Advertisement
Liam Rushe is an Under Armour ambassador for Ireland.

Children of the Revolution: Rushe relishing chance to deliver Dubs dream

“We owe those who put in the time coaching us and organising teams and the people who drew up the blueprint for Dublin hurling.”

THERE HAVE BEEN a few false dawns for Dublin hurling, a few times when the masterminds that boldly set forth the dream of winning an All-Ireland title thought their time had come to pass.

By 2008, they pledged that Dublin would lift Liam and break the barren spell which stretches all the way back to 1938.

But though they’re still wandering in search of that Promised Land, for another few weeks at least, the ‘Blueprint for Change and Success’ has been just that: a success. A quick glance at the career CV of Liam Rushe, or any of his provincial team-mates with their assorted underage medals, is testament to that.

Nurtured in a system that placed a premium on youth development, Rushe was a key man in the team that beat Kilkenny to the Leinster minor title in 2007, though he missed the final with a broken thumb.

As an U21 he won back-to-back Leinster titles in 2010 and 2011, the latter coming as part of a bumper year which also included a senior Division 1 title, a run to the All-Ireland semi-finals, an All-Star and, most notably, the Young Hurler of the Year award.

When the Hurling Review Group presented that ambitious 28-pager in November 2001 players of Rushe’s calibre were distant beings, to be admired and coveted from afar as the Championship ran into August and September. Now they are the rule rather than the exception in the capital and when Dublin step out for the first time as Leinster champions, they will have a point to prove against Cork.

“Things took a bit of a dip last year and we got ahead of ourselves,” Rushe told TheScore.ie, reflecting on relegation from Division 1 and unceremonious exit from the Championship against Clare.

“We went back to basics this year. It was a winter of reassessment really and now we feel like we’re back where we belong. It’s just trying to drive it on now.

“We obviously feel that progress should be made. The players feel that we owe those who put in the time coaching us and organising teams and the people who drew up the blueprint for Dublin hurling what was it, 12 years ago now, they are owed a certain return for all the work they’ve done.

(©INPHO/James Crombie)

“It doesn’t weigh on us or anything like that. We’re just here to play and that’s what all the work has produced: players who are confident in their abilities and want to play at the next level.”

The advent of spring and a new league campaign provided a lot of positives, though any tendency towards cockiness was tempered in a 15-point loss to Tipperary in the Division 1 semi-finals.

“That was a tough one for all of us to take,” Rushe said, and the scars still seemed fresh when they returned to action against Wexford six weeks later in a nervy draw that led to Ger Loughnane’s condemnation of their ‘constipated hurling.’
I don’t think we’ll forget that one for a while but he was probably right. We were nervous, we were shaky and we weren’t hurling properly at all.

It probably took a few games to get it out of us and now I think we realise what we can do and we’re just trying to keep reproducing that.

Manager Anthony Daly deferred the tongue-lashing until after Dublin went out and finished the job in Parnell Park the following week, beating Wexford by eight points, and since then they have gone from strength to strength. They did what few teams can do and out-hurled Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final, only to be reined in by a last-gasp TJ Reid score.

Six days later they defied all expectations and did it again, this time coming away with a three-point win that not even the most ardent Dublin fan would have predicted.

By that stage they were on a roll and, hurling for the fifth time in as many weeks when they met Galway in the Leinster final, they put on their most assured performance of the summer to blow away last year’s All-Ireland finalists by a landslide 12 points. For the first time since 1961 Dublin lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup and people had no choice but to take them seriously as title contenders.

(©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

As the win sunk in, Daly spoke with no little sense of vindication about the “dark days” of Dublin hurling: losing by six clear goals against Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup in January 2009; driving aimlessly around Fanore after the defeat against Antrim in the summer of 2010, wondering where this project was going.

“We enjoyed it when it happened,” Rushe said. “We’ve been looking for it for five years. Obviously it opens new doors for you in the All-Ireland series so we’ve to get our feet back on the ground and get going.”

But while the rest of the capital whips itself into a frenzy with talk of a dual-code double, he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. Only 23 since June, Rushe has already seen the bitter ebb and flow of expectation and disappointment more times that he cares to remember.

It may well be different this time around but those final steps will be the hardest yet.

