Diary of a Dub
History was ours in the making…..
A Vintage year. That is how we
shall ultimately look upon these days.….
A Harvest gathered, a golden
crop.
I could easily fill this blog with Superlatives, but I believe in getting to the point. Define Superlative? It is, quite simply put, of the highest quality or degree. Of this team’s achievements, there is no description more apt than this.
Here’s a few things I believe we have learned to
that which we were clueless of a year ago.
History
was in the making. This team went 3-in-a-row.
Not done in over 30 years by any team and not done by any Dublin in almost 100
years. Greatness (it is said) is not granted in the present, but this rule is
under serious challenge by Jim and his band of merry record breakers. Dublin
also equaled Kerry’s feat of the 00’s and the 80’s by winning 5 all Ireland titles
in a single decade and have cemented their position as team of the decade. They
surpassed Heffo’s army as the greatest ever Dublin team. Without argument. This
was Dublins 4th time to go three in a row, a Four-in-a-row has never been done by a Dublin team. More of that to
come anon.
One
point. Another title, another cliff hanger. Another jaw-dropping,
eyes closed, whirlwind roller-coaster ride of your life finish to win an All-Ireland.
4 of our 5 all Ireland titles have now been won by only one point. 3 of those 4
against Mayo. Winners never give up, never tire, and never fear. Winners
believe, they persist, and they endure. Winners dig deep, winners find answers
when the questions are asked. Fans endure, Fans believe, real ones. Being a Dub
is slowly but surely becoming a survival of the fittest. Its own GAA endurance
test. Truth is, I’m not sure we’d have it any other way. The Adrenalin rush,
the ecstasy, the euphoria, washed down by a couple of beers afterwards (couple being the operative word)! If One point is the order
of the day, then I would take one point all day long, and I think you would
too!
Champagne
Supernova. Not for everyone this one, but means something
to a few (you know who you are).The year it became an anthem of sorts, again.
It’s year of original release?…..1995. There is something in that I think… It
has even found new admirers, 22 years later, however, it has always been a song
to inspire for me, and this year it became our 3-in-a-row anthem. 7 minutes and
11 seconds of absolute Dublin bliss. Be it Grand Central, or the Dalkey Duck,
it has had its fair share of renditions this year, and more to come in the
years ahead.
Humility.
We learned more about this year in the last
year than in any year previously. Nothing has changed since September to show
me a different view. At the core of this team, players and backroom staff is
its own humility. No gloating, no show-boating. No Ego, and no I in this team.
Together. For its county, its family and its fans. Even in the face of a media
frenzy whipping up Anti-Dublin hype, this team and its leader kept their heads.
Even when it got personal on Jim, they kept their heads. Maintained their
dignity. We learned the best way to put out a fire is to take the oxygen out of
the room. This team did that. Fans don’t have to take that shite and it was
right and proper for real Dublin fans to take exception to what was being said.
As Jim leapt to the defence of Diarmuid Connolly earlier in the year, we leapt
to his defence when his integrity was questioned. How it should be. And since
September, this team have been in schools and hospitals and back in their Clubs
and communities. They were side by side with the All-Ireland winning ladies. Most
of all, and this goes to the core of Jim and this team, for what they did for
Anto Finnegan who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron disease five years ago. Great
teams live and die by their integrity and their humility. I guess we understand
that much better now.
Kimmage.
Once a great journalist. Now a great arsehole. Our very own Punch and Judy one-man
band. It’s a pity he is one of our own, but just goes to prove that whilst most
of us Dubs are real, genuine, salt-of-the-earth, sound as a pound, decent
Dubliners, there is always an exception to every rule, and Kimmage is that
exception. He doesn’t deserve any more words, but he did deserve those ones.
The Next
Generation. It’s coming. Some argue it is here. King Con.
