DUBLIN MIDFIELDER DENIS Bastick’s preparations for Sunday’s All-Ireland final were marred by his car being stolen outside his house in Templeogue.
The 34 year-old won his third All-Ireland medal with victory over Kerry but he endured an eventful build-up to the game after his Audi A4 was stolen.
The Gardaí managed to locate Bastick’s car before the end of last week and it was returned to him before Sunday’s decider.
“I woke up Monday morning and the car was stolen from the driveway – the Monday before the final,” Bastick told The42 at Dublin team’s base at the Gibson Hotel yesterday morning.
“Two guys fished the keys out with a fishing rod through the letterbox and took off with the car, buggy and cash from the tickets from the All-Ireland final.
“So I was dealing with that for the early parts of the week, the Gardaí were great and they actually ended up getting word that the car was in Celbridge with new plates on it, ready to be sold on and moved on.
“So I got it back there at the end of the week.”
Getting the buggy belonging to his seven-month old son Aidan was a top priority.
“That was the big thing. The poor kid was three days in the house, we couldn’t take him out of the house. It was interesting.”
Bastick admitted it was challenging as he tried to get his mindset right before the clash with Kerry.
“From filling out insurance claims forms and talking to people on the phone and stuff it took my mind off the game itself.
“But it was tough going, when you look out the window in the morning and the car is not there in the driveway.
“It upsets things at home, you feel invaded and stuff like that but lucky enough the Gardai were great.
“We have the car back, a small bit of damage but, yeh, a nice little teaser to throw in the mix the week of an All-Ireland final.”
After that pre-match drama, Sunday’s final went to plan for Bastick and his Dublin teammates. For the experienced Templeogue Synge-Street club man, it’s been a golden era.
“I’m blessed. I’m lucky. You come along and there are a lot of great players that went before me, never got a chance.
“I came along at a time when fellas really upped it and performed. That first one is really crucial, to get over that stage.
“We had lost a lot in semi-finals, quarter-finals, looking back I’m happy that I was involved, great memories, great occasions. I’m really proud of my achievements.”
Bastick is unsure whether he will commit to Dublin again for 2016, pointing to the ever growing demands being made on players.
“Work is affected, family life is affected and you really have to balance that up. I’ve a young son there as well.
“I know if I give it another year I’d miss him growing up for another year of his life. Have to weigh it up, if I do move on there is going to be a huge void left.
“This is all I have known for 10 years and it gives you a lot of structure in your own life, keeps you on the straight and narrow.
“For that to be removed, it would be a huge difference in my life and a huge adjustment for me. But I’ll mull over it and see.
“To step away from a great group of guys, the family and team ethos we have and the great days that we have.”
