Naughton: Dubs can spring a surprise

THE difference between the haves and have-nots in Dublin GAA is a stark one.

Last Sunday, over 78,000 patrons packed into Croke Park to see the footballers take on Meath in the Leinster SFC quarter-final. This evening, hurling boss Tommy Naughton hopes enough local supporters turn up in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, to help fill it for the Leinster SHC semi-final against Wexford.

A full house in Croker for a football quarter-final, half-full in Nowlan Park (with less than half the Croke Park capacity) for a hurling semi-final – there’s little doubt here which is the poor relation.

The irony is that the Dublin hurlers made more waves in the recent National Hurling League than the footballers, starting off with a draw with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, following up with wins over Galway and Limerick.

Unfortunately for Naughton and Dublin, after that impressive start they then went up to Belfast to take on Antrim in what, theoretically, was their easiest league game to date, and came a cropper.

Recalled Naughton: “We were beaten up there, simple as that. They were up for the game and deserved to win it. We were lucky to get out with just a four-point defeat. Whether or not we turned up on the night, they outhurled us.”

Outhurled Dublin to the point that Tommy believes Antrim could yet cause an upset or two in the championship, starting with Clare at the end of June.

“If they get things right they could surprise anyone up there, and with two home matches, you never know what will happen. They’re a young team which is getting better. They certainly taught us a lesson, you have to be able to deal with every situation as it arises and not look too far ahead.”

Looking to this evening, could it be that Dublin themselves are about to cause a surprise and turn over Wexford? “I don’t think it would be that much of a surprise,” he counters. “Wexford will be favourites, but I don’t think they’ll be hot favourites. I think myself it’s a 50/50, though we’ll have to play very well to beat them.”

Despite what happened at the tail end of the league, losing to Antrim, then losing by an even bigger margin to Tipperary in their final game, the players have recovered well.

The long break sense and an injury crisis has been a factor as well says Naughton.

“The break is a problem, it’s so long. You don’t know what the best approach is, really, whether through challenges or just training.

‘‘They’ve been playing with their clubs – we have a senior B championship up here which has to be completed shortly, because we’re starting up regional teams here who will then compete in the senior A championship.

‘‘The senior B championship is nearly over now and a good few of the players were involved in that. Training has gone well, but we’ve had a lot of injuries.

‘‘Most of the lads are back now but we had a lot of lads with hamstring injuries, groin strains, which is disruptive as they have to go away and get treatment. No-one seems to be able to pinpoint the reason. Maybe it was the extra-hard ground through April, but I get the impression it’s been the case with a lot of counties. The problems were not so much hurling injuries — belts across the hands, that sort of thing; it’s more pulls and strains. Fellas are able to train, but not at full pelt.”

The result of all that training will be on show this evening. Nowlan Park, it’s a bit of a trip for Dublin, the players and fans, but Naughton has no complaints. “It’s a lovely pitch, a great ground, though physically it’s a bit nearer Wexford than Dublin! But it’s a real hurling venue, and have no doubt it will be in top condition. We feel okay about going there.”

And are the crowd, boosted by the hurling-loving locals, anxious to get a look at their next victims (Kilkenny meet Offaly in the other semi-final on Sunday, in Portlaoise, but Kilkenny fans will be looking past that)? “Yeah, there will be a few, it will probably be a reasonable crowd. I’d be surprised if it isn’t, though I’m surprised now that they didn’t have the two semi-finals on together in Portlaoise, as a double-header. They normally do but for some reason they didn’t do it this year. They can afford to do that in Munster, bigger crowds, but I didn’t think it would happen here.”

And Dublin’s chances? “We’ll be there anyway,” he laughs.