We’ll knuckle down and get lads right for Kilkenny: Johnny McGuirk

Dublin’s minor hurlers face Kilkenny on Saturday week (May 14) in the Electric Ireland Leinster MHC semi-final in Parnell Park (3.0).

The Cats are attempting a provincial four in-a-row this year in Leinster so Johnny McGuirk’s men know the size of the task they face in this knock-out encounter.

The Dubs defeated Laois in their quarter-final last weekend (1-18 to 0-12) and will be looking to step it up again for the duel with Kilkenny.

The previous weekend the young Dubs were edged out by Wexford in extra-time but last Saturday’s display was certainly a move in the right direction.

“We took a greater number of our chances than we did against Wexford and that was pleasing and it helped us to get over the line on Saturday,” says Dublin manager Johnny McGuirk.

“I also thought that our backs were very solid throughout and we restricted Laois to a manageable total.

“The lads are starting to gel now having played two competitive championship matches in quick succession and that can only help with our chances going forward.

“However, it wasn’t the perfect performance by any means and there are certain areas that we need to work on.

“We certainly wouldn’t be getting carried away with either the result or the performance on Saturday, so it is time for us to knuckle down and get the lads right for Kilkenny.

“We will work hard to get them right for the semi-final but I think it is fair to say that we are still a work in progress at the minute.”

The other Leinster MHC semi-final pits Offaly against Wexford, also on May 14, in O'Connor Park, Tullamore (3.0).