The Boys in Blue by BeCreative

THE BOYS IN BLUE

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BOYS IN BLUE

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THE BOYS IN BLUE

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Story of a summer BAVARIA 0.0% PROUD PARTNERS OF DUBLIN GAA

2002, the year Ray Cosgrove took the capital by storm

Picture credit: Matt Browne/SPORTSFILE

t was an electric summer for Irish sport. Ireland (sans Roy Keane) were taking on the world in Korea and Japan. And the Boys in Blue were back – serious Championship contenders for the first time in seven years. Ray Cosgrove was at the centre of it all. The Kilmacud Crokes man won an All-Star for his performances that season. He scored 6-23 and celebrated his goals by running in front of Hill 16 with his arms held aloft – an act arguably more suited to a World Cup pitch than a Gaelic Football field. “Celebrating wasn’t a preplanned thing,” says Cosgrove. “The Hill was going bananas. A childhood dream was coming through. It was just spontaneous. Sometimes I look back and think ‘what was I at!’ It was fairytale stuff.” Cosgrove first joined the Dublin panel in 1996 but had to wait until 1999 before making his Championship debut in the Leinster final defeat to Meath. His debut was an anti-climax. He was subbed on only to be summoned back to the bench later in the game. He then fell out of favour under Tommy Carr, before clubmate Tommy Lyons brought him in from the cold three years later and Cosgrove repaid him with a stunning campaign. “Tommy Lyons showed a lot of faith in me throughout the League. He said ‘regardless of how you are playing we are going to stick with you’. He took a chance on me. I would like to think I repaid him throughout 2002. “What happened in 1999 was disappointing. I didn’t get to the pace of the game and it bypassed me. That was a big disappointment. So the 2002 Meath game was huge for me. Dublin players are always judged by how they do against Meath, particularly in those days. So it was very sweet to score 2-3.”

Ray Cosgrove’s memorable moments Dublin 2-11 – 0-10 Meath Leinster semi-final 23/06/02 Despite being marked by Royals legend Darren Fay, Cosgrove scored 2-3 as Dublin recorded their first victory over Meath since 1995. “That was a sweet one alright,” says Cosgrove. “As a kid growing up you always dream of scoring a few goals in Croke Park, especially against ‘the old enemy’. That was a great day.” Pic: Brian Lawless/SPORTSFILE Dublin 2-13 – 2-11 Kildare Leinster final 14/07/02 Dublin had waited seven years to win a Leinster title. Cosgrove can remember the feeling of relief at full time. I will never forget that day. Celebrating with the Delaney Cup in front of the Hill – it’s a wonderful memory.”

Pic: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE

Ultimately 2002 ended in heartbreaking circumstances for Cosgrove and Dublin when his last-gasp free to force a replay with Armagh in the All-Ireland semi-final struck the post. He says the memories he retains of that time are positive in spite of that game. “I scored 0-6 that day. That’s how I remember the game. But I know I will always be remembered for hitting the post at the end. I do keep good memories from that time. But it is tinted with bad memories. The good days far out-weigh the bad ones.” Cosgrove retired from inter-county football in 2008 after a Division 2 league final defeat to Westmeath. “I knew it was over once I got on the team bus after that game. It was

the right time to pack it in. I rang Pillar the following day and told him and he was understanding. “Not everyone gets to go out on a high like Henry Shefflin or Brian O’Driscoll. I went out on a low ebb but with plenty of good memories.” Today, Cosgrove is part of ex-teammate Johnny Magee’s management team in Wicklow. He is preparing for yet another tough battle with the Royals “The League didn’t go as well as we would have liked. But preparation is going well. We have a few challenge games organised which will give us a good indication of where we are at. We are looking forward to getting down to Navan on July 14th.” It is safe to say that every Dub will be cheering Cosgrove on once again.

CONSISTENCY 04 CHASING Kevin McManamon is looking forward to a long summer in a blue jersey ROAD TO SEPTEMBER 06 TheTHEpaths to claim Sam and Liam are full of pitfalls A GIRL IN BLUE 07 Lyndsey Davey discusses the ladies football Championship ahead

08 “I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY CORK AGAIN. IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET ONE OVER THEM” 10 The Dublin hurlers are hunting All-Ireland success 11

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KEEPING YOUR BALANCE Paul Schutte on balancing work, exams and hurling with Dublin

Dublin 3-09 – 1-09 Derry Round 2 qualifier 28/06/03 Dublin travelled north to Clones to face Derry. The occasion was a novelty for Cosgrove. “It was great to be away from Croke Park and out of our comfort zone. I will always remember, because there was a minor match on, we had to warm up away from the ground and walk back through the town to play the game!” Pic: David Maher / SPORTSFILE *EDI* Dublin 3-17 – 0-12 Laois Leinster semi-final 25/06/06 On his first Championship start in three years Cosgrove stole the show—scoring 1-3. “My form had gone a bit stale. Paul ‘Pillar’ Caffrey showed faith in me. He told me ‘you have loads of football left in you!’ It was nice to get back in the team and score. I have to thank Pic: Pillar for having faith Brian Lawless in me. /SPORTSFILE

Two games all Dubs will want to forget Armagh 1-14 v Dublin 1-13 All-Ireland semi-final 01/09/02 Heartbreak for Cosgrove and Dublin in this defeat. “I won man of the match that day. I get stick for hitting the post. People forget the other contributions that I made throughout the game.”

Pic: Brian Lawless /SPORTSFILE

Pic: Brian Lawless/SPORTSFILE Mayo 1-16—2-12 Dublin All-Ireland semi-final 27/08/06 Dublin are defeated, again by the narrowest of margins. 2006 was arguably the closest Cosgrove came to collecting an All-Ireland medal. “The atmosphere was electric. We were seven points up. I was substituted during the second half and I got a high five from Pillar. I thought I could look forward to an All-Ireland final. But the game went away from us.”

