A post on Paul Mannion's Instagram account earlier this month may have piqued the interest of those concerned with the strength of the Dublin fullback line. That's both Dublin fans and those looking for a chink their armour.
"He's back," read the post. The subject was Mannion's Kilmacud Crokes clubmate, Rory O'Carroll.
The three-time All-Ireland winner departed both the Dublin panel and Ireland in early 2016 to travel. Dublin's downfall was predicted as a result. Though they've looked more vulnerable in O'Carroll's absence, Jim Gavin's side have yet to be taken down in the championship.
O'Carroll's return home is only temporary though.
"He was just back for a wedding last weekend," Mannion said at an AIG event on Tuesday.
"He's going back off to Australia now next week or the week after."
O'Carroll's return home coincided with the resumption of the Dublin Senior Football Championship. Kilmacud Crokes beat Raheny in their final group game on September 14th.
"I don't think he was looking to line out anyway," said Mannion.
O'Caroll has been playing the odd bit of football abroad. He was spotted two years ago dishing out some punishment during a game in New Zealand.
I don't know what match fitness or shape he's in at the moment, whether he's match fit or not.
He doesn't talk much, so I don't know myself exactly what he's doing. Last I heard he was working in a female prison as, I'm not sure, not a prison officer, but doing social work there.
He's loving it down there.
"Not any time soon. Maybe next year at some stage, I think," replied Mannion when asked if O'Carroll plans a more permanent return to Ireland at some point.
"I don't think football is at the front of his mind now.
"We'd love to have him back, especially with Crokes."
Dublin Footballer Paul Mannion and Ladies footballer Lyndsey Davey, along with the Sam Maguire and Brendan Martin Cups, were at AIG Insurance’s head office in Dublin today to mark Dublin's All-Ireland wins. AIG’s chosen charity for 2018, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, also joined in the celebrations and were presented with a signed Dublin GAA jersey.
Photo by Sportsfile
