DUBLIN HURLER DAVID ‘Dotsy’ O’Callaghan has called for a combined Tallaght hurling team to help resurrect the game in West Dublin.
O’Callaghan confirmed that he is leaving boyhood club St Mark’s and transferring to Ballyboden St Enda’s so that he can continue to hurl at the highest level.
The 31-year-old hopes that the move to the southside giants will help him to impress new Dubs boss Ger Cunningham and nail down his inter-county spot for the 2015 season.
“It was a very tough thing for me to do,” O’Callaghan said at an AIG media event on Wednesday.
I’ve been at Mark’s all my life and I have had great times and memories there.
“It’s just unfortunate the hurling has slipped back a lot over the last couple of years and a gap has developed in under-age teams where we don’t actually have a team. Mark’s have lost a lot of lads to other clubs and unfortunately they’re unlikely to return.
“I’d be calling for a combined Tallaght hurling team at this stage — maybe that’s something that could be looked at, even for underage as well.
“If you could have something along them lines you could try and raise the standards and maybe you could have a Tallaght team competing in the senior championship at some stage.”
Leaving Mark’s was purely a hurling decision, the former dual star explained.
“It was never something I particularly wanted to do. Ballyboden is down the road from me and I’d be friendly with a lot of lads there too.
“At this stage I’m delighted to have the opportunity. I’m 31, I’m really enjoying my hurling. I’m looking forward to playing at the top level for the next couple of years.”
He added: “Ultimately, I wanted to ensure that I do have a high level of hurling for the next couple of years.
“To have the opportunity to play in the Dublin club championship is great. It’s improving every year, there are more and more teams coming, and there are great managers involved.
It’s something to have outside Dublin but obviously I’d be hoping it would help me in the Dublin situation too.
“To be honest, there hasn’t been any animosity,” he said of the reaction.
“I was over at the AGM. I had dinner in Mark’s over the Christmas. There’s no issue to be honest with you.
“They’ve wished me well. That kind of helped make the move a bit easier for me.”