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CONTENTS

Zero Limits

www.becreative.ie OF THE FUTURE 12 5STARS young Dubs to keep an eye on EXTRA PERCENTAGE 13 THE What is the secret to the success? NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER: A HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE 14

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UP A STORM 15 BREWING Since establishing the Rye River Company in 2013, Niall Phelan, Alan Wolfe and Tom Cronin have been on quite a journey

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4 THE BOYS IN BLUE

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Chasing consistency Train Hard. Train Smart A peak inside a Dublin training session

he Dublin senior football team is packed with some of the best sporting talent in the country. But exactly how do these players shape up in training before big games?

THE BASICS

Kevin McManamon bursts through the Kerry defence enroute to scoring the second Dublin goal late in the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Kevin McManamon is looking forward to a long summer in a blue jersey, writes Mark Corcoran

evin McManamon is a man for the big moment. Against Kerry in the 2011 All-Ireland final, Dublin were trailing by four points with seven minutes to go. McManamon received a pass from Alan Brogan, skipped past Declan O’Sullivan and slotted the ball into the Hill 16 net. “McManamon dodging, McManamon scoring! Kevin McManamon has kicked a beauty.” RTE commentator Ger Canning could hardly hide his excitement. “He has made a difference in the semi-final and now he has made a difference in the final itself.” The St Jude’s clubman made a big difference in that final. He turned the game in Dublin’s favour and created the platform for Stephen Cluxton to kick the winning score. Fast-forward two seasons and again he was a goalscoring hero for Dublin against Kerry, this time in the All-Ireland semi-final. With two minutes to go the game was tied. Winning a breaking ball in the middle of the field, he raced through the heart of the Kerry defence and floated the ball over goalkeeper Brendan Kealy and into the net. The Dubs were on their way to another final. Once again Dublin fans were tipping their caps to McManamon.

“

I’m not really chasing moments. I’m chasing performances

Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE

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Getting the basics right is the biggest focus at a Dublin training session according to star forward Kevin McManamon. “We focus a lot on the skills of the game, for example, kicking balls over the bar while under pressure. There is a lot of technical work involved – ball handing, forwards shooting and backs tackling – it’s not

rocket science!” What is the biggest difference between training at club level and at elite sports level with Dublin? “The big difference is the attitude that players bring to it. ‘Train Hard and Train Smart’. It’s not exactly our motto but it’s how we approach training. If you are training with the right attitude and the right intensity you are going to improve.”

SWITCHING THINGS UP

Too much repetition can lead to boredom and no player wants to be bored with their training. McManamon says that Dublin manager Jim Gavin and his coaching team

are very good at keeping things interesting. “You need variety to enjoy whatever kind of training you are doing. Mixing it up is important. For example we train in a range of venues across the city. Recently we were using facilities in Balgriffin. We also have really good coaches who keep the sessions interesting.” This year Jim Gavin enlisted the help of renowned basketball coach Mark Ingle to help with the team. While the development made headlines McManamon says it was no big deal. “Too much was made out of that. We were just trying to mix things

up in January. We did some indoor fitness sessions with him. He is a good guy and a very good basketball coach.” When McManamon was first introduced to the Dublin panel, under Pat Gilroy’s managerial reign, the team regularly took part in 6am training sessions. “We don’t do those sessions any more,” he says. “I was always a fan of the 6am sessions because it meant I had my evenings free. I was up early anyway so I didn’t mind doing them. Although it wasn’t great doing them in January!”

THE OPPOSITION

How much training time do the Dubs allocate to focusing on opposition? Not much according to McManamon. “I think you can get a bit obsessed with what the opposition are doing. Of course, you do your homework. You have to be aware of the challenge that is in front of you. The key is to maximise your own potential. It’s all about getting your own head right and getting your mindset right as you approach big games.”

MAKING THE STARTING 15

To earn playing time McManamon must compete with some of the best forwards in the country – from experienced players like Alan Brogan to new kids on the block like Cormac Costello. How exactly can he give himself the edge to ensure he receives a jersey from the manager? “It’s a big challenge,” he says. “When I do get into the team it puts a smile on my face and fills me with confidence. It is always a big vote of confidence from the management

to get in the team when there is so much talent available. “It’s really exciting in the summer when we start having internal practise games. That for me is the most enjoyable part of playing with Dublin. There is a great atmosphere in the team and a great bond between the players. The management always pick the players that have done well in those internal games. I think that is the right way to do it.”

BE READY

After Manchester United’s recent defeat to Everton, Manager Louis van Gaal said he feared his side would struggle after watching the team warm-up. McManamon says that players need to be switched on for a game from the moment they swing their leg out of bed that morning. “You have to be ready in the days leading into a game. In my experience, motivational speeches and screaming and shouting from a manager doesn’t necessarily work. You are in charge of yourself. You have to be ready to go from the time you wake up in the morning.”

WORKING WITH JAYO

Dublin legend Jason Sherlock joined Jim Gavin’s management team at the start of the 2015 season. McManamon says he enjoys brainstorming with his fellow sharpshooter before big games. “I have a lot of time for ‘Jayo’. It is great to be able to bounce ideas off him and Jim too who was also a forward. Jason has a very good football brain. He has fitted in well. He brought in a lot of new ideas and we are trying to implement them into our system.”

ESCAPE

“It is something I will probably never escape,” says McManamon, speaking about the 2011 final goal. “It was a great thing. But I have put it behind me. It was four years ago. I was a completely different type of player. I was a completely different type of bloke.” Now in his fifth season in the Dublin squad, McManamon says he spends little time reflecting on the great moments he has enjoyed in a blue jersey. When the day comes that he must call time on his career, he hopes to be remembered as a great Dublin attacker rather than for a particular goal in one game. “Those two goals were just moments. I’m not really chasing moments. I’m chasing performances. Consistency is the big thing for me. It’s probably the reason I haven’t started as many Championship games as I would have liked. When people look back at my career I would like them to remember me for good performances rather than just moments.”

PERFORMANCE

McManamon started Dublin’s League final victory over Cork, putting in a memorable performance. Though he scored only 0-1, he terrorised the Rebel defence from start to finish. He says that while the team enjoyed winning the League final, their third such victory in three years, it wasn’t long until the focus had shifted to the next challenge. “We enjoyed the Sunday night and just parked it then. You have to try and keep your head down and put the blinkers on. You can’t get carried away. “This time last year we were sitting pretty after a big winning margin in the League final and we ended up losing in the All-Ireland semi-final. That felt like an unsuccessful year for us. At the end of the day the League is the League. It’s all about trying to win an All-Ireland for Dublin this year.”

