THE FAMILIAR FACES of Cluxton, O’Carroll, O’Sullivan, Connolly and Brogan were all involved as Dublin swept to a third successive league title win yesterday.
But who are the players that have emerged strongly for Jim Gavin’s side during the spring of 2015 and put their hands up to be summer starters?
We’ve picked out seven players who made big progress for Dublin in this year’s league campaign and only two of them saw any game time when Dublin exited the championship at the hands of Donegal last August.
1. Jack McCaffrey
A breakout star in the 2013 All-Ireland win, McCaffrey skippered Dublin to the 2014 All-Ireland U21 crown before enduring a subdued summer at senior level. The Clontarf man only started two championship games as he slipped down the pecking order.
In recent months, McCaffrey has caught the eye with some scintillating displays. His return of 1-7 during the league hints at his potent attacking threat and he’s in a strong position for ownership of that no. 7 Dublin jersey.
2. John Small
He only entered the match with eight minutes left on the clock yesterday but a limited league final cameo shouldn’t conceal what a productive campaign with Dublin it has been for John Small. He may not have been a starter for the Ballymun Kickhams team that contested the 2013 All-Ireland club final but Small enjoyed a rebirth at the heart of the Dublin U21 defence last year.
This year Small established himself on a victorious O’Byrne Cup team and has then started seven league games for Jim Gavin’s side. Admittedly Cian O’Sullivan looked excellent at centre-back yesterday but Small is a live option to fill a holding centre-back role this summer.
3. Ciaran Kilkenny
A cruciate injury robbed Dublin of Ciaran Kilkenny’s talents last season but they’ve been able to utilise him again to date in 2015. Since his comeback appearance against Donegal in February, Kilkenny has demonstrated what he offers the Dublin camp.
He bagged 0-3 in the final against Cork, contributing handsomely to Dublin’s win. His ability to shuttle between centre-forward and full-forward is a big weapon in Dublin’s arsenal.
4. Denis Bastick
Another who was hampered by injury difficulties last summer, Bastick played a peripheral role in Dublin’s 2014 championship journey. He’s been kicking ball regularly in the recent months, starting every one of Dublin’s league matches with the exception of the sleep-inducing clash with Derry.
The Templeogue Synge-Street man was influential in forming Dublin’s midfield control yesterday. With players like Michael Darragh MacAuley to come back into the mix, it’ll be a cut-throat environment but Bastick is well-equipped to make his case for selection.
5. Brian Fenton
There may have been more eye-catching performers on last year’s all-conquering Dublin U21 football team but Fenton did his business efficiently. He’s graduated this spring to now be jostling for a spot on that starting senior fifteen.
Cracked home a fine goal against Monaghan in Clones and pitched in well to the team dominance yesterday. The Raheny youngster looks capable of ticking a box at midfield or half-forward.
6. Tomas Brady
Brady spoke last week of his satisfaction at finally being fed a diet of frequent football matches. A polished hurling career meant he didn’t enter the senior football arena until 2013 when a cruciate injury struck him down.
He’s been one of the bright spots to emerge this spring, slotting in at midfield or half-forward. Apart from substitute cameos against Wexford and Meath, the Na Fianna player didn’t feature for Dublin last summer. That should change in the coming months.
7. Dean Rock
The top scorer in the 2015 Division 1 league may seem an odd inclusion here. Rock didn’t lack appearances in last year’s championship, starting against Wexford and coming on as a sub in Dublin’s other four games.
But he hasn’t got the investment of trust to become a mainstay in the Dublin forward line. The scoring spree this spring will certainly help, his 0-10 haul bringing his overall return to 1-52.
