IF DAVID TREACY’S career had gone down a different path, he may well be preparing for another tilt at an All-Ireland this summer.
Instead, the Cuala sharpshooter will run out at Croke Park tomorrow afternoon hoping to kick-start Dublin’s hurling championship campaign against Wexford.
The 26-year-old has always been a hurler but he’s played alongside many familiar names in blue – Jonny Cooper, Ross O’Caroll and Diarmuid Connolly – before they opted to go down the football route.
He too could have pursued a career in football but stuck with his first love, and the game he says suits his skillset most.
Speaking alongside Cooper at the launch of Dublin’s new jersey, Treacy shared memories of the year the pair played side-by-side in the hurling panel.
“Yeah, in 2006,” he recalls. “It was my first year as a minor, I was actually a sub that day [against Kilkenny at Nowlan Park]. It’s funny like, we were actually sharing it around on Facebook and stuff like that. The likes of Ross O’Carroll, Cian McBride, Diarmuid Connolly were in midfield, all those faces that have still broken through just from that 2006 match. It’s amazing.”
When asked about a lot of those players of that golden generation choosing football, Treacy added: “It’s their decision to make, I chose hurling.
“I would have played football all the way up to a high level and I won an U21 championship with Cuala. If you have to make a decision and if it’s what you think you are going enjoy the most then go for it.
“You can’t really knock a fella if he’s going to go into the football set-up with a chance of winning an All-Ireland. We cant force lads to go and play hurling, you know?”
Treacy enjoyed great success with the Dubs, winning minor and U21 championships before adding a league and Leinster crown to his collection.
2013 was the last time Dublin tasted provincial glory after falling at the quarter-final stage 12 months ago.
Wexford provide the first opposition this time around and Treacy knows exactly what to expect tomorrow afternoon at HQ.
“Wexford bring what they always bring,” he continued. “It will be the first round of championship for them, they’re preparing as much as we are, putting in the same amount of sessions as we are and they’re passionate, proud hurling men.
“You know what you’re going to get with Wexford and that’s combative, tough, intense hurling. You could argue that they could have beaten Waterford in that league match so we’re not taking them lightly.
Recent history is on Dublin’s side, with Ger Cunningham’s side unbeaten against The Model County in four games, a run which extends back to 2008.
The two counties renew their rivalry as part of a Croke Park double-header with Wexford facing Kildare in the Leinster SFC quarter-final first up at 5.15pm.
Treacy doesn’t believe playing on the bigger stage has any impact on this Dublin side, with the 26-year-old saying the playing surface actually suits their style of play.
“I don’t think teams like coming to Parnell Park but I don’t think that makes any difference between us,” he said. “Croker is a nice pitch that’s suiting our style at the moment, so if you want to play in the championship you have to play well in Croker.
“So look, we played Cork there and we played very well, we played the Walsh Cup final there and played decent enough. It’s just translating these consistent performances, it doesn’t matter where or what pitch.
“We have a lot of fast, fit lads that the ground suits. These big open spaces could suit the likes of Eamon Dillon and stuff like that, but they (Wexford) have plenty of speed especially with all the U21s coming up so it will be interesting to see how we fare.”
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