Cunningham "under pressure", says O'Callaghan

Dublin defender Cian O'Callaghan says manager Ger Cunningham could be "under pressure" if they lose Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Tipperary.

Dublin have struggled under Cunningham this year, relegated from Division 1A of the national league and thrashed by Galway in the Leinster championship.

And they have been the handed the toughest of Round 2 qualifiers, a match-up against All-Ireland champions Tipperary at the "neutral" venue of Semple Stadium in Thurles.

Cunningham has been a divisive figure since replacing Anthony Daly as Dublin hurling boss in October 2014.

The Cork native caused disquiet last November when he dropped seven players from the Dublin senior panel, including Johnny McCaffrey, who was captain when the Sky Blues lifted the Bob O'Keeffe Cup in 2013, and 2013 All-Star Peter Kelly.

"I suppose he will be under pressure [if Dublin lose to Tipperary]," O'Callaghan said. 

"The way we're looking at it, we just want to go out as a team and do our best. I think the team is really coming together, lads are getting on well, training has gone up another notch. 

"We're playing for each other, we're playing for the county jersey, as every county hurler should be."

Dublin still hope to persuade the GAA to move the tie away from Thurles, but O'Callaghan is happy to play the match at Semple Stadium, pointing out that Dublin often are given de facto home advantage when the GAA schedule their matches at Croke Park.

"We can't do anything about [where it is played]. We are happy enough to play wherever," the Cuala defender said.

"Teams would say the same thing about Dublin in Croke Park, that it is a home venue.

"I know a lot of the Munster teams have to go to Thurles the whole time so it is just another challenge."

Dublin have not beaten Tipp in the Championship in over a century, and O'Callaghan says all the expectation and focus will be on Michael Ryan's under-performing team.

Tipp were thrashed 3-21 to 0-14 by Galway in April's league final, unexpectedly beaten by Cork in the Munster semi-final, and laboured to a 2-18 to 0-15 victory in Saturday's Rd 1 qualifier in Thurles

"All the pressure is on them. There's no pressure on us because nobody gives us a chance," the Dublin full-back continued.

"We give ourselves a chance but I know the media gives us no chance, people in Tipp will be giving us no chance, so it's a good way to be going into a match."

Image: Inpho/Ryan Byrne

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