JAMES MCCARTHY HAS hailed the influence of DCU in benefitting his own football career and the developments in Dublin football.
The 24 year-old, who completes his Sports Science degree shortly when he completes his thesis, attributes the third-level assistance as crucial to his rise to becoming a two-time All-Ireland senior football winner.
“I have to put a lot down to DCU. The facilities there are as good as anywhere. It was huge for me to get when where I am.
“Jonny Cooper is there. Paul Flynn, Dean Rock, Bryan Cullen. I would say there are 10 or 12 (Dublin) lads who went through DCU. It’s a massive influence. You’ve got the pool, you’ve got the pitches, you’ve got the gym. Everything’s there.
“You’re playing with some of the best players in the country. A lot of the time I was marking Cathal Cregg or Michael Murphy. When I was younger, I wasn’t used to marking fellas like that. That helped me big time.”
McCarthy believes the DCU influence is not just restricted to Dublin players but reckons a lack of travel for training has assisted the current members of Jim Gavin’s side.
“I’m sure they all would have taken stuff back to their counties. Cathal Cregg is a coach now with Connacht. So I’m sure he would have brought a lot of what he learned to that.
“The advantage we would have had was that we were all in Dublin. I would have played with a good few Donegal lads. And they would have had to – madness – go up on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“Travelling up three or four hours. I’d say that was tough going. I don’t know how they do it.”
McCarthy freely admits that his football career is influencing his decision on whether to prolong his studies or join the working world.
“I don’t know if I want to hit the big bad world. The rest of the lads are telling me to stay there for another year. It helps. Looking at some of the working lads coming to training, they look a bit wrecked.
“Everything you’re doing nowadays, we’re basically professional in everything but name. You’re getting up training Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and then working nine to five. You’re not probably eating as well as you do when you’re in college.
“You would be tired from working nine to five every day, I’d say and then having to rush out to St Clare’s or Inisfails for six o’clock for training. If you have a niggle, you’d be trying to get out and see the physio at five or half five. Definitely, it would effect you. I’ll try and prolong it a bit.”