Dublin’s 2014 Championship campaign was ultimately derailed by Donegal in August. While McManamon says that Dublin have put the defeat behind them, it is clear from the team’s performances throughout the League that much work has been done to create new tactical options to combat blanket defenses. “We were probably a little bit rigid in our tactics that day and they were able to exploit it – particularly with the couple of goals from kick-outs. We were given a game plan that we didn’t stick to for 70 minutes. Had

we done that we might have won the game. But it just didn’t happen. You learn your lesson and you get on with it.”

MEMORY

With that memory firmly consigned to the past it is time to switch attention to Championship 2015. So what will constitute as a successful season for Dublin this year? “It’s a dangerous question to answer. The first thing you have to get right is yourself and your own performances. No matter what

happens at the end of the year, you might be able to find some sense of satisfaction if you can get good performances out of yourself. “But people are only going to be happy if the team wins an All-Ireland title. That adds a bit of pressure. After winning two All-Irelands and three League titles we know that we are definitely in the top four teams in the country. But that means that at the end of the year three teams will be disappointed. We just hope we won’t be one of those teams.” The Hill can only hope too.

Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE

“

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The road to September The paths to claim Sam and Liam are full of pitfalls. Mark Corcoran looks at the teams the Boys in Blue are likely to face on their respective quests to claim silverware in September

FOOTBALL

HURLING

KERRY

CORK

As Kerry meandered through Championship 2014, many people believed they were a team in transition. Talisman Colm Cooper was sidelined with an ACL injury. Before the epic semi-final draw with Mayo, Kieran Donaghy had played just three minutes of Championship football. It was left to less established talents to drive the team forward. On and on they went, defeating Donegal to win a largely unexpected, certainly by those outside the Kingdom, All-Ireland title last September. And the defending champions only stand to get better. Let that sink in. The Gooch returns to the fold and will no-doubt be eager to make up for lost time. Tommy Walsh is back in the famous green and gold jersey after a five year stint in Australia. Add to the mix 2014 Player Of The Year James O’Donoghue, and talents like Paul Geaney and Barry John Keane – and it is clear that Kerry will be a handful for any team this season. Are Dublin and Kerry on-course for a September showdown? Time will tell.

MAYO

Last September Mayo named not one, but two, replacements to

Ger Cunningham might well be hoping that his Dublin team are not drawn against Cork anytime soon. The Rebels beat Dublin twice during the League – including coming from 12 points down to claim victory in the semi-final. Jimmy Barry-Murphy has endured a roller-coaster ride since his return to management with Cork in 2011. JBM’s All-Ireland dreams were dashed in 2013 by Clare, in an All-Ireland final replay, and in 2014 by Tipperary at the semi-final stage. The Reds will launch what they hope will be a successful Munster campaign against Waterford in Thurles on June 7th.

GALWAY

Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE succeed James Horan as manager. 2015 is the maiden voyage of the Pat

Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

MEATH

Can any team stop Dublin from marching through Leinster? The most likely challenge will probably come from the Royal County. This could be the fourth year in a row that Dublin face Meath in a Leinster final. While the Dubs comfortably beat the Royals in last year’s decider, the 2013 and 2012 finals were not as comfortable. Late scores in 2014 helped Dublin to win by seven points in 2014, however in 2013 the gap between the sides was only three. This is Mick O’Dowd’s third year in the Meath hot-seat but he will be hoping it’s fourth time lucky for the Royals in the Leinster final.

Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Holmes and Noel Connelly co-management team. We’ll soon find out if they will sink or sail on towards September. Their League form was patchy – three wins, three defeats and a draw. An impressive victory over Kerry in Round 1 was arguably the highlight. The low point was undoubtably the 14 point drubbing they received at the hands of the Dubs in Castlebar. To retain their provincial title Mayo will likely have to overcome both Galway and Roscommon – by no means an easy feat. In 2015 the winners of the Leinster and Connacht Championships (or the team that defeats them in the quarter-finals) are scheduled to meet at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. While Dublin fans carry fond memories of the 2013 All-Ireland final, Mayo have beaten Dublin in their last two meetings at the semi-final stage (2006 & 2012). They will no doubt fancy their chances of making it three-in-a-row this year.

Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE

KILKENNY

It has been a turbulent spring for the reigning All-Ireland champions. The ‘King’ (talisman Henry Shefflin) finally called it quits after 16 seasons and to make matters worse Brian Cody’s team were very nearly relegated in the League – only beating Clare by a point in a playoff. But write Kilkenny off at your peril. If Dublin are to reach a Leinster final it is likely they will face the Cats. And Dublin’s

Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Galway are Dublin’s first opponent in Leinster. Dubliners have happy memories of the last time these two sides clashed in the province. In that game Anthony Daly managed the Dubs to win their first Leinster title in 52 years. And Dublin were victorious again by six points when the sides met in the League in March. But the men in maroon and white are a dangerous outfit – after all they do have Joe Canning in their ranks. Galway were very unlucky not to have defeated Kilkenny in last year’s campaign and on any given day they will feel they can beat anybody. The Dubs will need to heed the warning.

recent Championship form against Kilkenny hardly makes for encouraging reading. Kilkenny have beaten Dublin five times over the last six seasons. Dublin’s only victory came in a replay en-route to winning the Leinster title in 2013. While Dublin did beat Kilkenny during the League, make no mistake about it, beating them again in a Leinster final would be a huge achievement for Ger Cunningham’s team.

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A GIRL IN BLUE

THE BOYS IN BLUE 7

Captain of the Dublin Ladies senior football team Lyndsey Davey speaks with Eric Davidson about the Championship ahead, as well as a new era that’s dawning for Irish women in sport

yndsey Davey has been playing sport all of her life. She began her footballing career at age five with her local club Skerries Harps, and from a young age made her mark at an inter-county level. “I played other sports but football was the one I loved the most and I always stuck with it. I joined the Dublin Ladies senior football team when I was 14, which means I’ve been playing on that level for around 11 years!” This season Lyndsey was named captain. She is aware that she has some big boots to fill, but she’s relishing the opportunity. “When you’re younger you always want to play for your county at a senior level and now to be captain is just fantastic. It was a massive honour, especially when your following in the footsteps of players like Martina Farrell and Denise Masterson.”

