There will be a peculiar sight in Parnell Park this Saturday evening when former Lions and Irish flanker Eric Miller and his club Ballyboden St Enda's attempt to deny Kilmacud Crokes safe passage towards a third successive Dublin championship title.

Only in recent weeks has Miller reinvented himself as a full forward. Actually, it is more a return to his roots: "Gaelic football was always my sport. It was only when I went to boarding school in Wesley (College) that rugby took over. I have minor and under-21 championship medals (with Ballyboden).

"I was still playing Gaelic in school and I came back from Leicester to play in the Dublin under-21 championship; for whatever reason there was a gap."

Although he only recently turned 31, Miller walked away from professional rugby last season after a decade of highs and lows. The peaks normally coincided with troughs, like the 1997 Lions tour of South Africa when illness denied him a certain starting berth in the most successful touring team of recent times.

Miller was capped 48 times by Ireland and gained a respected reputation right out of school when signed by a great Leicester Tigers team, before a spell with Ulster and eventually back home to Leinster. Donnybrook now gets swapped for Donnycarney.

Recurring injuries and a new career venture as a personal trainer (under the company name Clinical Fitness), alongside wife Jenny, lured Miller out of rugby and allowed him return to his original sporting love. The list of players switching from football to rugby is plentiful, David Beggy and Mick Galwey spring to mind, but few move in the opposite direction.

"It's something I always wanted to return to. It wasn't the decision why I retired - there was a lot of factors - but I did say if I get out of rugby fairly unscathed and still had the legs I'd definitely go back."

If Ballyboden's secret weapon proves effective the comparisons to Kieran Donaghy will not be long starting. Miller doesn't want to foster such notions but he didn't shy away from his ultimate goal: to follow his former rugby team-mates out on to Croke Park, albeit in a Dublin jersey.

"To be honest, that is a big goal but it's down the line yet. I really have to see how I get on at club level and see how we go.

"I've been playing since the beginning of August and it has taken a while to adapt. There are a few of the skills I'm still getting to grips with.

"But I'm getting my eye in again and getting more comfortable with my shooting, which has probably been the quickest thing to come back. As has my feel for where the goal is. Where the sticks are. The other skills can only get better."

One major attribute is his physical presence.

"Full forward is similar to backrow in rugby except you are obviously running a lot more consistently in rugby. Football is a different type of fitness as you must be alert all the time but rugby requires a higher work rate, especially a backrower, probably than most other sports. I know the midfielders and half backs in Gaelic would have something to say about that though.

"Yeah, I do have a physical advantage but guys are getting fitter in Gaelic. There is no doubt about it. And stronger. You notice a lot of the county players are fairly well built."

Miller has tasted the white-hot pressure of international test matches but come Saturday evening the local championship rivalry will bring its own unique experience.

"The intensity levels will be up but I am happy the way we have prepared. It would be beyond my wildest dreams if I am picked in the starting line up, what with all the Dublin lads being back. I would be delighted if I got a run.

"The progress has been good but I will take things as they come."

We'll keep you all updated.