Ger Cunningham encouraged by early season form

Dublin hurling manager, Ger Cunningham, is looking forward to Sunday's Bord na Mona Walsh Cup clash with Laois in Rathdowney (2.0).

His Dublin side have beaten both UCD and Antrim in their opening two encounters of the new season and this weekend's clash with dictate who progresses to the knockout stages.

Ger was happy with last Sunday's victory over the Glensmen when Dublin improved in the second half to run out comfortable winners.

"It was a cold day for hurling, but I think the guys did well - it's early in the year and we have a tough test next week to go to Laois.

"It's great to be hurling, considering the bad weather and the start to the year to play two good matches in four or five days, so being honest it is a good work-out," said Ger.

The Dublin boss has been encouraged by the early season form of forward Eamonn Dillon, who hit 1-3 against Antrim in an attack that scored 3-25 with Paul Ryan contributing 1-10 (0-7).

"I think once Eamonn's goal went in (45th minute) that was the game for us at that stage and we were were going to pull away.

"He's very good in that situation when he gets inside and he scored one goal today and two on Thursday night (against UCD) which is good for his confidence," concludes Ger.

Wednesday 13^th January 2016

Duggan Park Ballinasloe (7.00) Galway v NUI Galway

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Tony Carroll (Offaly)

MW Hire Training Centre, Dunmore (7.30) Kilkenny v DIT

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Pat Murphy (Carlow)

Saturday 16^th January 2016

O Connor Park, Tullamore (2.00) Lusmagh (Offaly) v Glenmore (Kilkenny)

AIB Leinster Club JHC Final Ref: Michael Murtagh (Iarmhi)

The Dub Sports Centre (Queens) (3.00) Antrim v UCD

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Kevin Brady (Louth)

Sunday 17^th January 2016

Glennon Bros Pearse Park, Longford (2.00) Longford v Dublin

Bord na Mona O Byrne Cup Semi Final Ref: John Hickey (Carlow)

Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda (2.00) Louth v Meath

Bord na Mona O Byrne Cup Semi Final Ref: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)

(Extra time in Bord na Mona O Byrne Cup Semi Finals – if necessary)

Birr (2.00) Offaly v Kilkenny

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Alfie Devine (Westmeath)

Rathdowney (2.00) Laois v Dublin

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Michael O Sullivan (Kilkenny)

Netwatch Cullen Park Carlow (2.00) Carlow v Wexford

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: John Kennedy (Kilkenny)

Dunganny (2.00) Meath v IT Carlow

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Antoin Keating (Dublin)

Cusack Park, Mullingar (2.00) Westmeath v Galway

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: David Hughes (Carlow)

St. Clares Grounds, DCU (2.00) DCU v NUI Galway

Bord na Mona Walsh Cup SH Ref: Killian Jones (Kildare)

Newtownforbes (2.00) Longphort v St. Patricks College

Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup SH Ref: Michael Murtagh (Westmeath)

Hawkfield (2.00) Kildare v Trinity College

Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup SH Ref: Brian O Leary (Wexford)

Bray Emmetts GAA(2.00) Wicklow v Maynooth University

Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup SH Ref: Barry Redmond (Wexford)

Darver (2.00) Louth v Fingal

Bord na Mona Kehoe Cup SH Ref: Tom Anderson (Offaly)