IN BLUE

Reflecting on a successful 2015 League campaign, Lyndsey is confident going forward into the upcoming Championship. “Overall we’re happy with how the League went. We were disappointed in our last performance, losing by 12 points to Galway. However, we know this year that we have such a young squad after losing a few of the more

experienced players. Having said that, we’re happy to give the younger girls some game time and a bit of experience in competitive games.” The 2014 Championship saw Dublin’s run ended by Cork in a dramatic final. The Rebelettes came from behind to beat the Girls in Blue 2-13 to 2-12. “Last year’s Championship result was tough to get over. But our aim was to use the League as a building block and hopefully get back to Croke Park in September.”

WOMEN IN SPORT

According to Lyndsey, the way the general public view female sports in Ireland is changing. With many female Irish athletes performing so well on the world stage it has a knock-on effect to all women in sport. “The ladies national rugby team as well as individuals like Katie Taylor and Stephanie Roche are all getting publicity which is driving it forward for other females in sports. People are really starting to take notice of how much dedication players in ladies football are putting in.” With confidence high, youthful exuberance within the team, and captain Lyndsey driving them on, there’s no reason why the Girls in Blue can’t go all the way this summer.

Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

2015 GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship

2015 GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship

Picture credit: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

Leinster Round 1 Offaly vs. Longford Saturday May 16th

Carlow vs. Laois Saturday May 16th

Louth vs. Westmeath Sunday May 17th

Quarter-Finals Dublin vs. Offaly / Longford Sunday May 31st

Wexford vs. Louth / Westmeath Sunday June 14th

Kildare vs. Laois / Carlow Saturday June 6th

Meath vs. Wicklow Sunday June 14th

Semi-Finals Offaly / Longford / Dublin vs. Laois / Carlow / Kildare Sunday June 28th Louth / Westmeath / Wexford vs. Wicklow / Meath Sunday June 28th

Leinster Final Sunday July 12 The Dublin football team which defeated Cork to win a third League title in a row. Picture credit: Cody Glenn / SPORTSFILE

Connaught Quarter-Finals Leitrim vs. Galway Sunday May 17th

London vs. Roscommon Sunday May 24th

Qualifiers Round 1A: Saturday June 20th

Round 2B: Saturday July 11th

The eight counties on the A side of the Provincial Championship that do not qualify for the Provincial Semi-Finals

Each of the four teams defeated in the B side Provincial Semi-Finals will play against one of the four winners from Round 1A

Semi-Finals

Mayo vs. Galway / Leitrim Sunday June 14th

Sligo vs. Roscommon / London Saturday June 20th

This Round will involve the four winners of Round 2A

Sunday July 19th

Round 1B: Saturday June 27th The eight counties on the B side of the Provincial Championship that do not qualify for the Provincial Semi-Finals

Leinster

Qualifiers

Quarter-Finals

This round will involve the eight teams defeated in the Munster and Leinster Quarter and Semi-Finals. Teams will be drawn from two bowls which will be as follows: 1. Four Leinster Championship Teams 2. Three Munster plus one Leinster Championship Team. The teams will play on a knock-out basis. A draw of four pairings of Group 1 v Group 2 teams, with avoidance of repeat pairings, will be made. The four winners will progress to Round 2.

Dublin vs. Galway Offaly vs. Leinster Group Winner Wexford vs. Leinster Group Runner Up

Sunday May 31st Sunday June 7th Sunday June 7th

Dublin / Galway vs. Offaly / Leinster Group Winner Kilkenny vs. Wexford / Leinster Group Runner Up

Waterford vs. Tipperary May 30th/31st

Leinster Final

Round 3B: Saturday July 18th

Sunday July 5th

This Round will involve the four winners of Round 2B

Round 4A: Saturday July 25th

Semi-Finals Kerry vs. Waterford / Tipperary June 13th/14th

Cork vs. Clare / Limerick June 13th/14th

Munster Final

Round 1 Winner vs. Round 1 Winner

Sunday July 5th

Munster

Each of the two teams defeated in the Provincial Finals (Connacht, Munster) will play against one of the two winners of Round 3A

Clare vs. Limerick Round 4B: Saturday August 1st Each of the two teams defeated in the Provincial Finals (Leinster, Ulster) will play against one of the two winners of Round 3B

Ulster

Semi-Finals

Quarter-Finals Cavan vs. Monaghan Sunday May 24th

Derry vs. Down Sunday June 7th

Fermanagh vs. Antrim Sunday May 31st

Armagh vs. Donegal / Tyrone Sunday June 14th

Derry / Down vs. Armagh / Donegal / Tyrone Saturday June 27th

Ulster Final Sunday July 19th

Saturday July 11th

The Provincial Finalists play a Round 2 winner. Subject to avoidance of repeat pairings, where feasible, a draw will be made to determine the pairings.

Munster Provincial Final Runner Up vs. Round 2 Winner

Sunday July 26th

Leinster Provincial Final Runner Up vs. Round 2 Winner

Sunday July 26th

Sunday July 12th

All-Ireland Quarter-Finals

All-Ireland Semi-Finals

Semi-Final

Sunday August 2nd

Sunday August 23rd

Provincial Final Winner (Connaught) vs. Round 4A Winner

Munster * vs. Ulster *

Ulster

Sunday August 30th

Quarter-Finals

Sunday August 2nd Provincial Final Winner (Munster) vs. Round 4A Winner

Semi-Finals Cavan / Monaghan vs. Fermanagh / Antrim Sunday June 21st

Sunday June 7th Sunday June 21st

Munster Final

Preliminary Round Donegal vs. Tyrone Sunday May 17th

Sunday May 24th

Waterford vs. Cork Tipperary vs. Clare / Limerick

Round 2

Quarter-Finals

Round 2A: Saturday July 4th Each of the four teams defeated in the A side Provincial Semi-Finals will play against one of the four winners from Round 1A

