Rushe protects himself from ‘poison’ of hype

DUBLIN hurler Liam Rushe believes the escalating media hype surrounding the league champions is ‘poison’.

Rushe is adamant that Anthony Daly’s charges need to guard against complacency ahead of Sunday’s Leinster championship opener against Offaly with some pundits touting them as All-Ireland contenders.

Rushe said: “I wouldn’t be one for reading the papers. It’s poison, it messes with your head if you’re going to read reports or listen to people telling you you’re going to win and how you’re going to do well.

“Listening to Cyril Farrell telling you that you’ll be in the All-Ireland final — you have to take it all with a pinch of salt. (Stephen) Hiney said it as well. Good man, Hiney! We’re going to take every match as it comes.”

Rushe revealed Dublin had no problems in shifting the focus to championship after their spectacular league success.

He said: “We got our feet back on the ground fairly quickly. There were eight of us in UCD starting exams on the following Tuesday and I think the next Wednesday we had club championship. That was that pretty much parked.

“It was great to win and get silverware but it’s bookended now and we’re focusing on Offaly. People have been reading too much into it as Kilkenny got to the final with a ridiculous injury list. There’s a massive difference between the league and championship and we know we’re going to have to raise our game so much to get over Offaly.

“We have to forget the league or it will only hold us back. It’s vital we win. Last year was a disaster and the year before. We’ve let ourselves down in the championship and need a good run this year.”