Danny Sutcliffe says that Dublin hurlers are trying to build a culture that will serve the game well in the capital into the future but that it demands time and patience.
The Dubs, currently on a break for the club championships, will then face into the new format of this summer's Leinster Championship after fending off relegation in NHL1B before then losing their NHL1 quarter-final to Tipperary after a very impressive opening quarter.
“You’re not trying to win a few games, you’re trying to change a culture,” says Danny.
“It will take time. We’re trying to create good habits, to build that environment that will always be there.
“If certain players finish then there is a certain environment there for the next group to come in, and there’s a certain level that will be there that is not going to drop off.
“The footballers have that there, they have that environment.
“Jim Gavin was quoted about the ‘love of the jersey’, well actually, he’s dead on.”
Reflecting on Dublin's NHL campaign the St Jude's man adds: “You have to take into account that we had a game every week and we were training heavy enough during the week as well.
“The end goal was always to be prepared for May - wherever that took us through the league. So it’s May where we’re looking to.”
He is also looking forward to the return of the Cuala contingent following their superb back-to-back All-Ireland Club SHC success.
“I suppose what Pat’s (Gilroy) going to be loving about them is they work extremely hard.
“And I’ve probably never seen a team to tackle as well as Cuala did this year in terms of they don’t leave their hand in, the hurl never touches the helmet.
“They’re everything what we want and then it’s just maybe the finer details getting together.
“As a bunch of players to come in they’re really going to add to us - definitely.”