Saturday July 4th

Saturday June 20th Sunday June 21st

Quarter-Finals Clare vs. Limerick May 30th/31st

Round 1

Group 1 vs. Group 2

Semi-Finals

Round 3A: Saturday July 11th

Connaught Final

Munster

The Dublin squad pictured before their hurling League quarter-final victory over Limerick. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Saturday August 8th Provincial Final Winner (Leinster) vs. Round 4A Winner

Saturday August 8th Provincial Final Winner (Ulster) vs. Round 4A Winner

Leinster * vs. Connacht * * Provincial champions or a team that defeats them

All-Ireland Final Sunday September 20th

Donegal vs. Derry Armagh vs. Down

Provincial Champions play a Quarter-Final winner, draw to be made to determine pairings subject to the respective Provincial Champions not meeting the defeated finalists from their own Province at this stage and, where feasible, the avoidance of repeat pairings.

Sunday June 21st Sunday June 21st

Leinster Provincial Winner vs. Quarter-Final Winner

Sunday August 9th

Munster Provincial Winner vs. Quarter-Final Winner

Sunday August 16th

Semi-Final Quarter Final Winner vs. Quarter Final Winner

Sunday June 28th

All-Ireland Final

Ulster Final Antrim vs. Semi Final Winner

Sunday July 12th

Sunday September 6th

10 THE BOYS IN BLUE

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“I would love to play Cork again. It would be great to get one over them” The Dublin hurlers are hunting All-Ireland success, writes Mark Corcoran

to win their first League title in 72 years. Two years later he collected the Bob O’Keeffe trophy as Dublin beat Galway in the Leinster final. “Walking up the steps of the Hogan Stand as captain was unreal. It is something that you dream about when you are growing up. They are great memories that I have and they definitely do push me on. When you know what it is like to win you want to win again. This team knows what it is like to win big games and we want more.”

“O

verall it was a positive experience,” says Johnny McCaffrey of Dublin’s hurling League campaign. “We had a lot of good wins. And the defeats to Cork and Clare were good games.” Dublin’s hopes of making it to a League final were dashed by Cork in spectacular fashion at the semi-final stage. The Rebels somehow came from 12 points down to topple the Boys in Blue. It wasn’t long before the negatives were put behind them. Why focus on the down side when so many positives are there for all to see? “We have put it to bed. We have learned from the mistakes that we made, particularly towards the end of the game. But there were a lot of positives to take out of it. Our scoring consistency was good in the first half and we created a lot of good chances in the second half and played some very good hurling. You try to take the positives out of it and move on.” Cork defeated Dublin twice during the league. Rather than fearing the men from the south, the Lucan Sarsfields clubman is hoping that the two teams will meet again at some stage during the summer. “I would love to play Cork again. It would be great to get one over them. They have beaten us in the

TRICKY

Can Dublin win the Leinster Championship and reclaim the Bob O’Keeffe cup? Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE League and also in the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final. I want to put right the wrongs that happened in those games.”

PROGRESS

And who better to help the Dubs overcome the Rebels then new manager Ger Cunningham – a Cork native. McCaffrey says that, while it is still relatively early days in the lifecycle of this management team, things are progressing nicely so far. “A lot of progress has been made over the last six years with Anthony Daly. We are trying to build on that now and get to the next level. “Ger brings in a new voice and

a freshness to the team. He has introduced younger lads on to the panel. There are places in the team that are up for grabs. Competition for places can only be a good thing. It drives lads on. Everyone is looking to impress and put their best foot forward.” Dublin claimed some big wins during the League – including beating Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. The race for Liam McCarthy in 2015 will be a very open one with many teams feeling they have a realistic chance of claiming glory in September. But can Dublin make the breakthrough in 2015? “All you can do is prepare well and

try to put your best foot forward. Sometimes it comes down to a bit of luck on the day. You need to stay clear of injuries too so that you can pick your best team. Small details make a big difference. “We feel very positive about it. There are a lot of teams who will feel they have a great chance of winning it. That’s everyone’s goal. There are a lot of good teams there that on a given day can beat any other team. That will make for a very interesting Championship.” McCaffrey has had quite a distinguished career with the Boys in Blue, having first joined the senior panel in 2006. In 2011 he captained Dublin

First up for Dublin is another tricky encounter with the Tribesmen, this time in a Leinster quarter-final. Win this one and the team could be set for a summer to remember. “It is great to start the Championship with a big game like this. If you win you are going into the later stages of the Leinster Championship knowing that you have beaten a top team. It breeds confidence. A win would set us up for the summer.” Dublin defeated Galway in Round 5 of the League in March. McCaffrey says that victory will have little impact on this game. “Beating them during the League gives us a bit of confidence going into the game. But at the end of the day it is a few months since we have played them. We know Galway will have improved since then. We hope that we have too. It will be a very close game. It’s all about who turns up on the day and performs the best. “Preparations in training are going well. We are looking forward to the game.” Roll on May 31st.

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Keeping your balance

Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

A member of the Dublin senior hurling team since 2011, Paul Schutte has won League and Leinster titles while also pursuing a career and studying for banking exams. Like any high performing athlete, balancing other aspects of his life can be difficult, so how does Paul do it? Eric Davidson investigates

“I

t’s definitely very difficult to balance playing for club and county with a career,” Paul explains. “You can see from the amount of people retiring recently just how difficult it’s getting.” Training five days a week, along with working full-time isn’t always easy, especially when players like Paul have to juggle many other things too. “I’m also doing exams at the moment, so it’s very hectic. You really have to surround yourself with supportive people because you have to make sacrifices. However, we haven’t won the All-Ireland yet, so we’re always trying to go that extra mile. So the demands are increasing.” After suffering from a back injury last year Paul also took up Pilates, which is another time consuming activity. “I wasn’t able to walk or run, so I had to start doing Pilates on top of the training I already did. If I stop that for even a week or two I find myself struggling to run, so it’s

Picture credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE

necessary to fit it into my schedule.”