Dublin’s Liam Rushe is an Under Armour ambassador for Ireland. Under Armour performance apparel can be purchased from Life Style Sports, Elverys and independent retailers nationwide or check out www.underarmour.com

The ex-Clare hurler and 2006 Allstar who is now part of the Dublin backroom team

Close
52 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mikeobrien4FM
    Favourite mikeobrien4FM
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:39 AM

    The very very very best of luck to Daly and the lads on sunday. I dont think any hurling fan wouldn’t like to see the dubs in a final.

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim McCarthy
    Favourite Tim McCarthy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:39 AM

    Except the Cork fans!

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EyesWide Open
    Favourite EyesWide Open
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:44 AM

    Would relish another victory over Cork and shut them up :-P Come on Doublin

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Murphy
    Favourite Pat Murphy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 4:50 PM

    not a hope!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan
    Favourite Declan
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:05 AM

    Diarmuid you couldn’t sound anymore bitter if you tried. Thanks for the laugh.
    See 3 or 4 kids on the road every evening now with hurls. It’s great to see. Would love the hurlers to do it more than the footballers to be honest. Come on the dubs

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:56 AM

    Thanks Deco, glad I brightened up your day as you’ll be miserable on Sunday fella!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Murphy
    Favourite Pat Murphy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 4:52 PM

    they are actually called hurleys, not hurls!
    Jesus do ye dubs know anything about the game and not quote anything that that fool michael duignan says !!!

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Coughlan
    Favourite Colm Coughlan
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 6:34 PM

    *Hurls

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Alda
    Favourite Alan Alda
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:51 AM

    Would love to see the Dubs in the final, great for everyone involved in underage Hurling in the capital, Mr Trappatoni you keep up the good work you Sir are as important to the future of Dublin hurling as Daly is kids like success so C’mon you boys in BLUE. Repeat about 5 times,

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob Frapples
    Favourite Bob Frapples
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 10:39 AM

    Diarmaid, as a fellow Rebel I ask you to please step away from the keyboard and stop embarrassing yourself.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 12:09 PM

    Lost the run of myself a small bit alright! Hope I didn’t bring shame upon you!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sharon Coyle
    Favourite Sharon Coyle
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:21 AM

    Up the Dubs. They’ve come a long in in a short time. Credit where it’s due.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Beale
    Favourite Trevor Beale
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:55 AM

    The dubs have won nothing yet and their talking like champions. Their summer ends on Sunday. C’mon The Rebels!!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EyesWide Open
    Favourite EyesWide Open
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:37 AM

    The art of ribbing is wasted here Diarmo. Good luck on Sunday. I’m a Dub living in North Cork and know how much the hurling means to ye. If ye lose, I will no doubt be rubbing it in. Gonna be a cracking match whatever the result.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Who's Yer Man
    Favourite Who's Yer Man
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:59 AM

    Hope the Dubs or Limerick do it this year. Credit where credit is due, Dublin have been exciting to watch for the last 4-5 years. Have been to many an U21 game in Parnell Park, so hopefully they crack on.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergus Fring
    Favourite Fergus Fring
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:42 AM

    Getting dumped out of both Championships by Dublin will be the ultimate horror show for Cork.

    It can not happen. Should be a cracker though! Up the Rebels!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Murphy
    Favourite Pat Murphy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 4:54 PM

    was never gonna happen in the football but the hurling is a different kettle of fish…..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Kelly
    Favourite John Kelly
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:29 AM

    Under armour ambassador? Bollocks to that

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:25 AM

    In other words the jacks owe Munster men who managed them and were imported to make them competitive! Great point by young Rushe!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen Thornton
    Favourite Aideen Thornton
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:41 AM

    Diarmaid you’re really starting to get repetitive You’ve made your point about a dozen times now, change the record. Yes our manager is from Clare, yes 2 of of regular starting 15 (not half as you’ve stated on another article) are not from Dublin. No doubt if we win on Sunday it will be because ‘half’ our team is from Munster? You need some new material.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:59 AM

    Touched a nerve aideen? I do apologise. What will I speak about next, your lack of pedigree, that Dublin hurling only attracted literally 10 fans to pairc Ui chaoimh 3 years ago, the integrity and personal hygiene of the hill fans? You pick, I’m feeling generous today :-)

    18
    See 23 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen Thornton
    Favourite Aideen Thornton
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:08 AM

    Continue to insult us Dubs on this site all you lilke. I have no intention of lowering myself to your level. I have not insulted any Cork fans once and don’t intend on starting. Call us junkies, smelly (similar behaviour to how my 14 year old and his friends behave) and all the other insults you’ve thrown at us. I won’t get into a slanging match with you. I’lll let our team do the talking for us on the pitch on Sunday.

