Keaney optimistic ahead of Leinster Championship

Conal Keaney is hoping his return to the intercounty stage is a memorable one.

The Dubs face this year's NHL1 champions, Kilkenny, in their Leinster SHC round-robin opener on Sunday, May 13 (Parnell Park) and the Ballyboden St Enda's man says Pat Gilroy's men can cause an upset.

"If you were picking the draw, you’d want to have Kilkenny in your first game and you’d want them at home.”

The experienced Boden clubman, who came back out of intercounty retirement this year, is optimistic of Dublin's chances.

“I didn’t come back not to win, so we’re going to win the Leinster and we’re going to win an All-Ireland - that’s the bottom line.”

Reflecting on that decision to don the blue jersey again Conal adds: “I took a while to think about it. Any time you get a chance to come back and play with Dublin, anyone would take it.

“I just had to make sure I was able to do it and the body would let me do it and if I was still good enough.

“So I came back and I had nothing to lose - if it wasn’t working out Pat would tell me or I’d find out myself, so there was no pressure.

“And, who knows, championship will tell if it was the right decision.

“But I’m enjoying the training in a good set-up and everything is exciting and I’m pushing as hard as I can.”