ANDREWS DEFENDS DUBS BOSS
PADDY ANDREWS has defended All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin over criticism he doesn’t celebrate his team’s victories enough. In leading Dublin to four All-Irelands in five seasons, Gavin has remained detached and clinical on the sideline, even at the final whistle of this year’s final victory over Mayo. ‘I thought it was very silly to be honest,’ said Blues forward Andrews of the observation. ‘I certainly wouldn’t change anything about him, he’s been an amazing coach for me as a player and for the team. ‘He’s got class and composure and that’s it. That’s the way he is on the training pitch down in DCU and it’s not put on for show. There’s no point in getting panicked and sprinting up and down the sideline. Some of the hurling managers probably do that — we’ve got to try and stay in control and play what’s in front of us. ‘Gaelic football as a whole has become very tactical, the game is changing constantly. The challenge we faced with Tyrone and what Mayo bring to the table; you need to observe the game and try and bring some clarity to it. As players it can become very helter-skelter on the pitch and you are relying on your coaches to give you direction.’ Andrews was surprised Dublin’s achievement in securing a first three-in-arow since the great Kerry team between 1984-86 didn’t garner more attention. ‘To win three is beyond your wildest dreams really. We enjoy it ourselves in the background and that’s the way Jim is,’ he added. DUBLIN hurler Eoghan O’Donnell said that there will be ‘no grudges held’ against any former squad member who wasn’t part of Ger Cunningham’s set-up but wants to recommit under new manager Pat Gilroy. ‘It does hurt when lads leave. You do feel a bit let down that they’re not pulling at the same goal as you,’ said O’Donnell. ‘But if lads are saying right now “this is my number one commitment” then I’d be a hundred per cent happy. ‘There would be no grudges held or no tension or bad feelings.’ A major turnover in personnel played a part in Dublin’s relegation from Division 1A in the spring, but Gilroy’s appointment helped the county footballers to a breakthrough All-Ireland in 2011 has raised expectations once again. ‘If Pat can change the issue of consistency, I think we have a real shot of doing something big. If we can win a couple of games in Leinster and put ourselves in a good standing for the later period of the thing, we could be in with a huge chance.