‘IT’S PURE CONSTIPATED hurling’.
That was the eloquent verdict of former Clare All-Ireland winning boss Ger Loughnane last night on Dublin’s performance in their Leinster hurling championship quarter-final.
Anthony Daly’s side finished up all square with Wexford at 1-17 apiece in their quarter-final clash in Wexford Park after Jack Guiney converted a late free for the Model County.
But it was a game that Dublin, the warm pre-match favorites, struggled in as they faded particularly during the second-half.
On The Saturday Game Live on RTE after the match, Loughnane gave his summation of Dublin’s performance.
“It’s pure constipated hurling. They’re so inhibited in everything they do. Look at Conal Keaney, remember that display two years in the league final against Kilkenny. The zip they had in them that day, that’s totally gone out of them.
“Their confidence is shattered after last year. That was so like the game in Ennis last year for a long time. Taking off your main forwards, terrible wides, the very same pattern.
“It is the biggest test for Anthony Daly between now and next Saturday night to get them psychologically right. I think if they are psychologically right, they’ll win the replay.”
Pic. RTE.ie
Former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner Eddie Brennan agreed with Loughnane in his thoughts on Dublin.
“It’s almost as if they’re afraid to go and hurl, let themselves express themselves. It’s like as if they’re nearly afraid to make a mistake. Sometimes you have to make a mistake and just throw off that bit of nervousness and have a go.”
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