Small laments Monaghan loss and turns attention to decider
EVEN though there was nothing at stake other than pride in Croke Park last Sunday, John Small says that it still hurt Dublin to lose to Monaghan, especially in the manner in which they did with Fintan Kelly’s dramatic last-minute point. Since Jim Gavin took over this Dublin side, he has emphasised the importance of winning every game — illustrated by the fact they have only lost three games after St Patrick’s Day in the manager’s six seasons in charge. ‘We go out every day to try to do our best and represent the group as best we can and try to perform,’ the defender explained. ‘We probably didn’t perform to how we wanted to. Our passing was a bit off, and that will give us something to work on, ahead of the final next weekend.’ The Ballymun Kickhams man is now a firmly established part of Gavin’s plans, having played in every League game over this spring. ‘I am delighted to get the opportunity to play all the League games. It’s a great privilege to represent the group but like everything, there is room for improvement.’ With Cian O’Sullivan out for the next few months after suffering a nasty shoulder injury in the hammering of Kerry three weeks ago, Small is the most likely candidate to deputise in O’Sullivan’s sweeping role. ‘It is disappointing to be hit by injuries but if someone is injured, it’s just the job of the next person to come in and do their best and represent the group as best they can,’ Small insisted. Given Dublin have been all-conquering in recent years, Small and his teammates are in an unusual position this weekend in that they are looking to regain a trophy, having lost the National League title to Kerry last April. ‘It was a big disappointment losing to Kerry,’ he aded. ‘We go out every day and try our best and on that day, Kerry beat us by a point. That’s the way it goes.’ And while Sunday’s opponents might be considered surprise packages, Small doesn’t think it is a shock that this young Galway side have made it to the final. ‘Not at all, they have a lot of very good players. We played them two weeks ago and we got what we expected, a very good side with excellent forwards, the likes of Shane Walsh, Damien Comer and Eamonn Brannigan. They have a very good defence too, have only conceded one goal so far. It is going to be a tough battle on Sunday. I’m looking forward to it.’