WORTHWHILE

However, the opportunity to play for your county makes all this juggling of time worth it. And Paul is not short of great memories in a Dublin jersey. “It’s hard to pick a favourite moment for Dublin. It’s a toss of the coin between winning the League in 2011 and winning the Leinster Championship in 2013. “In theory it’s better to win a Leinster Championship, but at the same time Dublin hadn’t won a significant trophy in many years, which meant the League victory was extra sweet. It was unexpected, so it felt like a bigger achievement.” Paul says his teammates are excited to get stuck into the upcoming Championship. “This is what gets you through the winter months,” he explains. “All of the demands and sacrifices are worth it when you think about running out onto that field in Croker. We’re really looking forward to it.”

5 ways Paul balances a sporting life ORGANISATION IS KEY

“It’s not possible to play at an inter-county level, work and study without planning. At the start of the week we get a team schedule so I know when we’re training and what’s in store for the week. It means I can plan for everything else, like study.”

EATING TO WIN

“Making sure you’re eating right means you can go for longer in training and on the pitch, without being tired in work. It’s as simple as that. “I also prepare my meals for the following day the night before to save time. You can’t leave everything down to the last minute or it won’t get done.”

TIME TO RECOVER

“Eight hours sleep is obviously ideal, but the lads who are working find that a bit difficult. You can sometimes get home from training at 11pm and some of us have to be up for work at 6:30am. “In a perfect world you’d get the right amount of sleep, but there are other ways around it. We always

John McCaffrey leads out the team. Picture credit: Diarmuid Greene / SPORTSFILE

find if you get a good smoothie or have an ice bath after training that helps recovery.”

BOUNCING BACK

“If you do get injured there are ways to make sure it doesn’t affect your mindset. I find doing your recovery around your team mates helps massively. You get the support from them and you see what you’re working to get back to, which gives you a lift. “I’ve been riddled with injuries, and there would be people at the same standard as me who have gotten injured and let it affect them. But my advice would be to persevere and don’t give up if there’s a set back.”

A SOCIAL LIFE

“Managing a social life is something all inter-county players struggle with. It comes back to time management. If you box off your study, work and gym time that means you can just relax when you have time with your family. “At the end of the day, hurling plays a massive role in our lives but you need to find the right balance. You need family time.”

12 THE BOYS IN BLUE

BAVARIA 0.0% PROUD PARTNERS OF DUBLIN GAA Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Cormac Costello

Mark Corcoran profiles 5 promising young Dubs to keep an eye on

Emmet O’Conghaile

Picture credit: Piaras Ó Midheach / SPORTSFILE

Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

Kicking two crucial points in the O’Byrne Cup final win over Kildare earlier this year certainly did Shane Carthy’s prospects no harm. The Naomh Mearnóg player featured three times throughout the League campaign – chipping in on the scoresheet with 0-2. Having made his senior debut last season, Carthy will be hoping to claim a midfield or half-forward as the season progresses.

Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE

Brian Fenton

The Raheny midfielder came to prominence in 2014, playing a key role in Dublin’s All-Ireland under-21 success. Two footed and very mobile for a big man, he looks a real prospect for Jim Gavin’s side. This season he has grabbed his opportunity on the senior panel with both hands. He scored 1-1 and showed impressive physicality and work rate in his first senior start against Monaghan in Clones. He also started the League final victory over Cork, putting in an impressive performance. Midfield is the one area of the pitch where Dublin could do with increased options and the Raheny man could be one to watch here.

Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

The Lucan Sarsfields’ midfielder has been around the senior panel long enough to pick up an All-Ireland medal in 2013 as well as three NFL and two Leinster medals while he also won two under-21 All-Ireland titles. He boasts very impressive high fielding skills and is well able to kick scores from long range. During the League he notched 0-4 from six appearances for the Dubs. Undoubtably there are shades of Dublin legend Ciarán Whelan about him – something which Jim Gavin alluded to when speaking during the O’Byrne Cup in January. “They are very similar type players,” said Gavin. “He (O’Conghaile) is very good at taking his scores and one of the best high fielders we have technically.”

Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

Philip McMahon with Dublin manager Jim Gavin. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Shane Carthy

The Whitehall Colmcille clubman made a big impression for the Dublin seniors last season. The young sharpshooter notched 1-10 in Championship 2014, including 1-5 off the bench in the Leinster semi-final against Wexford. Costello is a man in demand. He has been courted by the senior Hurling team for several seasons. In fact, 2013 Dublin hurling All Star Danny Sutcliffe once described him as the ‘best hurler at his age in Ireland’ - but like many dual players in the capital, his future appears to be committed to the large ball. Football fans can breath a sigh of relief. The best is yet to come.

Stars of the future

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To date, David Byrne has amassed an impressive haul of silverware. He was captain of the Dublin team which beat Meath to win the 2012 All-Ireland minor title in 2012. He was full back on the 2014 under-21 side that also won the All-Ireland, beating Roscommon in the final, and also captained the under-21s to a Leinster title earlier this year. In 2013 the young defender also helped his club Naomh Olaf’s win the Dublin Intermediate Championship. Byrne made three appearances for the senior squad during the 2015 League campaign. His versatility means he can play in a number of defensive positions. Though we may not see much of him this summer he is certainly one to keep an eye on in the future.

The big breakthrough Paul Griffin knows a thing or two about thriving at senior level The former Dublin defender captained the Boys in Blue to a Leinster title in 2009. Back in 2003 he was at the core of Dublin’s first ever under-21 All-Ireland winning team. Whether you are a young club or inter-county player, it is vital, according to Griffin, to grasp your opportunity at senior level when it comes along. “Adult football is different to minor and underage football,” says the Kilmacud Crokes clubman. “It can be a big transition for young players. Under-21 is a really important grade in terms of bridging the gap between minor and senior. A lot of young players have to be patient around that age. And then it is important that they take the opportunity that is given to them. “Most teams seem to be quite proactive in giving young players a chance. The key is to use the skills that you have and that have brought you to that point and developing them further. It is always good to look to experienced play-

THE EXTRA PERCENTAGE

David Byrne

ers to give you advice. Yes there is competition for places but no one wants to prevent someone from making a breakthrough if they are going to be a good footballer.” Griffin says that, judging by the talent that is coming through the ranks, a bright future is in-store for Dublin GAA. “Dublin have put a big emphasis on underage over the last 10 years. And they are baring the fruits of that now. The biggest resource that they have put in is time. People have been helping out at underage – from under-14 right the way up to the minors and under-21s. It’s not about having money or equipment or resources it is about having the right people involved and good quality coaching. “They have worked on the basics of the game. The players that are coming through at the moment all have great football skills and that has given them the opportunity to develop into good senior footballers.”

