Gough: Our displays are at the right level now
HOW quickly things change. Back in February, a 1-23 to 0-12 opening day League defeat at the hands of Tipperary saw Dublin’s hurlers marked as relegation favorites in Division 1A. Fast forward one month, and Ger Cunningham’s side have seen off the challenges of both Galway and Cork, before ending Waterford’s 11-game unbeaten run in the competition last Sunday. It’s an upturn few predicted, but corner-back Oisin Gough insists the group never went into panic mode after the opening day hammering. ‘There was a lot of talk obviously but I don’t think we’ve changed anything dramatically,’ said Gough. ‘We just didn’t show up on the day, whatever happened mentally. I think what you’re seeing the last few games from us is more normal, that’s the level we think we’re at and it’s just about consistency in our performances.’ Consistency is a word seldom associated with Dublin. Since the breakthrough year of 2011 — which saw them land a first National League title since 1939 — the Boys in Blue have made for frustrating viewing. While there has certainly been some highs, such as a Leinster Championship success in 2013, there have also been plenty of lows, with Galway’s 5-19 to 1-18 demolition last year a particularly sore memory. Gough remains confident that Dublin have the quality to carry their impressive League form into the summer, but admits that the lack of belief towards the county does annoy him at times. ‘Traditionally, people say we’re still not a hurling county, even though the lads growing up have played at the highest level. We know how good we are. ‘We’ve won a National League, Leinster, muitiple underage titles, so it shouldn’t annoy us. I think as a team we’re as good as anyone we play on the day.’ This Sunday sees Gough and his team-mates pitch up at Nowlan Park to take on All-Ireland champions Kilkenny, who have looked as potent a threat as ever so far. It will be a huge test for Dublin but it’s the type of occasion the 26-year-old relishes. ‘We would have grown up playing Kilkenny and beating Kilkenny in Leinster finals. Kilkenny, Wexford, Offaly... the traditional hurling counties in Leinster,’ said Gough. ‘So there is no fear of playing these teams and over the last couple of years I think we’ve had some good matches with Kilkenny especially.’ A win in the home of the All-Ireland champions on Sunday will certainly raise expectations among supporters for the year ahead, but just as he refused to get bogged down by the criticisms following the Tipperary defeat, Gough has no intention of getting carried away with the plaudits coming their way now. ‘It’s funny… when things are going well they don’t talk about it as much, only when things are going badly,’ said Gough. ‘We don’t focus on that. We only focus on playing as best we can.’