Daly targets Leinster title

Dublin manager Anthony Daly wants to build on last year’s Allianz Hurling League victory by winning a Leinster title or reaching the All-Ireland final.

Dublin defeated Kilkenny 0-22 to 1-07 in last year’s League decider to end a senior trophy drought that stretched back to 1939 and Daly is keen to build on that success this season.

The Clare man told The Examiner: “A step further would be winning Leinster or making an All-Ireland final, it would be lovely to think we could get to that stage," said Daly.

"The (Leinster championship) draw has us up against the winners of Laois and Carlow. If you’re lucky to get over that, it’s Kilkenny in Portlaoise – no one will be giving us any chance in that.

“I’d like to think our lads are ambitious, they got a taste and they’d like to drive on and win something bigger and better."

First up for Dublin though is a trip to Galway for the Division 1 League opener and Daly is aware of the challenge he faces in that division saying: "You could lose the first two games and be in a relegation battle straight away or you can win the first two and try to win a semi-final.

“It’s going to be harder for everyone but it’s going to be more interesting for everybody as well. Every day is flat to the boards, try to do your best from the start."