busy few weeks for us and we are trying to manage the loading on the players and give everyone an opportunity to impress
With a such a busy schedule, we are always going to pick up knocks and we are currently rehabbing Alex Considine (Hand), Luke Walsh (Quad), Daire Gray (Hamstring), Sean Currie (Arm) & Ciaran Dowling (Hamstring) but we should have them back training in the next 10 days
Unfortunately, we have some long-term Injuries, and we are working with the following players to get them back on the pitch in the coming months, notable
Cian Boland – Serious Achilles Injury from Oliver Plunketts last championship game, we are aiming to get him back mid April for the start of the Leinster Championship
Cian O’ Sullivan – Suffered a serious Hamstring Injury down in the Walsh Cup Game against Offaly, he is out for 12 – 14 weeks, so again we are targeting him for the start of the Leinster Championship
Liam Rushe (Quad), Mark Schutte (Shoulder) and Shane Barrett (Back) they are all working on the Injury Rehab and are back doing light training and we are hoping to have them available and in full training in Mid / Late March.
Again, thanks for all your continued support and hopefully we will see some of ye up in Corrigan Park On Saturday
Regards
Mattie
Leinster Colleges Final on Saturday at 1pm at Nowlan Park
Dublin South play Good Counsel College in the final. This has the makings of a great game. Hopefully, a lot of supporters will make the journey and support these young men. Thanks to manager, Sean Power and his selectors Jim Ryan, Cian Mac Gabhann, Naomhán Ó Ríordáin and Mick Keville for their commitment to this team and indeed to Dublin hurling.
Senior hurling extended panel.
Last Sunday Dublin had a one point win over Waterford in a very good game. For those of you who cannot make Corrigan Park or Nowlan Park, you might like to go to Abbottstown and see Dublin playing Galway at 2pm.