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Gilroy adamant Dublin are learning lessons

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy pictured at Croke Park on Sunday.

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy pictured at Croke Park on Sunday.

By Cian O'Connell

Despite suffering an Allianz Hurling League Quarter-Final loss to Tipperary at Croke Park on Sunday, Dublin manager Pat Gilroy feels that valuable lessons have been learned this spring.

Dublin produced a brilliant start to lead by eight points after nine minutes, but Tipperary responded in impressive fashion.
In Division 1B Dublin lost to Offaly, Limerick, and Galway, but Gilroy remains optimistic.

"It was great for us in terms of seeing so many players," Gilroy says. "We wanted to give as many as possible a reasonable shot at it and we did that.

"We’ve learned a hell of a lot from it. Our ball retention has been a bit better as we went along - our workrate has been better, although it slipped back a bit in the second half (against Tipperary).

"Our stats guys reckon that 12 of thier scores came from straight mistakes by us. At this level you can’t do that. It requires more work on the training field, mainly ball work. That’s what we need to do."

Gilroy was hugely impressed by the manner of Cuala's AIB All Ireland Club Final replay win over Na Piarsaigh at O'Moore Park on Saturday evening. "Incredible achievement," Gilroy admits. "The way they saw it out was great. 

"Work rate phenomenal. The last 10 minutes - they way they held their head when it looked as if it was slipping away from them.

"It’s great for the county, great for Cuala. Success helps everyone. I spoke to Mattie (Kenny) and said we didn’t want to distrurb what they were doing in any way. We left them alone to give them the best shot at it.

"We’ve been at all the games and been impressed by a lot of lads - they are in serious form."

Dublin were splendid initially against Tipperary, but Gilroy acknowledges that there is significant room for improvement. "We couldn’t be happy with the last 40 minutes," Gilroy remarks. 

"It wasn’t anywhere near where we wanted to be. The first 20 minutes were very close to what we wanted. We brought so much trouble on ourselves - it was hugely disappointing."