We face a massive battle: Mattie Kenny

Cuala manager Mattie Kenny knows his side are in for a “massive battle” in this Saturday’s AIB All-Ireland club SHC semi-final against Derry’s Slaughtneil in the Gaelic Grounds, Armagh (3.0).

Slaughtneil have already taken out one Dublin side, St Vincent’s, in their search for the All-Ireland double and the Cuala boss says his men will have to be at their best.

“Slaughtneil are having a great season. They’re on a great run. We respect that. It’s going to be a massive battle and they’re going to be very hard to beat.”

The Dalkey men have prepared well for Saturday’s duel but still it is 12 weeks since their Leinster final success when beating Kilkenny’s O’Loughlin Gaels.

“It gave us an opportunity over the Christmas period to get a bit of a break.

“Our guys had been through 2016, winning the Dublin Championship and the Leinster Championship.

“So we took a break over the Christmas period and we started in January preparing for this game,” adds Mattie

“But we’re looking forward to it now. It won’t be easy.

“And we’re hoping that everyone in Cuala, South Dublin and everyone else in the Dublin area comes out and supports the team.”

FRIENDS OF DUBLIN HURLING BUS TO ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINAL

Friends of Dublin Hurling are running a bus to Armagh this Saturday for the All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final between Cuala and Slaughtneil.

Depart Connolly Station at 12.30 and The Premier Inn Airside Retail Park at 1pm.

To book a seat text name and pick up point to 0872331983 by 6pm Thursday.