AS BEGINNINGS GO, last night was low-key.
It’s only just over seven miles from Croke Park to the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown but the contrast was stark between the venue where Pat Gilroy finished his stint in charge with the Dublin footballers to the ground where he started out with the Dublin hurlers.
After four years in charge of the Dublin footballers – during which he produced the act of deliverance by halting that 16-year wait for Sam Maguire – his last outing was the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final when a second-half comeback fell short against Mayo.
He bowed out with his reputation embellished before his second act as Dublin manager was confirmed last October, the twist being the county’s hurling team was placed under his supervision.
And so after a trip to Fenway Park last November and to Marino in December, the exhibition stuff ended last night and the competitive fare began.
A Walsh Cup opener on a bone-chilling January Wednesday night was never going to lure the masses.
The setting is just over two years old, €12 million pumped into a facility that ensured the GAA could pitch a home at the sports campus in West Dublin.
Meath were a central theme back in Gilroy’s Dublin football reign. They ransacked the Dublin defence for five goals in 2010, an event that had a profound impact on the county’s football direction. They were the opponents when he won his last piece of silverware in the 2012 Leinster final.
Last night their hurlers provided the challenge. Dublin dished out a 16-point beating but their new supremo was not wheeling away in celebration.
“We want to get to see players and we’ve done a bit of training, but nothing beats playing games,” stated Gilroy.
“It was good to get the result but we wouldn’t be losing sleep over it at this time of year anyway.”
The Dublin team shunted into action was a typical early season mix. Youngsters like 2016 Leinster minor winning captain Paddy Smyth. A couple of attackers like Paul Winters and Fergal Whitely – who struck 0-13 between them – hoping to make their mark.
A corner-forward in Fionn Ó Riain-Broin who shot 2-1 after playing corner-back in the hammering last July at the hands of Tipperary.
The steadying presence of established defenders Shane Barrett and Chris Crummey.
And then there was the return of familiar faces. Alan Nolan was in control in goal and made a smart first-half block. Johnny McCaffrey was full of endeavour at midfield.
Gilroy was heartened to see the man who lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup in 2013 back in action.
“He’s great. Fellas like him, with his attitude and his commitment, those guys don’t shirk anything. They’re still mad hungry for hurling. They want success and they give their best the whole time.
“So it’s great having fellas like him around. As you can see, it’s January and his appetite for the game is well and truly there.”
The bigger challenges lie ahead with reminders last night of the major forces in Leinster.
Gilroy’s right-hand man on the sideline was Anthony Cunningham, perfectly placed to provide an insight into the talent that Galway possess.
In the Meath coaching ranks in front of the main stand were Martin Comerford and Michael Kavanagh, a pair of Cats with 14 All-Ireland senior medals and 8 All-Star awards.
There’s spades of work for Dublin left to do, last night the first step. On Saturday lunchtime Gilroy takes a team to Dr Morris Park to face Tipperary in a challenge.
On Sunday afternoon he’ll wheel another side into action in Parnell Park for a meeting with Antrim, a victory there will propel Dublin into a semi-final.
“Any game is worth more than any training session for us,” outlined Gilroy.
“So it’s just great to get these games in January, particularly for us when we’re new into it, to get the chance to see fellas and give them a fair chance.
“We’ve a few games this month, so it means everyone will get games. And that’s what we want to do at this time of year.”
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