LIAM RUSHE FEELS Anthony Daly’s call to start him against Wexford was not a risk, but rather his manager “playing it safe”.
The 24-year-old centre back carried a hamstring injury into last weekend’s semi final, but was deemed too important to leave out by the Dublin manager.
“Maybe he wanted the more experienced players on the pitch,” explained Rushe, who acknowledged his manager did take a few chances with his selections.
“There were 25,000 people down in Wexford Park, the majority of them Wexford fans baying for blood. He probably needed the few calmer heads, even if we weren’t match fit.
“I don’t know were they risks, he just probably played it safe.”
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Wexford fans turned in expectation of an upset. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Both Rush and full forward Conal Keaney came in to the game as injury doubts, but both played 70 minutes in their team’s five point win.
While Keaney managed five points from play, Rushe seemingly struggled at times. The two time All-Star was nonetheless happy with the outcome.
“If you’d offered us a five point win beforehand, I’d have taken your hand off especially since Wexford are improving and they’d been hyping themselves in the press.
“Performance wise, it left a little bit to be desired. We certainly didn’t hit our top level. There were a few weak wides.”
Rushe after last year's Leinster final. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Dublin now go into their fourth Leinster final in six years, in search of back to back provincial titles for the first time since 1942.
“A lot of us would take it for granted, or expect it when we came in having had minor or U21 success. It’s nice to replicate it at senior. Based on consistency, it shows we should be taken serious as a hurling county.
Despite the highs of last summer Dublin struggled through Division 1A of the league, and a play off victory over Waterford saved them from relegation.
“We felt things were pretty high intensity in training. From the results there in the league there certainly wasn’t that much of a lull.
“We’re happy to have got such a testing game against Wexford, especially given the conditions. It was such a warm night, we had to go to the depths of energy for it.”
Anthony Daly's team are now focused on the Leinster final. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Dublin now await the winner of this weekend’s semi final between Kilkenny and Galway in the Leinster final.
“I’m going to tell you we’re focusing 100% on ourselves, but I’m looking forward to watching that game as a spectacle and seeing what Galway produce.
“Kilkenny are a dangerous animal and are probably back to their best.”
Liam Rushe: 'We probably needed the few calmer heads, even if we weren't match fit'
LIAM RUSHE FEELS Anthony Daly’s call to start him against Wexford was not a risk, but rather his manager “playing it safe”.
The 24-year-old centre back carried a hamstring injury into last weekend’s semi final, but was deemed too important to leave out by the Dublin manager.
“Maybe he wanted the more experienced players on the pitch,” explained Rushe, who acknowledged his manager did take a few chances with his selections.
“There were 25,000 people down in Wexford Park, the majority of them Wexford fans baying for blood. He probably needed the few calmer heads, even if we weren’t match fit.
Both Rush and full forward Conal Keaney came in to the game as injury doubts, but both played 70 minutes in their team’s five point win.
While Keaney managed five points from play, Rushe seemingly struggled at times. The two time All-Star was nonetheless happy with the outcome.
“Performance wise, it left a little bit to be desired. We certainly didn’t hit our top level. There were a few weak wides.”
Dublin now go into their fourth Leinster final in six years, in search of back to back provincial titles for the first time since 1942.
Despite the highs of last summer Dublin struggled through Division 1A of the league, and a play off victory over Waterford saved them from relegation.
“We felt things were pretty high intensity in training. From the results there in the league there certainly wasn’t that much of a lull.
Dublin now await the winner of this weekend’s semi final between Kilkenny and Galway in the Leinster final.
“I’m going to tell you we’re focusing 100% on ourselves, but I’m looking forward to watching that game as a spectacle and seeing what Galway produce.
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Championship 2014 All-Ireland Senior HC GAA Risk Dublin Kilkenny