Saturday’s rematch against Wexford is totally different: minor hurling manager Mike Connolly

Dublin minor hurlers are planning on going at least one step further than the U21s when they face Wexford in this Saturday's Leinster MHC semi-final at Wexford Park (3.0).

The counties met already during the round-robin section when four points from impressive midfielder Donal Leavy helped the Dubs to a 0-16 to 1-10 victory over the Slaneysiders at Parnell Park.

Last weekend the Dubs defeated Antrim, 3-16 to 0-4, in their provincial quarter-final after putting in a strong second half.

Dara Purcell and Luke Swan got first half goals as Dublin led 2-3 to 0-3 at the break before opening up in the second period as sub Seamus Fenton scored 1-3.

“I thought that we were alright and I suppose it was a match that we were always in control of without being particularly good," says Dublin manager Mike Connolly when reflecting on the win over Antrim.

“It’s a match that is done with now and it was good to get a nice start with the early goal as it settled us into the game.

“Antrim got very little return for some decent amounts of possession that they had and in the second-half we just managed to pull away from them.

“There are plenty of lads with ability there and we have used a decent number of players in the championship this year.

“That shows to me that there’s a lot of hurling in Dublin at this time and it is creating depth that will hopefully serve the county well in the future,” adds Mike.

Looking ahead to this Saturday's away clash with Wexford Mike stresses: “I don’t think there’s any connection between our win last month and Saturday’s match.

“There wasn’t that much at stake the last day while this is a totally different set of circumstances.

“This is a proper test of where we are and the knock-out manner of it makes it a real championship match with all the intensity and anticipation that brings to it.

“That’s what people want to see and we’re really looking forward to the cut and thrust of what Saturday’s match will bring.”