DUBLIN FOOTBALLER CIARAN Kilkenny harbours hopes of lining out for the Dublin senior hurlers in the 2014 campaign.
Kilkenny, a hugely promising dual player at minor level, is focused on the county’s senior football side this season.
But he is set to be part of the county’s U21 hurling squad this summer with Dublin facing Carlow in their Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 opener on June 11th.
And while Kilkenny has recovered from injury to be in the frame for Jim Gavin’s senior football squad that play Westmeath on Saturday week – June 1st – in Croke Park, he is hoping to line out at some stage for the county senior hurling side.
“I’d like to keep the hurling up because I have a great passion for it,” revealed Kilkenny, who was speaking at yesterday’s Opel Kit For Clubs launch.
“I’m going to college next year and I’ll have a bit of down-time and that could be an opportunity to play a bit of hurling and football.
“Next year that’d be something I’d be kind of interested in doing (for Dublin). I’ve always said to Jim (Gavin) that I’ve a love of hurling and football and I’ve kind of said this year I’d give my priorities to the footballers because I’m just back from Australia and involved in a new job (with Aer Lingus on an internship).
“I’d concentrate on that and play a bit of hurling with the club and U21′s. So that’s my priority for this year but I’m not ruling out in future that I’d could play dual.”
Dublin’s Ciaran Kilkenny.
Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Kilkenny also revealed that he has regained fitness after damaging his medial ligament in a league game against Tyrone in March.
“I was out for 5/6 weeks. It was an impact injury I suffered against Tyrone. It was medial ligaments. I did the rehab and it’s easy enough to come back from.
“It was a nice injury to get as I’ve a sister who did two of her cruciate ligaments. I couldn’t really sleep that night (before the scan) so I was lucky I didn’t get the cruciate. Touch wood I won’t get that in future.
“In hindsight it’s probably good for me as I personally feel fresh. I’ve been so much on the go over the last few years between club, county, school and Australia as well. I got to play games for the club over the last few weeks and I’m available for selection now.”
