We’re not here to make up numbers: Eoghan O’Donnell

Eoghan O'Donnell is fully focused on the fast-approaching Leinster SHC when the Dubs open their round-robin series of games against the recently crowned NHL1 champions, Kilkenny, in Parnell Park on May 13.

The young Whitehall Colmcille's man is not interested in listening to any talk of long-term plans for Dublin hurling - he is determined to make the most of the 'here and now'.

“We’ve a very short hurling career and we’re looking to win this year. We’re not here to make up numbers, and we feel a Leinster title and beyond that is in our grasp," says Eoghan.

Dublin reached this year's NHL1 quarter-finals after finishing in fourth spot in Division 1B and despite a brilliant opening against Tipp they tailed off long before the finish.

It is such displays that Eoghan finds frustrating and knows Pat Gilroy's men have to find greater consistency and resilience.

“This is more of a mental thing than physical attributes or skill level. Pat (Gilroy) is working mainly to get that confidence because it has been a low point, the last four or five years.

“We were an All-Ireland winning team in the first 10 minutes (against Tipp) and that is the standard we hold ourselves to.

“I got asked a question that you’ll be competing for third place in the (round-robin) group and I would refute that completely.

"We use the motivation of winning Leinster far more than we use the motivation of relegation.

“We would consider ourselves with the Limericks, Galways, Clares. This year, probably far more so than the football, it’s as competitive as you get and you probably couldn’t call who would win the All-Ireland.”

Pictured in attendance at the GUI National Headquarters to help mark the commencement of the 2018 AIG Cups & Shields season and to celebrate AIG’s 20th anniversary as a partner to the GUI and ILGU are AIG ambassadors Dean Rock and Eoghan O'Donnell. AIG revealed details of their ‘AIG Golfer Anniversary Sale’, where they are offering up to 20% off car insurance and up to 50% on home Insurance. For more details see www.aig.ie/golf