We used league to deepen squad for championship: Mattie Kenny

Tue, 3rd March 2020

Dublin hurling manager Mattie Kenny is happy that he got game-time into a large number of players ahead of this summer's Leinster SHC.

The Dubs concluded their HL Division 1 Group B campaign when losing to Clare in Ennis last weekend and will not be in competitive action again until May 10 when they host Kilkenny in Parnell Park.

The bad news from Dublin's League conclusion was confirmation that Chris Crummey will be sidelined for 12 weeks or so after suffering a broken collarbone against Wexford in the previous round of games.

"We used the League to get a lot of game-time into lads, we achieved that. Last year we felt in the League that we didn't give enough exposure to some players," said Mattie.

"Come championship, they hadn't got the opportunities and maybe it held us back a little bit in the summer as it went on.

“We blooded a few guys again there and we said we'd use the League to get a stronger squad for the Championship, every day we made four or five changes.

"The League is finished for us but we're looking forward to keep building and push on and that when we're out in the championship in May, we'll be fresher and get the benefit of all the guys we've given game-time to during the League." added Mattie.

"The League started very early this year and not to have competitive matches between now and May is odd, like yesterday was February.

“The League is over very early and it'd be nice to have a couple of games coming up in March but that's the format and that's what we have to deal with now.

"We've three weeks of hard work to get through before we release them to the club for April."