NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: THE FUTURE of Dublin football begins here: Alan Hubbard at corner back, Denis Bastick at full back, David Henry, James Brogan and Tiernan Diamond in the half-forward line, and, well, Ciarán Whelan at midfield.
These were some of the interesting selections that new manager Pat Gilroy decided on last night for Saturday’s National Football League opener against Tyrone at Croke Park – the increasingly-hyped game that also starts the GAA’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Hubbard is rewarded for his solid impression at the recent training camp in Spain with a starting place at corner back, while Bastick, who played with the Dublin juniors last year, takes over the full-back position knowing it’s been a trouble spot for Dublin.
Henry started every championship match last summer at corner back and makes his senior debut among the forwards, where he is joined by the latest of the Brogan’s from St Oliver Plunkett’s, and Diamond, who first made his mark with St Vincent’s in last year’s run to the All-Ireland title.
Whelan’s selection is interesting, of course, only because he’s sat out the early rounds of the league in recent years, preferring to give his full attention to the championship. There aren’t too many surprises elsewhere: Among those ruled out through injury were Alan Brogan, Tomás Quinn and Colin Moran, while Ross McConnell moves from full back to midfield, and Ger Brennan marks his return to the senior panel with a place at centre back.
Séamus Walsh was expected to get his first senior start in the pivotal full forward attacking position, but Gilroy has kept the 6ft 4in player from St Mary’s, Saggart in reserve.
The repositioning of Henry in the forward line, where he will also wear the captain’s armband, is something the player himself was half-expecting: “Pat was always going to try out some new things, given he’s the new manager,” he said.
“It’s different, sure, but then you have to be comfortable now no matter where you play. Tyrone have probably proved that more than any other team, and last year, against us, had players playing all over the place. It has to be the big plus about their game.
“Of course, just because it works for them doesn’t mean it might work for someone else, but I think with the size of Croke Park as well, you have to be comfortable outside your own little zone. But I’ve played in the forwards, and midfield, with the club, Raheny, and would be comfortable no matter what jersey I get.
“But, overall, it couldn’t be starting a better way. A big game, a big crowd, under lights. And regardless of what happened last year, playing against the All-Ireland champions, regardless of who they are, is something to look forward to. Having said that, we haven’t a whole lot done.
“We’d a good week training out in Spain, but I think every player is nervous going out for the first game of the league. We’re all starting all over again.”
Henry was speaking earlier yesterday at the announcement of Setanta’s league coverage for 2009, which begins with Saturday’s game at Croke Park.
They will be sharing league coverage with TG4 over the coming months, alternating between football and hurling.
Yet, the league, Henry admitted, is still all about trying to juggle short-term and long-term ambitions: “Nobody goes out to lose any game. That goes without saying. But the league is still something of a process, about trying to build a team for the championship. Now, if you go and do win every game then it’s a great bonus, and the best teams in the country usually do win, because they’re the best teams. If we do end up in the play-off then well and good, but it will still be a building process for the championship.
“But we do need to bring more consistency to our game. We’ve played well in games when we needed to play well, and hopefully that will come this year. But we would still feel we’re not that far away. Losing to Tyrone the way we did last year was hard, but you can’t dwell on it. We’ve tried to learn from it. As players, we’ve all looked at the game.
“Hopefully we’re a better team as a result. Losses like that should be character-building.”
Tickets for Saturday’s game (7.30pm throw-in) will be on sale today from the Dublin County Board office in Parnell Park, Donnycarney between 9.30am and 5pm. Priced: Hogan and Cusack Stand: Adults €20, Children €5; Hill 16 Terrace: €15.
DUBLIN (SF v Tyrone): S Cluxton; P Andrews, D Bastick; A Hubbard; B Cullen, G Brennan, B Cahill; R McConnell, C Whelan; J Brogan, D Henry, T Diamond; C Keaney, J Sherlock, B Brogan.
