Cille’s chase IFC glory

edge and the respect he is held in within the club.

He doesn’t consider it a burden when he is playing, however.

‘At the end of the day Colm calls the shots. Colm asked me last February to get involved with him because I knew the players and I said I’d do it. If we were missing someone on any particular day I might know of someone who could slot into that position.

‘When you’re a selector and a player you have to put your trust in the lads on the line. At half-time I would be asked for my opinion.

‘I would look after myself quite well regarding fitness and I still have the enthusiasm, but if it had any effect on the team I wouldn’t hesitate to take a back seat.’

He freely admitted that the Cille’s were fortunate to overcome Walterstown, but firmly ruled out suggestions that complacency had a part to play.

‘We were lucky to get past Walterstown, but we certainly weren’t under-estimating them. We knew they were a big, physical side and a team coming down from senior is going to be that little bit cuter than most teams. We were very lucky to get out the right side of it.’

Looking ahead the challenge Dunderry are likely to pose, Ian is only too well aware what is at stake and the opportunity for the club to get back to senior ranks.

‘If we manage to win on Sunday and get back to the senior ranks it would be something to have an opportunity of playing senior football. I would love to get a taste of senior football, but the wife doesn’t know about that yet,’ he concluded.