A THIRD ALL-Ireland title win in five years has silenced any doubters about Dublin according to defender James McCarthy.
After Dublin’s defence of Sam Maguire was halted by Donegal last August, question marks were raised over Jim Gavin’s side but McCarthy feels that yesterday’s success was a significant response.
“Look, there was a lot of hurt over last year. A lot of people questioned our character.
“A lot of slurry thrown at us, I thought. People calling us cowards and chokers and bottlers.
“There’s a lot of men in there with a lot of medals. As much as you try and block it out, it still creeps through and you hear it.
“It annoyed me and it annoyed a lot of men in that changing room.
“But I think we gave the answer in the last couple of weeks.”
McCarthy had particular praise for Dublin’s midfielders.
“I do be laughing at people saying we’ve a weak midfield. The lads are out there competing for it.
“Brian Fenton is the find of the year for us. He’s been brilliant. Bastick’s an old warrior, a great man. He’s never going to let you down.
“Then Mick is some man to have to come on to see us through.”
McCarthy made a critical contribution himself in Dublin’s half-back line as they established a dominant platform.
“Obviously after last year, we were caught out defensively. They did us for three goals.
“And maybe during the year we were playing too cagey, if you like.
“We’re still trying to hold our defence but I think just after the Mayo game, we said ‘look, we’re going to go for it and not have regrets about it.
“Put them on the back foot a bit but obviously not forsake our defensive duties, but drive forward if we could.”
