Dublin v Galway - Allianz Football League Division 1 Final
By John Harrington
Dublin manager Jim Gavin has revealed that Jack McCaffrey’s comeback from the torn cruciate injury he suffered in last year’s All-Ireland SFC Final is on track.
The Clontarf club-man has returned to collective training and should feature in the Championship.
“It's very positive news,” said Gavin after Dublin’s Allianz Football League Final victory over Galway. “He's back on the grass again. That's really positive.
“As in he's running on the grass if that makes sense. He's being very diligent with it. He's in great shape. Mentally, as bubbly as ever. He's looking forward to the Championship.”
When Gavin was asked whether McCaffrey might be fit to play in the Leinster Quarter-Final against either Offaly or Wicklow on May 26/27, he didn’t rule out the prospect.
“Like any player coming back, they'd have to prove themselves,” said Gavin.
“Purely based on performance. If they perform well in training in the lead-in...As you saw today, the players we finished with, they have been playing well and have been training well.
“So, if any player comes back and performs well in our training session, they'll put their hand up for a slot.”
When Gavin was asked whether Diarmuid Connolly would feature for Dublin in the Championship this year, he replied “Please, God”, and reiterated that the St. Vincent’s man is currently not involved because he’s being rested.
“Diarmuid and I agree that what's best for him at the moment is to take that rest over these games,” said Gavin.
“He's had a long number of years playing senior county football, as have a lot of that group. That decision was made in his best interests.”
Dublin v Galway - Allianz Football League Division 1 Final
Yesterday’s League Final win over Galway was Dublin’s fifth in six years under Gavin, who has also presided over four All-Ireland titles in five championship seasons so far.
He admits the team’s continued appetite success despite all they have already achieved surprises him.
“It does surprise me,” said Gavivn. “What they achieved last year was remarkable. The easy thing to do was to kick back, which they did.
“We didn't see them until we had a two-week lead-up into the League. Maybe four big sessions [were/> done. For them to go away and be so diligent with themselves.
“Obviously club football went a bit into December, just to come back with the right frame of mind. That's what the remarkable thing about them is, that they're always on script.
“They demand so much from each other, and they do genuinely see representing Dublin as a privilege. I don't get any falsehood regarding that. It's a genuine love of the jersey.
“That's what makes Gaelic Games. We always say it's a volunteer, community-based sport, and that's the way the guys see it. You could see the passion there in the Galway players as well. They gave everything that they could today.
“But I wouldn't get carried away, it's still April. Does it have any relevance to championship? Not really. A lot of water will pass under the bridge before we open our legs up in the first round of the championship.”
