How will the boys in blue create the next chapter?

The other day in an interview Dublin midfielder Michael Darragh Macauley professed not to know how many consecutive All Ireland’s Dublin has won. MDM mustn’t read the papers or watch the television because as the championship has progressed the talk of the Dublin quest for another consecutive All Ireland is all around us. In every break in the game. He’s good craic anyway is MDM.

 

We’ll Remember Dublin from these Rare Times

Irrespective of the outcome on Sunday it is hard to argue that we have ever seen a better team and panel. As a team they are exceptional, they have evolved in their movement, their use of the ball, their kicking of the ball, all under Jim Gavin’s ever watchful eye.

The decision making on the pitch is uniformly excellent. The exploits of the Dublin bench are so exemplary they are taken for granted. Consider the likes of Con O’Callaghan. If Dublin win Con will have won four all Ireland medals before his 24th birthday. The players embody and epitomise the idea of resilience in sport.

Consider two examples. Tyrone’s opening quarter in the 2018 All Ireland Final. The Ulster men caused problems, they figured out Dublin and seemed to be in command. But like a totalitarian regime cracking down, Dublin first figured Tyrone out and then snuffed out their resistance, ruthlessly and efficiently.

Fast forward to Mayo a fortnight ago. The proud people from the West dared to dream at half time after a performance for the ages.

In the third quarter we know what happened. Dublin just concluded proceedings clinically, efficiently, effectively and brilliantly. We mentioned Con O’Callaghan. Two identical goals, game over. By the time the great Andy Moran entered the fray, it was too late for him to attempt to turn the tide.

As GAA supporters we want to see the likes of Con O’Callaghan. We want to see Diarmuid Connolly because you can point his skills to younger players. You would travel to watch Cluxton and we have countless times, and we’ll miss him when he’s gone. Philly McMahon? A man for the trenches. And a serious human being off the pitch. The Life of Brian Howard and Brian Fenton? Crowd pleasers. Role models. Business men on the pitch. Formidable. We could go on. And when we say we, we mean GAA people because the Dubs belong to us all. We’re blessed to see this team play over the years.

 

In Jim We Trust

Jim Gavin’s comments may echo with a bit of manager speak tinged with codology when he needs to use it. But he has created, facilitated, and enabled a team of great beauty and wonder to watch. Set aside the desire to see them tested more frequently, the Dubs epitomise John Wooden’s maxim to be at your best when your best is needed. Says the manager: “All you’re trying to do is create that space where players can be their best.” 

Inevitably and relentlessly they show up on the big day. The have their game face on. And they deliver. It’s good to see them tested not least to see how they get themselves out of trouble. It’s not some sort of rope a dope trick, it’s an efficient response to a threat that is eliminated with extreme prejudice. In almost military fashion. And that’s no surprise given Gavin’s background.

The Dublin team’s Zen-like approach to the situation they find themselves in typified by the management and talk of the journey being the reward etc. It is of course a huge privilege to be part of the Dublin team, a huge tribute to their families, their coaches and clubs. Most of all it is a tribute to the group of players and their determination desire and dedication to being the best they can be.

For all the professionalism under his watch, a read of Jim’s comments on his previous day job are revealing as published by the GAA this week. In a former life he was stationed in Chad: “In the countryside, for every five kids who are born, three are dead by the age of five. Horrific conditions. So that would certainly give you perspective. I spent a lot of time on the ground as well with Nepalese and Mongolian troops, walking the land. Very harsh conditions, and that certainly gave you a perspective on life, and makes you very humble and grateful for what you have on this little island on the northwest corner of Europe.”

 

Let The History Books Show

Looking back the history books will record the achievements of this Dublin team whether they end up with five, seven, nine or however many in a row. History will note as a minor dissenting footnote, if at all, the sour grumbling and begrudgery at the Dubs success.

Heraclitus the philosopher said that  you cannot step in the same river twice because you have changed and the river has changed. It’s true for Dublin GAA. They have changed as the journey has changed. We should enjoy it for what it is.