DOTSY O’CALLAGHAN hopes that a competitive panel will help Dublin avoid a second-season slump.
Hurling fever swept the capital last summer as the Dubs won their first Leinster title in 52 years before losing to Cork in a thrilling All-Ireland semi.
That has raised expectations and Anthony Daly’s side will hope not only to retain their provincial crown, but to go all the way and lift Liam MacCarthy this September.
It would bridge a gap that stretches back to 1938, the most recent of Dublin’s six senior hurling titles.
O’Callaghan knows that they have failed to build on a successful season too often in the past, especially in 2012 when they suffered the double blow of relegation and an early Championship exit the year after winning the league title.
But things have changed since that false dawn.
“I suppose maybe it was a bit of a lack of experience,” O’Callaghan says. “Maybe we weren’t used to certain things as well.
To be honest, I just don’t think it’s an issue at this stage. After last year, after getting the bit of success that we got, I think everyone is hungry for it now.
“I suppose there’s a lot of lads even who were on the panel last year and didn’t see as much action as others and they’re mad to play, mad to get out there and show they can do it.
“There’s good drive in the panel at the moment and lads just want to train, want to put the head down, and really push on as well.
“There’s good craic around the training as well. Everybody’s just putting their head down and wanting to put their hands up for a place.”
O’Callaghan, far right, with (L-R) ladies footballer Sinead Goldrick, footballer Philly McMahon and camogie star Ali Twomey at the AIG launch of Dublin’s 2014 season (Sportsfile / Stephen McCarthy)
That competition was evident in the Walsh Cup win against UCD earlier this week. O’Callaghan was one of seven survivors from the defeat against Cork, though he came off at half-time as “a precaution” with a hamstring niggle.
Barry Connolly, son of Galway great Joe, is one of the most notable newcomers while former All-Star Alan McCrabbe has also returned to the panel.
The coming weeks will see plenty of chopping and changing but Daly and his management team have made it clear that every jersey is up for grabs.
“I’m sure the management will be looking at that throughout the year and trying to come up with the best formula and the best team.
I suppose everyone wants some degree of a settled team but it will all come down to who is showing up well. The management have laid that out to us – that whoever is performing and showing up well in training and games will be the one who gets the jersey.
Everyone in our squad knows that now so it’s something to aim for.
With a wounded Kilkenny looming large in Leinster, and more competition among the top hurling counties in general, O’Callaghan knows that Dublin will have to improve again if they are to feature.
He adds: “We won’t be taken for granted anyway. We’ve had substantial success to some degree with a national league and a Leinster championship.
“I think it’s going to be a fairly competitive environment this year, no doubt about it, so I don’t think anybody will be taking anybody for granted at this stage.”
