Ger Cunningham takes Wexford victory in his stride

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup final - Dublin 1-22 Wexford 1-12: Dublin boss Ger Cunningham played down the significance of beating Wexford to silverware at Croke Park, five months before the teams return there in the Championship. 

Privately, Cunningham perhaps had one eye on the Leinster quarter-final as he detailed captain Liam Rushe for a man marking role on Liam Óg McGovern, requiring Rushe to play in the full-back position. But, on the record, the Cork man insisted what happens in January will have very little bearing on the Championship.

There’ll certainly be personnel changes between now and then with Dublin fielding just eight of the team that started last year’s All- Ireland quarter-final defeat to Waterford. Paul Ryan’s 10 points — and his 4-30 haul across their five-games — perhaps convinced Cunningham he deserves a regular starting place while Eamon Dillon, who sniped 1-1, blasted 5-12 throughout January.