DUBLIN MANAGER GER Cunningham was pleased to see Ryan O’Dwyer back on the pitch last night.
The Kilmacud Crokes clubman suffered a vicious assault in England late last year but after returning to training last month, the Tipperary native returned to competitive fare as a substitute in last night’s victory over Wexford at Croke Park.
O’Dwyer marked his comeback with a point and he was one of 11 Dublin scorers on a productive night at GAA HQ.
Cunningham revealed: “He’s been itching to get back in, he’s been hounding the doctors as to when he can get back in playing.
“He’s coming back after a serious injury and he has a huge passion for the game.
“It’s just great to have him back in the dressing room. We need his physicality and what he brings to the table.
“It’s been great – the same for Paul Schutte and Niall Corcoran as well, they’ve come back in after long-term injuries and we still have a few more out.
“That’s why you need the panel that you have and trying to find a few new fellas.”
Paul Schutte also got some game time under his belt last night after being introduced but Cunningham revealed that Peter Kelly and Cian Boland won’t make the Leinster SHC semi-final against Kilkenny on 11 June.
Cunningham confirmed: “Peter Kelly won’t be back, Cian Boland won’t be back. They’re still a few weeks away.”
Cunningham has described the Kilkenny showdown as “the ultimate challenge” for his group.
And he insisted that vast improvement is needed to tackle the Leinster and All-Ireland champions.
“Yeah, that’s the ultimate challenge really.
“These guys have been champions for the guts of the last 10 or 12 years.
It’s a huge challenge for us, but any of the guys inside in the dressing-room will hopefully look forward to it and take on the challenge of what’s ahead.
“Some aspects (from) tonight won’t be good enough to go to Portlaoise and beat Kilkenny, so there’s stuff we’ll have to work on – but just delighted to be in a position to take them on.”
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