The Dublin senior football team have enjoyed massive success in recent years – winning two All-Ireland titles in four years and three League titles in a row. Mark Corcoran spoke with defender Philip McMahon to discover the secret to the success.

we have after games can change from time to time, generally we have fish, vegetables and potatoes or pasta.” Dietary behaviour can vary from team-toteam and from sport-to-sport. For example, when the Barcelona soccer team return to their dressing room at the end of a match at Camp Nou, the players can enjoy seemingly any food they like. Leo Messi opts for a cheese pizza with a bottle of Sprite! This is not a practice that McMahon, who recently worked with Shamrock Rovers as

a strength and conditioning coach, would recommend.

CULTURE

“The ‘cheat meal’ culture has grown in soccer. Players feel like they have trained well or worked hard in the game and they want this sort of food. I found this culture at Rovers. The players told me they normally had pizzas after games. I told them they weren’t doing that anymore. “My big worry was that the lads were

hile the team is filled with some of the best footballing talent in the country - players who train hard week-in and week-out - there is another factor driving the team forward – diet! Dublin defender Philip McMahon says that when preparing for a big game it is important to fill the body with plenty of the right fuel. “It is possible to eat healthy without getting enough ‘good’ food into your body. Just because you haven’t had fast food or chocolate that week, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the right fuel in your body to be ready for the match.” So what kinds of foods are fueling the Dublin team as they play a game? In truth, it can vary from player-to-player.

SYSTEM

“On the morning of the game I like to have protein pancakes with a bowl of mixed berries and some coconut milk. Everybody needs to find a system that suits them. I have found a system that suits me and I have gotten into the best shape of my life. I know exactly what I am going to eat during the week before a game. I know my nutrition is right. That gives me an extra percentage going into the game.” When the game is over the team will sit down together and have a post match meal. Every food on the menu has a scientific reasoning for being there. “After each game, about 20 minutes after we come off the field, we get some protein into our bodies. Then, within an hour or two, we sit down and have a meal with some carbohydrates – to help with recovery. While the meal

Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

playing late at night, they were taking in a lot of energy drinks before the game, the worst thing they could have done was have a high carb fatty pizza because that gives them more energy and as a result they were finding it hard to sleep. The players weren’t recovering properly. They were coming into training the next day tired. I felt it had to change.” McMahon came up with the idea for his company FitFood - a meal delivery service that caters to healthy eaters - when he was finding it tough to get game time with Dublin. His club Ballymun Kickhams were beaten in the All-Ireland club final on St Patrick’s Day 2013. Dublin had a new manager in Jim Gavin and, as a result of Ballymun’s run to the final, McMahon was missing out on the chance to make a big impression with his new coach. “When I rejoined the Dublin panel I struggled to get back into the team. So I started to look after myself, train harder and improve my diet. Ultimately it was my diet that helped me the most. “But with all of my commitments I was struggling to manage my nutrition. I paid a chef to cook my meals for me. That’s when I got the idea for FitFood. It is a very convenient service to provide healthy food for people who can’t cook because they haven’t got the time or they simply don’t know how to cook healthy. “The food that we make would normally be associated with being ‘bad food’. We make healthy options for a range of different products such as burgers and chips, cakes and muffins, and our own healthy version of popular bars like Snickers and Bounty.” As for the upcoming Championship, McMahon says he is eagerly anticipating Dublin’s first game in Leinster. “I’m not sure what the Championship will bring. It’s definitely going to be exciting. When you are playing with Dublin, it’s always in front of big crowds. You can’t not enjoy that. If we can build on what we achieved in the League you never know what can happen.” McMahon also runs BK Strength and Conditioning (in Ballymun, Tallaght and Drimnagh) - which caters for elite performance athletes along with the general public. For more information about FitFood visit fitfood-ireland.myshopify.com

14 THE BOYS IN BLUE

BAVARIA 0.0% PROUD PARTNERS OF DUBLIN GAA

Non-alcoholic beer: a healthy alternative Have you tried Bavaria 0.0%? It’s served up with a frothy head and tastes just like beer but without the alcohol content

ecent research has shown that 59% of drinkers would feel comfortable ordering non-alcoholic beers when out. Possibly more interesting is that 49 per cent said that they feel nonalcoholic beers are more socially acceptable than they were five years ago.

WHY THE UP-TURN?

According to Pamela Ryder, Head of Marketing for the Rye River Brewing Company, the reason is down to an increased awareness amongst young people of the health risks associated with alcohol. “There is no doubt that people are more aware now of the negative effects consuming alcohol can have on their lives. This is especially so for those who are active in sports or looking to lead a healthier lifestyle.” But wouldn’t a sports drink offer a more appropriate alternative? The answer is a resounding no. Often, cutting back on beer

limits people to consuming sugary, sweet tasting alternatives, which are loaded with calories. In fact Bavaria 0.0% beer is a healthier alternative to most soft drinks and sports drinks. To emphasise this point the company has sought collaboration with dieticians. “Bavaria 0.0% is an isotonic beverage made with pure spring mineral water that forms the base of this refreshing non-alcoholic beverage and it contains 68 per cent less sugars and 41 per cent less calories than the average soft drink or fruit juice,” says Pamela. “Bavaria 0.0% non-alcoholic

beer is 100 per cent alcohol free and contains only three grams of naturally occurring sugar and just 24 calories per 100ml.” While the health benefits offer a compelling argument for trading your bottle of beer or soft drink for Bavaria 0.0%, two questions remains: does it taste good and does it taste anything like beer? Most consumers will admit that Bavaria 0.0% is probably one of the best tasting non-alcoholic beers on the market. Some non-alcoholic beers don’t actually taste like beer because of the process involved in making them. Many are produced by first creating alcohol and then

using a process to remove the alcohol. “For this reason most nonalcoholic beers on the Irish market have up to 0.5 per cent alcohol content remaining after they put their liquid through their evaporation process,” explains Pamela. “Bavaria’s patented process ensures that alcohol never forms resulting in the full flavour and great taste of malt and hops remaining, giving consumers the clean crisp and refreshing taste you expect from a beer whilst guaranteeing it to be 100% nonalcoholic.”

