Emer’s Dubs ready

ITS been six weeks since Leinster champions Dublin last played a competitive minor hurling game, but that doesn’t worry team official Emer Duignan ahead of tonight’s All-Ireland MHC semi-final against Cork in Portlaoise (7pm).

Duignan has been involved with this group of players since their U-14 days and isn’t surprised by the growth of hurling in the capital.

“We have been putting development squads together in Dublin for a number of years now and when I was asked to get involved I readily agreed,” said the St Vincent’s club member.

“Having a woman in charge hasn’t caused any problems for the lads. In fact I think they like the idea. We have been together as a group with a few exceptions for four years now, so we would have built up a mutual respect for each other.”

With an All-Ireland minor title under their belt for 2005, Dublin are looking to add another. They came through Leinster with ease, defeating Wexford and Kilkenny, the latter in the final, by nine points.

Continued Duignan: “We knew after that victory that we have a serious team on our hands, but after watching Cork annihilate Galway last Sunday, it’s going to take an exceptional performance by our lads to win this game.”

Cork coach Don Cronin would have preferred at least another week to recover from Sunday, but without any serious injury worries, is confident his side can continue on their winning way.

The only change on the Dublin team from that which beat Kilkenny 2-14 to 1-10 in the Leinster final sees Alan McMullan come in to partner Darren Whelan at midfield.