Preparations have gone well: Dublin U21 manager Johnny McGuirk

Dublin U21 hurling manager Johnny McGuirk is anticipating a right battle with Kilkenny in Wednesday night’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21HC quarter-final in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny (7.30).

The Dubs are the reigning provincial holders but the Dublin boss knows his side will have to be at their best.

“Of course, the draw could have been a bit easier for us but I’m sure that Kilkenny would feel the same way.

“We knew what the draw was a fair while back so we have had time to prepare for Kilkenny and the challenge and problems that they will offer.

“That is the way this championship is, if you have any ambitions of going far in the competition, you’ll have to come up against some decent teams and beat them.

“No doubt they have a decent team and going down to Nowlan Park is a tough place to go but the lads are in good form and we are really looking forward to heading down there and putting in a strong, positive performance.

“We are very happy in the camp with how preparations have gone and we are expecting a tough, physical battle.

“We have plenty of players with recent experience of beating Kilkenny in championship hurling and I firmly believe that we have the talent to get a positive result.

“It’s going to be tough but it’s a match that we are all excited about and hopefully we’ll get the right result,” concluded Johnny.