WHAT DOES A future opponent and recent teammate make of Jack McCaffrey’s Dublin departure?
That’s the position Niall Kelly finds himself in. Last month he was celebrating as McCaffrey lifted the Sigerson Cup with the pair helping bring UCD into the winners enclosure after a 20-year absence.
But away from Belfield, Kelly is a Kildare man and the type of attacking cog in the Lilywhite machine who tries to halt McCaffrey’s rampaging surges from the Dublin defence.
That flying form will not be witnessed this summer as it was confirmed last Saturday night that Clontarf club man McCaffrey is heading to Africa as part of his medical studies in UCD.
“I didn’t really believe it for a while,” admitted Kelly.
“But he’s had such a fantastic few years. I couldn’t begrudge him going and doing whatever he has to do.
“The world is a big place and he should see as much as he can and take every opportunity he can.
I know it’s mostly because of his college work and trying to get as strong a foothold in that as possible.
“I know football has taken up so much time and effort for him in the last few years and he has reaped the rewards for that.
“I would have to say fair play to him for taking the plunge and going.
“I’m sure it’s hard to leave a set up that is winning loads of trophies and medals and being around a winning squad.
That has to be tough for him. But at the same time, your career is so important and I have to admire him for recognising that.
“Football will always be here for him when he comes back.”
Kelly is in a different place in his football career to McCaffrey. Whereas the Dublin defender is a decorated with awards after triumphs in recent seasons, Kelly has found the inter-county game a more unforgiving environment.
“I’m sure the scenarios are different for each person. Personally, at the moment, because we haven’t succeeded at championship level since I’ve been involved, I would find it hard to go.
“I feel there is unfinished business for Kildare. I would like to be successful first before I made any decisions like that.
“Someone like Jack, he’s won pretty much everything with Dublin and on an individual level as well.”
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