We want to retain Delaney Cup: JIm Gavin

Fri, 8th July 2016

Dublin's senior footballers will be attempting to win their sixth Leinster SFC in-a-row on Sunday week - a feat last achieved by the legendary team of the 70s (1974-79).

Jim Gavin and his men will be as motivated as ever to retain their grip on the Delaney Cup when they face Westmeath in the provincial decider.

“These boys are passionate about the Leinster Championship. They want to retain the Delaney Cup. It’s something that they’ve spoken about. It means a lot to them," says Jim Gavin.

“And I’m sure it means a lot to…people in Athlone, Moate, Mullingar – they’ll be travelling to Dublin to see their boys go home with the cup so it means as much to us as it does Westmeath.”

News from the camp is that Eoghan O'Gara - who made his comeback from injury in the quarter-final against Laois off the bench but did not feature against Meath last day out - is 100 per cent fit.

"Eoghan is good. He trained a full session two nights ago so, yeah, he's back on track. He did a bit of training with the club as well recently so, yeah, he's 100 per cent fit."

Reflecting on the Leinster semi-final victory over Meath the Dublin boss says conversion rate is one aspect of their play that the Dubs have subsequently honed in on.

“I thought against Meath, particularly in the opening quarter, we created a lot of chances, they played with nearly 13 men behind the ball," adds Jim.

“But we still created scoring opportunities; we didn’t take them which was the disappointing thing. That’s what we’ve been working on, on the training park over the last while.

“So if we can tighten up that end of it, I think the performances will improve.”