We need to play to optimum from first whistle: Tom Gray

Wed, 17th May 2017

Dublin minor footballers face Longford this Saturday in their Leinster MFC quarter-final in Parnell Park (3.0) and manager Tom Gray is start on the front foot.

The Dubs defeated Meath in their first round having staged an incredible comeback to win in extra-time having trailed by ten points at half-time in normal time.

Longford beat Wicklow, 1-19 to 3-8, in their opening round tie but shot out of the blocks at the start of the contest to open up a 14-point lead.

“I think it is important that we moved on from the Meath game in terms of the result but certainly, the lads will have benefited hugely from being involved in such a game.

“Those type of matches are worth their weight in gold as it is very difficult to replicate those circumstances on the training pitch," says Tom.

“We would have learnt an awful lot about the players that day but we also learnt a lot about ourselves as a management team and that is equally important.

“There was an intensity to that match that many of the players would not have experienced before and hopefully, that will serve them well as we move forward.

“Training has gone well and the lads are in good shape and really looking forward to getting back out on the pitch on Saturday.

“If you look back on underage football in recent years, it’s evident that Longford have caused Dublin a few problems down the years and we are fully aware of the potential that they have in their ranks," adds the Dublin manager.

“They have a proud heritage of football in the county and they certainly won’t fear playing Dublin so we will need to play to our optimum from the first whistle."

Dublin's u17 hurlers face Wexford in Parnell Park (1.0) before the minor football encounter in their Leinster U17HC semi-final against Wexford.

Saturday 20th May 2017

Leinster Under 17 Special Hurling Semi Final:

Parnell Park (1.0) DublinvWexford

Ref:Conor Daly (Kildare)

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship Quarter Finals:

Parnell Park (3.0) DublinvLongford

Ref:Seamus Mulhare (Laois)

St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge (3.0) KildarevLaois

Ref:John Hickey (Carlow)

Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda (3.0) LouthvOffaly

Ref:David Hickey (Carlow)