Mature Dublin moving on up

THERE was much to admire in the way Dublin hurlers handled the challenge put their way yesterday.

For an emerging side like Dublin, days like yesterday are all about getting through: they will have known that far from fearing the newly-crowned league champions, Offaly would have relished the opportunity to test their mettle.

It will take a few more years yet before Offaly go into matches against Dublin believing they don’t have a chance.