Majestic. Unbelievable. Incredible. We didn’t know that Diarmuid would lose his
place to Con. And we didn’t know Con would have the year he has had, for both
Club and County. Fenton and Kilkenny are only 23 remember. Plenty of years ahead
to look forward to. In Con, you have inspiration to every kid in every club in
Dublin. Who wouldn’t want to be him? In building great teams, you plan for these
transitions, plan for your replacements. In the Dublin master-plan, it’s
working, and talent keeps coming. Mannion, Costello, McCaffrey, Small, Byrne
are just a few more worthy of a mention. The future is bright in our fair
county. And of Diarmuid. Once a legend, always a legend (and I think I am now
qualified to say lol). Without his cool head (yes I said cool head) in injury
time in the final, the outcome may have been different. Owes us nothing, has
given us everything, and remains for me, the most gifted player ever to play
for Dublin.
Mayo.
It had to be them. Again. Only what is different now, is that I feel a sense of
sympathy of their supporters. I don’t like to see any real fan cry, and I wish for
no bad on anyone, and I guess my view of Mayo has changed. I don’t like how
they play the game, but I respect that this is one of the greatest Mayo teams and
perhaps the most unfortunate to co-exist with the greatest Dublin team ever. But
that’s how this cookie crumbles and it is not their time. Yet. Adversity is a
breeder of determination and build enough determination in any team and eventually
that determination becomes a steel for them. That team is not done yet, not by
any means, and no team has pushed us closer. And for 2018, as Ant & Dec
would say, it could be them. Again.
Time.
We learned that Dublin GAA man has 19 days in his calendar and that everything
else is Bill Murray punching the homeless man in Groundhog day. We hope 2018
has 19 days in store again for us. We also learned that his hierarchy of needs
is built around tickets. I fear this will be a constant again next year.
Dublin fans.
As I have always said. A special bunch of people. A unique breed of human being.
Supporters like no other. In 2017, ours was the moment, our own piece of
History, of which we may never see again. We witnessed it. We lived it. We can
tell others. We were there. We are Dubs. For first timers or for lifers, these
people are incredible bunch. Every game, before and after delivers an
atmosphere that is second to none. A true constant in this city of mine is it
people, their character, their spirit and their wit. I have always been proud
to be a Dub, but, as is impossible as it may be, I think that pride grew a
little more in the last 12 months.
A lot we didn’t know 12
months ago. A lot more we don’t know about 2018.
I don’t know what the
future holds for this team. All I can tell you is this. If it’s me reading the
signs, I like what I see. Why?
This is a settled,
experienced team, with a 3-in-a-row behind them. No major retirements. Resting
or more likely on their personal training plans. Back to back and 3 in a row
hype gone. 4 in row hype will build but they dealt with it in 2016 and 2017
without issue. Hunger is not a question. Proven. Ethos? The Ethos of this team
is the team itself. Not one, not I. We and Us. Just like the great teams of all
sporting codes, at their code is a beliefs ecosystem that is their drive. Their
persona is team. Its leader, Jim, is the orchestrator. The man who makes the
magic happen. Great leaders build great teams and in him, Dublin football has
its greatest leader. Determined, focused and selfless in the desire for the team
to be successful. In Jim we trust. A Master-plan. Great leaders have
master-plans. We only get to witness its delivery, and we are witnessing it.
2018 offers us the
potential of a 4-in a row. It has been done before. Twice. But only by Kerry
and more recently from 1978-1981 (who will ever forget the 1982 final!). And so
therefore history making is offered again as an opportunity in 2018. Only, it’s
just another year. Another 19 days so to speak, forget about what we have done,
it’s in the history bank and focus only on what is in front of you. One game at
a time. I believe the signs are there, the potential for success is evident. The
road ahead is treacherous. But I believe. Do you?
And to finish, and
square the circle on this champagne supernova of a year, I leave you upon this
quote.
Great leaders can see the greatness in others when they can’t
see it themselves and lead them to their highest potential they don’t even
know.
For Jim. Thank
you.
History was yours in
the making….
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