Always regarded as one of the best hurlers in the county, St. Judes star Danny Sutcliffe walked away from inter county hurling last year and played no part in Dublin’s National League or Championship campaigns.
The 24 year old, who claimed an All Star in 2013 and helped Dublin to an historic Leinster Title, decided to concentrate on his studies, but remained on at club level for St. Judes and also assisted the Dublin U21 hurling backroom team.
This morning the Dublin County Board Chairman Sean Shanley told the Irish Daily Star that Danny will be missing for some time next year.
“Apparently, Danny Sutcliffe plans to travel abroad next year, just like Rory O’Carroll and Jack McCaffrey did this year,” Shanley explained.
“So he’ll be out of the country for a considerable part of the year and as a result he won’t be in a position to make himself available for the county hurlers.
“Obviously it’s disappointing news for Ger Cunningham and his backroom team but hopefully it won’t prove too much of a setback in next year’s League and Championship.”
This won’t be good news for the Dublin back room staff and of course the fans of Dublin hurling, but with new faces like Sean Treacy and Chris Bennett expected to make a huge impact on next year’s Senior panel, along with current names like Eamon Dillon, Mark Schutte, Paul Ryan and David Treacy all stamping their authority last year, the well is deep and plentiful for Ger Cunningham as he looks to prepare for 2017.