John staying Cual over red hot club kings
Dublin v Kilkenny Tomorrow, Parnell Park, 3pm
IF Cuala’s All-ireland win is a boost to Dublin hurling, John Henderson only regrets the potential impact will inevitably be diluted. The three-time All-ireland winner with Kilkenny is a long-time resident in Bray and so has been absorbed into the Dublin hurling scene over the years having managed the county under-21 side a few years ago as well as a stint in charge of Cuala before they came to the boil. “That’s coming a while,” he says of their triumph on St Patrick’s Day. “A lot of things had to come into place for it to happen. “Everyone thought they had the potential to win Dublin Championships but I think once they did that they moved on to bigger things and proved that they’re a decent side.” The Dublin senior team has stalled since the 2013 Leinster title win with Ger Cunningham’s reign as manager yet to take off. He certainly hasn’t been short of critics, with some that have played under him particularly cutting in their observations. “It hasn’t got any forward momentum since Ger came in,” says Henderson (inset). “It may not necessarily be his fault, it’s probably a result of the players available. But it certainly has the potential to move on. “Cuala winning is another step on the ladder to say that they are every bit as good, at college level they’re every bit as good. From when I started up here I’d say that the change has been seismic without a doubt but it still has a bit to go.” Critical to Dublin’s hitting a plateau in recent years has been football, henderson believes. Con O’callaghan is a prime case in point. He starred for Cuala and, even allowing for the step up to county standard, he’s the sort of player that if unleashed on Parnell Park against Kilkenny tomorrow could wreak havoc. “Of course he would, that’s the sort of quality that he is. Ciaran Kilkenny, you can go back along the last few minor teams, the successful teams. “The ones that are good at one are good at both. They’re the ones that haven’t come across. If Dublin hurling had access to everybody they could have, tthey’d be in a better place. “He [O’callaghan] has proven that he’s got what it takes to be a top notch forward and is he going to play for Dublin seniors? Probably not. And that’s the difference. “You want to know why they’re not progressing, every team has its go-to player. It comes along in every crop or every generation, a couple of standout players that makes the difference.” The word is Cunningham will not be calling on the Cuala contingent for tomorrow’s game, with Kilkenny looking like they’ve turned a corner. “We saw signs against Tipperary that there’s life in the old dog yet,” Henderson smiled. VERDICT: Kilkenny