Anthony Daly sets about Sunday's clash with Kilkenny with thoughts firmly fixed on the June championship date with Antrim, writes GAVIN CUMMISKEY

ANTHONY DALY, now ensconced in the Dublin hurling manager role, faces a similar fate to his Cork and Tipperary counterparts this Sunday. The road home from Nowlan Park has been a harrowing experience during the National League campaign.

The league is all but over now. Dublin drew their penultimate game with Clare, after three wins and two defeats, and with Tipperary and Kilkenny already confirmed as finalists this match is viewed as the first tune-up ahead of the championship meeting with Antrim at Croke Park on June 7th. A contest that will be overshadowed by the football battle between Meath and Dublin immediately afterwards.

Brian Cody’s Kilkenny view every outing as championship preparation. It really is a daunting experience but Daly’s pedigree means he has never feared the black and amber.

“You would nearly prefer them fielding the All-Ireland final starting 15 as when the other lads get a chance they really go for it. We have already experienced it in the Walsh Cup when (Michael) Grace destroyed us and he wouldn’t have been known.

“Their strength in depth is incredible and competition so fierce that a guy coming knows this is his chance to move up the pecking order.”

This is not the weekend for injuries but Liam Ryan just had stitches removed from his finger so will be further assessed tomorrow.

That Ross O’Carroll’s hamstring blew up this week and Tomás Brady carries a similar complaint hardly helps matters.

“They are both out but should be back three weeks before Antrim and we share Croke Park with the footballers. We have a few other sick lads as well.

“Ah, it’s a pity about Ross as he was just beginning to show signs of sharpness after so many weeks playing football with Kilmacud Crokes.

“And he brought that confidence back into the camp as well. It’s a pity but that happens in sport all the time.”

What really needs to be asked of the two-time All-Ireland winning Clare captain is how he moulds the mindset of his panel going to hurling’s centre of excellence.

“This is championship preparation. A barometer of where we are, if you like. Sure, it could go awfully wrong but that wouldn’t make us any different from anyone else. We shall prepare like we have for every league game. We shall just head down on the bus, focused, and play.

“A good result will give us confidence but there is no incentive for either team here. That said, we welcome a game like this at this stage of the season.”

Dublin, under Daly, pushed for a top-two finish in Division One and by recent standards they are progressing under the new management but the Clareman still sees a team in the early stages of progress.

“The league has been good and competitive. We made a lot of silly mistakes but who would have thought four goals against Tipperary wouldn’t have been enough?

“We’ve done well but people need to remember some of the lads are awfully young still. The likes of Joey Boland, Tomás Brady and Ross O’Carroll have gained a lot of experience but they are only just out of the under-21s.

“When I was that age I was still trying to nail down my place in the Clare team.

“Then there are even younger lads like David Treacy and Liam Rushe who have really performed. That said, people need to be patient with them.”

Dublin have eight weeks after Sunday to prepare for the first ever Leinster championship tussle with Antrim with Daly keeping his cards close to his chest regarding challenge matches.

“We won’t be playing too many games. I’ve never believed in getting involved in the circuit of challenge matches. We will have two or three qualities games and that’s it.”

The best yardstick comes on Sunday.