    Thankfully i know most Cork fans aren’t as obnoxious as you just like most Cork fans don’t get their kicks out of coming here and insulting others & I look forward to having some banter with those fans on Sunday.

    May the best team win. Proud of our lads whatever the outcome and I intend on being gracious in victory or defeat, whicever comes our way.

    COYBIB

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel O Connell
    Favourite Daniel O Connell
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:23 AM

    This guy again…….such a pest…..it makes me laugh…..a tiny crowd of cork supporters came to the gaelic grounds in limerick to the clare match as clare were hot favourites to win that day…cork fans will all jump on the bandwagon when they think they can win…sunshine supporters of the highest order….limerick and waterford have the,most loyal and are best supported countys in munster as they support them through the bad times, and there has been alot of them as im a limerick man….its no secret that football is bigger in dublin than hurling…always has been and will not have the same numbers which is expected…

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:23 AM

    Do you honestly think I’m serious aideen! For crying out loud cop on will ya! Get out of the right side if bed next time will ya! Some of the nicest fans I know are dubs, I have openly admitted I hope Dublin win Sam on here too. Get the chip off your shoulder and lighten up will ya!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:27 AM

    Only a few days ago you were telling dubs to lighten up when I was jostling with them yet now you are acting like they were, Jekyll and Hyde I think aideen?!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David McElroy
    Favourite David McElroy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:29 AM

    Your a tool diarmaid and not speaking for the majority of hurling fans. This is only good for the game. Hope the 4 semi finalists put on an exhibition of hurling showing why they are the best 4 teams in Ireland this year. Hope other counties can implement some sort of plan akin to the Dublin roadmap and have more counties being competitive.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Foley
    Favourite Pete Foley
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:31 AM

    Spot on. Plus the singing soccer songs when they play god help hurling

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:35 AM

    Ha ha, thanks lads, god I thought it was cork fans were supposed to have chips on our shoulders, seems none if ye can even differentiate when someone is being serious or not ye have such chips on your own! Good stuff lads! Peop,e are even putting words in my mouth now they’re seeing red so much, mission objective achieved!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel O Connell
    Favourite Daniel O Connell
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:36 AM

    Yawn

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen Thornton
    Favourite Aideen Thornton
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:37 AM

    There are ways of having a bit of banter with people without insulting a county and their fans as many other people here have shown. Maybe think before you comment. I don’t recall telling anyone to ‘lighten up’ the other day but yes i do agree i was having a bit of banter with you, that banter however was because you weren’t openly insulting the Dublin fans by calling them junkies/smelly etc.

    I don’t have a chip on my shoulder. I have no issue with any county or their fans. I think all 4 finalists are all worthy of their semi final place and whichever team wins will be deserving of it.

    Enjoy the game on Sunday.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:37 AM

    Daniel go back to calling me gay and blocking me on twitter cause I called a homophobe out!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David McElroy
    Favourite David McElroy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:39 AM

    Fall back on the wum argument when it’s obvious you’ve been acting like a tool. Sick of shit like yours. I’m all for a wum like the next person but there is a big difference between wum and tool. I’m afraid your no wum which means your a ……

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel O Connell
    Favourite Daniel O Connell
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:43 AM

    Double yawn………

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Alda
    Favourite Alan Alda
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:44 AM

    Did your Mammy never tell you to if you have nothing sensible to say, say nothing at all.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:44 AM

    Aideen, show me the post where I called anyone a “junkie”. On this very website I had war with Dubs in fact when they referred to “addicts” as “junkies” which were taking over their streets! If you are going to criticise what I said at least be accurate in that criticism! I never once insinuated addicts were in the hill or called them “junkies” That is a lie, plain and simple!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel O Connell
    Favourite Daniel O Connell
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:45 AM

