New Dublin hurling boss Ger Cunningham has said Dublin fans expect their county “to be involved in the closing stages of league and championships” and that he will be looking to maintain this level.
Speaking to RTÉ following his appointment, Cunningham said being asked to take charge of Dublin offered him a chance to manage “at the very top level” and that he hoped to bring “my own ideas and the ideas of the backroom team that I'll be assembling with me”.
Cunningham hailed the efforts of his predecessor, Anthony Daly and his back-room team, saying “They've set the bar quite high.
“The achievements of the last few years, winning [a] national league and Leinster championship [are notable]. Cork played them in the semi-final last year and they are a top-class team now at this stage.”
"Once you get the performance right then the titles will take care of themselves" - Ger Cunningham
He refused to be drawn on the prospect of Dublin winning further titles, saying “The most important thing is performance, in my view, at the moment.
“Getting the performance right, getting the fitness right at the start of a new season and getting up on the speed and power and the hurling right. Once you get the performance right then the titles will take care of themselves.”
He said he was aiming to get the players to perform to the best of their abilities “on the big days” and looking for them to “buy into the ways and ideas we will bring to the table”.
He admitted he was not looking forward to the drive from his native Cork, but suggested he was relishing the opportunity to get involved with a new bunch of players.
“I'm looking forward to meeting the players, sitting down with them and getting to know different personalities, on and off-the field,” Cunningham said.
