2 days ago
Dublin hurlers need to keep foot down to find consistency
Dublin can be hurl as well as anybody at their best but need to find consistency, admits Daire Gray.
The Dubs face surprise Joe McDonagh Cup champions Kildare in an All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final in Newbridge on Saturday.
Dublin did have a chance to reach the Leinster final for the second year in succession but were beaten by Galway in their last group game, 0-29 to 3-15.
As in their four-point defeat to Kilkenny, the Dubs let the winners build up a big lead but finished strongly with two goals in the closing stages.
"When we are [like that], anyone takes a step back," defender Gray told RTÉ Sport of the late rally against Galway.
"When we're doing the things we talk about all the time, when we're playing our game the way we want to play it, you'd be very proud of the group.
"We have a few results to show for it. I suppose there's a couple of things that have been left behind us, but when the group's at its best, it's some feeling you're part of it.
"It's just about getting that the whole time, going into the end of the championship. The teams that are on top at the moment, they've probably put performances in as consistently as anybody, and they have something to show for it.
"I think we saw at the weekend there [ Kilkenny's Leinster final win over Galway ], and even throughout the group stages that if you take the foot off, you'll know about it very shortly. We were a victim to that as well. But it's just so relentless out there, you just have to be on it the whole time."
Dublin will be favoured to set up a quarter-final meeting with Munster runners-up Limerick but Gray is aware they are travelling to a Kildare side on the rise.
"It's a huge challenge ahead of us there, and it's one we're really looking forward to.
"Not every county is gearing up going training this week. We're very privileged to be in this position."
Niall Ó Ceallacháin is in his first season with the Dubs since leading Na Fianna to the club All-Ireland title but Gray insists there has been an easy adjustment under the county's first native manager in seven years.
"Niall made it his business to make sure that it was seamless and that we hit the ground running and we did," said the Whitehall Colmcille man.
"He was part of the Na Fianna set up and the Dublin set up at the same time so you see he's just hurling mad.
"When you see your management team bringing that passion, that drive and that ambition it comes right down to the players and we can all feel it.
"We have David Curtin from Ballyboden St Enda's. He's as passionate a Dublin hurling man as I've ever seen.
