Dublin are certainly the greatest team of all time, but how much does the general public really know about this group of men and their struggles to attain greatness? Jim Gavin and his backroom team have been rigorously disciplined in their avoidance of saying interesting things to the media during their seven year reign of success, which is their right. But the general public would like to know much more about Dublin and their journey this decade.
Things may be changing now, however. The five-in-a-row is a staggering achievement and there is a sense that this might be the end of the road for many of Dublin's old guard, including the incredible Gavin-Cluxton braintrust.
On GAA.ie, Dublin selector Declan Darcy sat down with John Harrington to provide what must be the most interesting interview that anyone in the Dublin coaching ticket has done during the Gavin years. Darcy speaks eloquently about his bond to this Dublin team and how working with the Dubs helped him overcome the loss of his beloved sister.
But it's Darcy's comments about bringing Diarmuid Connolly back into the Dublin fold that deserve the most attention today. In the interview Darcy speaks frankly about Connolly and the need to 'care' for him, as well as the risks to the panel of bringing him back.
“Oh yeah, a big call, because we were worried that it would crack the group, and obviously the connotations..."
“I think first and foremost it was really important for us, the care of Diarmuid,”
“Things weren't going really well for him probably outside of football and I think he needed football, he needed structure and whatever about whether he was to function within our group or not, to bring him back into the group was the right thing to do.
Ultimately though, Gavin, Darcy and co felt they owed it to Connolly to bring him back into the team.
“He had soldiered long and hard for us and he deserved that right to come back in and I think it was a really good thing for him to do.
No matter whether we won an All-Ireland, I still think it would have been the right thing to do because we were looking after one of our own and he needs to be in our family.
Because the lads are brilliant to look after him, and reach out to him, which is really, really important. It was very impressive to see it, when it operated, and how Diarmuid flourished in that environment, and that friendship being shared to him...it was brilliant to see.
He was one of our own and we were looking after one of our own, and I think in the context of sport, the GAA is a really good powerful community within, right around the country at looking after their own.
It's a fascinating insight into where Connolly was at before rejoining the Dubs, and how strong the Dublin squad bond is to welcome him back so seamlessly.
Darcy does go on to hint that Gavin may be seriously considering walking away from the job this winter.
“All I will say is that man has put in - and I know I am probably right beside him - but the work and preparation he puts in his phenomenal. I couldn’t put into words the drive and determination of him.
“And the work ethic. You don’t get these things unless you work hard – bottom line. You can have a certain amount of talent, but if you’re not putting in the hard yards, it’s not going to happen for you.
“In fairness to Jim, he leads that work ethic, he’s phenomenal. He just works, works, works so hard and he’s very diligent. I think it has taken a lot out of him, so whether he has the energy to pursue it, I don’t know.
There's much more in Harrington's interview and we recommend anyone interested in this Dublin team read the entire interview on GAA.ie. We hope this is the beginning of a new era of openness from the people behind this famous Dublin team.
