Things haven’t gone well for Pat Gilroy’s Dublin so far.
But it’s hard to blame him. The St. Vincent’s manager came in at the start of the year and it was clear that he had a tough job ahead of him.
On top of the obvious hindrance of the missing Cuala lads, he was taking over a young and transitioning squad that has very little experience.
Under Anthony Daly, Dublin had a golden generation of hurlers. Since his departure, they’ve been struggling, struggling badly.
Most of those players have moved on. Ger Cunningham has come and gone, and his two year tenure at the helm was extremely underwhelming and disappointing.
On top of poor results, players didn’t want to play for the Dublin hurlers and many lads opted to drop themselves off the panel.
But there was optimism with this new set up.
"It is disappointing that the work we're doing in training, we're not bringing to games" –
Limerick manager John Kiely & Dubs boss Pat Gilroy spoke to @SuibhneGeilt1 after the game at the Gaelic Grounds. #AllianzLeagues #MatchNightLive pic.twitter.com/q3mdexuJlD— eir Sport (@eirSport) February 17, 2018
All the noises coming from the camp in pre-season were positive. Pat Gilroy’s ability as a man manager was hailed as a potential turning point and his addition of Anthony Cunningham to the management team only supplemented the anticipation.
What’s transpired in three League games has been disastrous.
In their first night out against Offaly, they were obliterated in a truly listless performance. Gilroy entrusted a host of young and new look players for this opener and they looked out of their depth. At home against Offaly – it wasn’t a good start to lose by 13 points.
Next time out against Antrim was just as bad, but they got out of jail via a late, late Donal Burke free.
On Saturday night against a depleted Limerick, they were again annihilated. This time by 12 points.
But it’s hard to use the excuse that they’re too young, or inexperienced here, seeing as John Kiely’s Limerick are possibly one of the youngest teams in the country.
So it’s worrying times for Dublin hurling supporters. And there isn’t much breathing space either, with a Galway challenge facing them next weekend.
Should they lose that, they will be plunged into a relegation scrap last round game against Laois. A Laois side who will be buoyed by their defeat of Antrim tonight.
If Dublin lost that game against Laois in O’Moore Park – they will be guaranteed a spot in a relegation play off with either Antrim or Offaly – Dublin have a worse points difference than both of these teams.
The way things are, none of those teams will fear Dublin.
A loss there would send them down to Division 2.
IMAGE CREDIT: RTE.ie.
For a hurling county like Dublin, to be facing such troubles is very worrying, even at these early stages.
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