Next opponent will be a step up: Paddy Andrews

Thu, 21st July 2016

Dublin forward Paddy Andrews says the Dubs will need to move up through the gears as they prepare for the knockout stage in the All-Ireland SFC series.

The Dubs are in All-Ireland SFC quarter-final action on Saturday, August 6 (opponents to be confirmed) but the St Brigid’s man is adamant that the quality of their displays to date this summer will not suffice next day out.

“Whoever we come across the next day is going to be a step up from what we’ve faced so far in the Championship.

“We’ve got to improve because what we’ve done so far won’t be good enough for the rest of the season,” says Paddy.

Paddy is optimistic that flying wing-back James McCarthy will have overcome injury in time for their last-eight encounter in Croke Park.

“Look, James is a real quality player, the form he has been in throughout this season especially, and even last season, he is a real leader for us, he is a key player for us.

“It’s great that the injury is only a bit of a bang and we are hopefully he will be back for the next day in a couple of weeks’ time.

“It wasn’t as bad as was initially feared, or anything like that, which was great, because having lost Jack (McCaffrey) and Rory (O’Carroll), you don’t want to lose quality players as much as any of the other teams.

“We are hoping to have James back the next day because he is a key player for us.”