Dublin hurler Conor Dooley admits he has a weekly battle on his hands to get into Ger Cunningham’s side.
The goalkeeper is competing with his Ballyboden St Endas clubmate Gary Maguire and Na Fianna’s Jonathan Tracey for the Number One jersey this year.
Maguire started the opening day Allianz League defeat to Tipperary, with Dooley preferred for the win over Cork last time out.
Dooley has told 98FM Sport that he expects Cunningham to pick his goalkeeper for Saturday’s Allianz League tie against Waterford at Croke Park based on form in training this week.
“The three of us are going head to head for the Number One position”, Dooley told 98FM’s Derek Ryan.
“Gar was obviously playing the best the week of the Tipp game and Ger obviously felt that I was going alright the week of the Cork game.
“It could be anyone that could be playing the next day against Waterford. Whoever is playing best is the man that Ger’s going to go with.
Dooley and Maguire are in the strange position of competing for the Number One jersey at both club and county level, with both men playing their club hurling at Ballyboden St Endas.
However, Dooley insists their rivalry is a friendly one, and Maguire has been nothing but supportive to him.
“Since I started training with Gary, he has always tried to encourage me and give me support.
“He’s very supportive and training with him, he’ll always point me in the right direction, though he is after moving onto my road, so he’s trying to keep a close eye on me!!”
“It’s a competitive relationship, but it’s a healthy one as well”.
Dooley also talks to 98FM Sport about Dublin’s mixed start to their Allianz League campaign, what he expects from Waterford this weekend and how he is looking for a big year ahead for the Ballyboden St Endas hurlers.
Listen in full below:
Dooley was speaking as his club Ballyboden St Endas announced H&K International as their major sponsor for the next three years.
