Galway champions poise a huge challenge: Cuala’s Darragh O’Connell

Cuala dynamo Darragh O'Connell is hoping that Mattie Kenny's men can stay on their winning streak when they face Galway champions, Liam Mellows, in Saturday's AIB All-Ireland club SHC semi-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles (4.0).

The Dalkey men are the reigning All-Ireland champions and before Christmas created history by becoming the first Dublin club with capture back-to-back provincial hurling titles.

Dublin's representatives impressed when defeating Offaly's Kilcormac/Killoughey 1-23 to 1-9 in the Leinster final but they face a far stiffer test this weekend.

“You look at the Galway club’s record in this championship and you look how competitive the Galway championship is," says Darragh O'Connell.

“Any club side that comes out of Galway, they’ve always challenged for honours and Liam Mellows are going to be no different, they pose a huge challenge on Saturday.

“I suppose it's like anything, you're just trying to take it one game at a time.

"You're not looking ahead because if you look ahead you'll get caught somewhere along the line," adds the Cuala midfielder.

“We're just trying to get ourselves focused on getting ourselves physically and mentally ready for the next game.

"I think that's just been it, really, there hasn't been any secret to it.

“It's just about focusing on the now and trying to get better in every training session and then bring it into the games at the weekend.”

Limerick's Na Piarsaigh face Derry's Slaughtneil in the other semi-final on Saturday (Parnell Park, 2.0).

FRIENDS OF DUBLIN HURLING: Bus to support Cuala

This Saturday Cuala play Liam Mellows in the All-Ireland club semi final at 4pm at Thurles. Friends of Dublin Hurling will run a supporters bus to the game departing Connolly Station at 1.15 and Rathcoole Village at 1.45 pm. To book a seat text your name and pick up point to 0872331983 by 6pm Thursday.