Five challenges facing Mattie Kenny as Dublin hurling manager
Tuesday 6 November 2018 13:52, UK
Following Mattie Kenny's appointment as Dublin senior hurling manager, we take a look at five challenges facing the Galway native.
The announcement has caused a great deal of hype within the small ball community in the capital. Kenny led Cuala to back-to-back All-Ireland titles and was a key part of the Tribesmen's backroom team when they pushed Kilkenny all the way in 2012.
Nonetheless, there are several issues which must be addressed in order for Kenny to lead the Dubs to success in the coming three years.
Can he get the best hurlers in the county to line out?
Many of the county's top stars walked away during Ger Cunningham's reign, and while Pat Gilroy's stint in charge saw several return, there are still intercounty-standard hurlers not in the squad. Con O'Callaghan and Mark Schutte appear to be committed to Jim Gavin's footballers, but it may not be outside the realms of possibility that Kenny could tempt one to the hurlers given the already-established working relationship at Cuala.
Will he convince Conal Keaney to remain?
Liam Rushe recently spoke of the importance of retaining the services of Conal Keaney, before the veteran retires for the second time. Keaney showed in the 2018 Leinster Championship that he still has much to offer in the autumn of his career, and his 0-04 haul in the county final for Ballyboden suggests he will be a key man for Dublin in 2019, should he make himself available at 36.
Can new stars be blooded in?
Cunningham's reign may be largely reflected upon as a disappointing one, but it could yet prove to have a lasting legacy. The Corkonian integrated youth into the side, particularly in his final two seasons.
The Dubs won provincial titles at minor and U21 in 2016, and this year captured the minor title once again. There is no shortage of talent emerging from the conveyor belt, which never stalled in recent seasons despite the senior team's struggles.
Kenny faces a task of incorporating youth into the squad, while also delivering results.
Can Kenny maintain the momentum of the Pat Gilroy era?
There was a feel-good factor once again restored to Dublin hurling in 2018, despite the fact that no tangible results were delivered. Gilroy wrote off the league to ensure progress, casting the net wide and giving everyone a chance. Meanwhile many of the county's prodigal sons returned to the fold.
The Sky Blues lost three Leinster games to Kilkenny, Wexford and Galway by an aggregate of five points. With such tight margins, things could have been so different if their luck was in.
The foundations are laid, and while a new manager will always look to put his own stamp on proceedings, Kenny doesn't need to completely rip up the script and start afresh again.
For the sake of progress, two wins in Leinster is a must next season as they plot a scalp of at least one of the current 'big three'.
Can they make Parnell Park a fortress once again?
Throughout the Anthony Daly era, visiting teams seldom left the Donnycarney venue with a victory. The cramped field leaves little breathing room for opposition teams, and Daly's Dubs were experts at dictating the terms of their home games.
With so much emphasis on the home and away aspect of the new championship format, building a Parnell Park record they can be proud of would come as a major boost. Delivering statement wins at home throughout the League ahead of the summer visits of Wexford and Galway would be huge.
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