Injury-hit Dublin facing concerns over All-Star Sutcliffe and Burke 

Dublin hurling manager Niall O Ceallachain didn't give specifics in either case though acknowledged the influential duo came off with injuries

SLIDING IN: Offaly goalkeeper Mark Troy is tackled by Danny Sutcliffe of Dublin during the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1 match between Dublin and Offaly at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Dublin hurling manager Niall O Ceallachain has confirmed fresh injuries to key attacking duo Donal Burke and Danny Sutcliffe.

Former All-Star Sutcliffe and forward colleague Burke were both taken off with apparent injuries during Dublin's 1-25 to 2-19 Leinster SHC win over Offaly.

Boss O Ceallachain didn't give specifics in either case though acknowledged they came off with injuries.

The 2013 provincial winners will play their second consecutive home game at Parnell Park when they host Wexford in Round 2 next Saturday.

"They were both new injuries," said O Ceallachain. "I don't know the extent of them yet so we'll just have to see for next week. I don't actually know as things stand."

Dublin summoned a storming final few minutes this evening to steal the two points and to gain a little bit of revenge on Offaly. Back in February, a late Dan Ravenhill score pinched victory for Offaly at Dublin's expense in Division 1B of the National League, effectively costing Dublin promotion.

Dublin trailed by three points entering the 68th minute this time around but proceeded to reel off 1-4 to Offaly's 0-1 to force a six-point swing on the scoreboard.

"Just relieved is the honest emotion there," said O Ceallachin. "It was nip and tuck all the way through. I thought we hurled well for periods and then there were periods where Offaly were well on top and showed great character as well.

"They found big scores at crucial times, a couple of goals, and that felt like sucker blows to us. I suppose the overwhelming feeling is just pride in the last seven or eight minutes to show the character we did when there was a lot going against us.

"We were able to up the energy levels, up the work rate, up the aggression, up the intensity. I thought we finished out the game really, really well and saw it out well."

O Ceallachain praised Ronan Hayes who hit 1-1 of Dublin's late 1-4.

"He also made a less heralded intervention there, he won a crucial ball around the middle in the last minute or two when it looked like it might end up in a three-on-one and somehow he killed the ball," said the All-Ireland club title winning Na Fianna boss.

"Ronan, over the last couple of years from an injury perspective, has had it extremely, extremely tough. But it was a special day for him, I thought he was excellent."

Offaly will have to quickly regroup before the arrival of Galway in Tullamore next weekend. Manager Johnny Kelly was pleased with his side's overall performance against Dublin.

"From this game, they might have got some belief from the display but it doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to perform next weekend so we've to be very careful," said Kelly. "Galway are a good, solid team as well and they will come to Tullamore and want to lay down a marker next weekend so we'll have to address that and bring the same fire and enthusiasm as we did today into that game."