Senior hurlers ready for Kilkenny challenge

Dublin host recently crowned NHL1 champions, Kilkenny, in Parnell Park (2.0) this Sunday as their Leinster SHC round-robin campaign gets under

The Dubs are grouped with Kilkenny, Wexford, Offaly and All-Ireland champions, Galway, in a round-robin group with the top two teams progressing to a Leinster final.

The Leinster championship move into the All-Ireland semi-final with the provincial runners-up progressing to the All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals.

The third-placed team advances to an All-Ireland SHC quarter-final preliminary game against the winners or runners-up of the Joe McDonagh Cup (Antrim, Carlow, Kerry, Laois, Meath and Westmeath).

If a Connacht, Leinster or Ulster team win the Joe McDonagh Cup, the bottom team in the Leinster group are relegated to next year's Joe McDonagh Cup. If Kerry win the Joe McDonagh Cup, the bottom team in the Leinster group are not relegated.

Dublin's schedule of games is Kilkenny (Parnell Park), Wexford (Wexford Park), Offaly (Parnell Park) and Galway (Pearse Stadium, Salthill).

Dublin selector Anthony Cunningham is looking forward to Sunday's clash with the Cats as the Dubs look to upset the odds.

"Look, it's a massive game to have. The best place to play Kilkenny is at home, and in the first match," says Anthony.

"Every team would see it as a challenge to play in Parnell Park – except Dublin, they like playing there.

"We're going to bring huge intensity, and so are Kilkenny."

Dublin's short-term target is to progress out of the round-robin group and into the knockout stages.

"Whether you qualify first, second or third, it mightn't matter! But you have to qualify.

"You're putting all your effort into qualifying. We're no different than anyone else.

"We want to qualify, nick a home win and the last match or two could be very interesting then.

"Rome wasn't built in a day. But having said that, we want to create a surprise or two this summer, that's for sure."