1. Stability for Dublin hurling
Last night’s confirmation that Anthony Daly will be steering the fortunes of the Dublin senior hurling side in 2014 means he will be at the helm for a sixth successive campaign.
In the modern world of inter-county senior hurling, Daly’s reign stands out. Brian Cody is the only current inter-county senior hurling manager who has been at the helm for a longer period.
Daly’s reappointment provides stability for Dublin hurling. Given the glowing admiration displayed by the Dublin players for Daly, it is clear that their camp will be a happy and united one as they commence their 2014 preparations.
2. Building on the progress of 2013
In the wake of Dublin’s loss to Cork in last month’s All-Ireland semi-final, Daly was inevitably asked about his own future.
He spoke about how it was not right to ‘make decisions in sad dressing rooms’ and that he would weigh things up before announcing his intentions.
He has opted to stay on amidst the backdrop of a season where they did not land the Holy Grail in an incredibly open championship. But that should not conceal the undeniable progress that was made in 2013.
The Walsh Cup and the Division 1B league title ensured silverware was collected early in the season but it was the lifting of the Bob O’Keeffe Cup in July that will command the headlines.
Winning a first Leinster senior hurling title in 52 years was a magnificent feat that deserved to be recognised and entitled Daly to another stab in 2014. It ensures there is progress to be built on next year.
Pic: INPHO
3. Being consistent in the championship arena
An undesirable trait in the Daly era with Dublin has been the mixed fortunes they have endured from season to season. Consider that in 2009 they reached a Leinster final but the following year bowed out in the qualifiers to Antrim in July.
In 2011 they won the Division 1 league crown, contested a Leinster decider and gave the reigning All-Ireland champions at the time Tipperary a stern test in August.
But in 2012 they were thrashed by Kilkenny in the championship and lost to a 14-man Clare team when they coughed up a five-point advantage in the second-half in Ennis.
While 2013 was laden with silverware and featured significant steps forward, it must not precede regression in 2014. Daly and Dublin will be aware of that.
4.Benefiting from a stronger test in the league
Last spring Dublin were able to plan their challenge for the league around two games. Firstly there was the March clash against Limerick in Croke Park and then the April Division 1B decider that they were confident they would be participating in.
That significance of that final victory over Limerick in Thurles, and the worth of Joey Boland’s match-winning point, will only be properly appreciated next spring.
The benefits that Clare and Cork accrued from being exposed to top-level hurling have been plain to see this summer. Daly will hope that Dublin can make similar gains as they rub shoulders with elite teams in Division 1A.
Pic: INPHO
5. Developing the squad and the dual player question
Like every manager in the country, Daly will be hoping to enhance his Dublin squad for the 2014 season. Players like Eamon Dillon, Mark Schutte, Chris Crummy and Sean McGrath will be earmarked for development in order to increase their array of options.
While the dual player issue is also likely to crop up. Ciaran Kilkenny is the flag-bearer in this regard having openly spoken of his ambition to play senior hurling and football for the county at some juncture.
Whether that materialises remains to be seen but it does seem an option worth pursing. It will also be interesting to observe whether young footballers like Cormac Costello or Eric Lowndes can be lured into the hurling camp.
Galway and Dublin seem to have the same trend lately,one good year followed by a poor one
Why do I feel he only did this because he was tipped off that John Allen will stay on as Limerick manager. John Allen’s future will be known tonight. Discuss.
Your a fountain of knowledge ! Allen steps down !
Nothing to discuss!
My hands held high.