DUBLIN GAA AND BAVARIA 0.0% COME TOGETHER TO FORM A GROUND BREAKING PARTNERSHIP Last month marked the beginning of a three year sponsorship deal between Bavaria 0.0% and Dublin GAA. It is the first and largest nonalcoholic sponsorship agreement ever to be concluded in Ireland. This deal comes at a time when the debate over alcohol in sport is at fever pitch

he move, says Tomás Quinn, Commercial and Marketing Manager, Dublin GAA, was designed to make budding athletes and sports fans aware that there are heathy alternatives to alcohol available. “The health and well-being of our teams and our fans, especially our young and impressionable fans, is extremely important to us. “The opportunity to actively lead change in thinking and in practice has always been a part of Dublin GAA. It was a no-brainer for us to partner with Bavaria 0.0% and we look forward to building a

relationship which promotes not only sports but follows through with the health and education of our teams and our fans.” The deal was negotiated by the Rye River Brewing Company who distribute Bavaria 0.0% in Ireland. Frank Swinkels, CFO for Bavaria commented, “We are delighted to be working with Dublin GAA. “We developed our patented method of brewing Bavaria 0.0% with a more health conscious and active society in mind. We see non-alcoholic beer as no longer being relegated to those who are designated drivers, but as a refreshing choice for those

Pictured are, from left, Dublin footballer Philly McMahon, Pamela Ryder, Head of Marketing for the Rye River Brewing Company, Dublin football manager Jim Gavin, Dublin hurling manager Ger Cunningham, Tomás Quinn, Commercial and Marketing Manager, Dublin GAA, and Dublin hurler Niall Corcoran. Parnell Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE who are looking for the great taste of beer but don’t want the calories or the effects of alcohol.” According to Tomás this partnership has the power to alter the longstanding association between sports and alcohol in Ireland. “We believe we have a real and tangible opportunity to help change habits and open the discussion up on leading a healthier lifestyle and

achieving the goals, in particular in young aspiring athletes.” “With sport being such an important part of young people’s lives, starting in schools but extending to sports clubs like the Dublin GAA, we need to start leading by example and delivering alternatives to the adults and athletes that young sports fans look up to and aspire to emulate,” says Pamela Ryder, Head of

Marketing for the Rye River Brewing Company. “Seeing your parents or athletes you admire reach for a non-alcoholic beverage after a sports event or even while watching a sporting event has meaning. It delivers a strong message by example which we hope challenges young people to make better choices earlier on in their lives.”

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BAVARIA 0.0% PROUD PARTNERS OF DUBLIN GAA

Brewing up a storm Since establishing the Rye River Company in 2013, Niall Phelan, Alan Wolfe and Tom Cronin have been on quite a journey

ittingly, it all started over a pint. One evening, Niall, Alan and Tom were in their local enjoying a pint and a chat. By the end of the evening they had their business plan drawn up on the back of a beer mat. And the Rye River Brewing Company was born. Two years later, the company employs approximately 50 people and exports their own brand of small brew beers, McGargles, to 14 countries. “We are trying to do things a little bit differently,” enthuses Niall. He’s not joking. The Kildare brewing company won the contract to distribute Dutch premium lager Bavaria last September by pure persistence. “My business partner, Alan, can be described as nothing short of stubborn,” laughs Niall. “He rang the Holland-located export manager for Bavaria two or three times a week for about four months until he eventually agreed to meet him. “When he met us, his opening words were ‘I’m only here to stop that guy from calling me’.” Strong words, but the small brewing company secured the deal. According to Niall that partnership has opened up so many doors for the two-year old company.

“The Bavaria contract has been massive for us in the sense that it has enabled our company to develop into a brand that is recognisable both at home and abroad.” Quickly into my conversation with Niall, I realise that he is not a man to rest on his laurels. After securing the Bavaria contract, the three co-founders went after another partnership – this time with the GAA. “A lot of alcohol companies talk about responsible drinking but we wanted to put our money where our mouth is,” says the entrepreneur. “So we approached the GAA about an idea we had for a partnership between them and Bavaria 0.0%. The GAA liked the idea which was brilliant.” But is non-alcoholic beer something Irish people are interested in? Niall says yes. “Bavaria 0.0% is probably one of the best tasting non-alcoholic beers on the market and the consumers are in agreement. We are selling two and a half times more Bavaria 0.0% than we originally intended.”

AWARDING SUCCESS

Having garnered such success quickly it’s no surprise the Rye River Brewing Company are scooping up award after award. While Niall ad-

The Best Little Brewery in Ireland (L-R): Niall Phelan, Tom Cronin and Alan Wolfe founders of Rye River Brewery, Co Kildare mits it’s nice, he’s quick to point out that that’s not what motivates him and his team. “I think the great thing about our company is that the atmosphere is completely different to anywhere else I’ve worked. It’s very relaxed and we try and encourage everyone to be themselves. “Don’t get me wrong, we expect everyone to work hard but to enjoy themselves at the same time. Work is about creating an environment to

live in rather than working just to earn some cash.” Putting their money where their mouth is once again, the three entrepreneurs share 10 per cent of their profits with their team. “We feel that as the business grows everyone should benefit,” enthuses Niall. “That is something we implemented when we set up the business. Back then we shared five per cent with our employees but as our cash

position improved we increased it to 10. Our intent is that as our company continues to grow, we can continue to increase this share. There’s a very strong team of people working in our brewery and that’s something we are very aware of.” So what’s next for the Rye River Brewing Company? Niall says that only time will tell but I feel we will be hearing a lot more about this brewing company in the not too distant future.