Competition heats up for high-scoring senior hurlers

Dublin's senior hurlers face Wexford this Saturday in Croke Park in the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup final (5.0), the curtain-raiser to the NFL clash of the Dubs and Kerry (7.0), and competition for places in Ger Cunningham's starting 15 is already heating up this early in the season.

Dublin have amassed an impressive scoring tally of 10-88 in their four games en route to Croker with 17 players contributing to that tally, Paul Ryan is currently out in front on 4-21 (1-0 penalty, 0-17 frees).

The Ballyboden St Enda's sharpshooter is followed in the scoring rankings by the in-form Eamonn Dillon on 4-11, and the dynamic Nh Fionnbarra forward was unlucky not to have scored a few more goals in Dublin's 2-20 to 1-9 victory over Laois in Round 3 of the competition a couple of weekends back.

However, one of Dublin's most influential performers against Galway in the semi-final was a man who might have only scored 0-1 but linked the play excellently and kept his side on the front foot, Daire Plunkett.

"Pace in the modern game is crucial. And he has bundles of that," says Dublin manager Ger Cunningham of Daire.

“But he has a very good hurling brain as well. There’s areas that he’s got to work on but I think overall we’re delighted to have him and his attitude is really good at the moment.

“He came back last year after a bad hand injury and played a great part in our victory over Limerick.

“So it was good for him and he has the possibility to stake a claim now in the side and he’s working hard.”

Dublin's top-scorer against the Tribesmen was David Treacy, who lined out at half-forward, and contributed 0-12 (0-6f, 0-2 '65', 0-1 sideline).

“He played a similar role with Cuala,” adds Ger.“David Treacy is a very good hurler and I think the run with Cuala has benefitted him big time.

“He’s in good form at the moment and his confidence is good.”