Dublin minor hurlers, under the guidance of manager Martin McKenna (Faughs), commence preparation in March for their opening Leinster championship game against Wexford on the 2nd May. Dublin is seeded along with Wexford, Offaly and Kilkenny who also play each other. The winner of both games progress directly to the semi-finals, while the runner up teams will face a quarter final tie against the group winners from the remaining counties.
The majority of the current squad have been together since 2005 . That year Dublin entered the Tony Forristal u-14 tournament as a division 2 team and went on to beat Offaly in the final to claim the All Ireland B title.
Two years later the panel played in division 1 of the Arrabawn U-16 competition in Tipperary. In that tournament, the Dubs defeated Munster u-15 champions Clare to claim a second round game against Wexford. Two periods of extra time failed to decide the winner. In the third period of extra time, Dublin prevailed by one point to progress to the semi-final.
Despite having to travel 20 miles immediately after that game to another venue, the Dublin side scored a convincing win over Waterford to set up a final with the host county and favourites for the competition, Tipperary. A valiant effort in the final from the Dubs was not enough to secure victory over Tipp.
In 2008 this squad of players travelled to Cork to participate in the All Ireland u-17 blitz. Victories over Wexford and Tipperary (in the semi-final) saw the Dubs progress to the final against Cork who eventually secured vicory on the day.
Team manager, Martin McKenna, is confident that the experience gained by his charges as the progressed from u-14 to minor will stand them in good stead as they set out in the search for Leinster and All Ireland glory. Along with selectors Pat Halpin (Kilmacud Crokes), Pat Lawless (Round Towers), David Needham (coach), Jimmy Barrett (physical trainer) and Danny Murphy (kit) he is looking forward to the year ahead and hoping for continued success for this talented panel of players