    I blocked all strangers who write abusive messages on my account…..creep

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:46 AM

    Thanks David, I like how you criticise collective “criticism”, by personally insulting, quite the intellect you are I’d say!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:47 AM

    Abusive is calling you a keyboard warrior after you spent a day personally abusing me on here and in this same line you call me a creep? Have you even got a brain?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Alda
    Favourite Alan Alda
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:58 AM

    You poor fella victim now because people realize your a Muppet

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel O Connell
    Favourite Daniel O Connell
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 10:00 AM

    Such anger…let it all out….just please refrain from stalking,my personal social media profiles as im getting a bit freaked out….seriously om gonna call the twitter cops……supercreep…supercreep..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen Thornton
    Favourite Aideen Thornton
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 10:13 AM

    You’re correct, you have not used the word ‘junkies’ so for that i apologise and i take back my accusation that you did (I shouldn’t have used that word myself either) but you have however said the below which is you insinuating there are drug users on the Hill, whether the comments were meant in jest or not is beside the point. Call us Jackeens all you like, we’ll continue to call you culchies , that’s banter.

    ‘spaced out eyes on him to the hill’

    ‘Have you got your “gear” sorted for the Hill’

    ‘I know you must be off your head from all the drugs being handed out in the hill’.

    How about we stick to the kind of banter that people find funny? I’m sure many Dublin fans (especially those on the Hill) would agree that those comments above are far from funny.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 10:30 AM

    Aideen if I insulted you I apologise, you know my form? I mean none of it and you have proved to be a sound fan on here! I really do mean nothing by it! Not going to apologise to ppl who personally abused me though if its ok with you?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aideen Thornton
    Favourite Aideen Thornton
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 11:10 AM

    Truce Diarmaid. I think for my own good i need to stay clear of The Score till Monday. I’m far too worked up about this match & maybe I’m letting things get to me that i normally wouldn’t!

    Enjoy Sunday. Up the Dubs!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 12:01 PM

    No sweat Aideen, I would hate to think I insulted yourself like after our previous chats, the lads above have form of abusing people, me included, even when I make a serious point, which may I add I was not making this time around! Best of luck Sunday! Mark my words ye’ll only be wishing we brought as little a following as the footballers when ye see the sea of red on Sunday! Hurling = Real sport!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PJ Kickham
    Favourite PJ Kickham
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 6:04 PM

    Diarmuid, I have read so many of your posts over the past few weeks and you really are a langer. Throwing out your drivel and then dressing it up as banter when people become upset is the exact modus operandi of the schoolyard bully. You do Cork a disservice with your nonsense. Last week I sat in the Hogan stand beside some great Cork people from Castlehaven, we had lots of banter and plenty of laughs and left as friends. You don’t get it Diarmuid, people are tired of your sh1te, nobody cares what you think, so why don’t you quieter down for a while.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pete Foley
    Favourite Pete Foley
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 12:40 PM

    Best of luck to the dubclaretipp team on sun ;)

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Murphy
    Favourite Pat Murphy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 4:57 PM

    class!

    the county with the biggest population in the country can’t even produce 15 dublin reared and bred hurlers, never mind a panel of 25/30 players!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Mc Eoghaín
    Favourite Liam Mc Eoghaín
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 3:57 PM

    There’s so much hype around this game you’d think it was the All Ireland (kinda wish it was)! Can’t wait for it now. Will be in Croker with my two good Cork buddies and little do they know if they win they’re walking home! COYBIB!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Murphy
    Favourite Pat Murphy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 4:59 PM

    very true, I would of loved if this was the final!!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 9:54 AM

    Aideen, in spite of the lies and criticism today I promise you and all the Dubs I won’t spit on ye this time anyway! Wouldn’t want young Dennis losing the run of himself again!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Mc Eoghaín
    Favourite Liam Mc Eoghaín
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 4:05 PM

    There’s so much hype around this game you’d think it was the All Ireland (kinda wish it was), its great! Can’t wait for it now. Will be in Croker with my two good Cork buddies, little do they know they’re walking home if Cork win! COYBIB!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute seanmccann
    Favourite seanmccann
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 5:44 PM

    Should be a cracking game hopefully. Its good to see players acknowledge the hard work being done at club level with the under age setups. great to be in the running in August. New territory this year . Cork are worthy opponents. Roll on Sunday.

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.