Andrews switches on after Blues axe

PADDY ANDREWS sat in his living room and watched the All-ireland final in 2011 on his own. Dropped from the panel by Pat Gilroy, who said that while his talent was unquestioned his work ethic was not at the level required, Andrews (left) later described it as a “light switch moment”. Tomorrow the St Brigid’s marksman could win his fourth All-ireland title with the Dubs. “He took it hard, naturally enough” said former team-mate Barry Cahill. “He got dropped off the panel after the League final defeat to Cork. We won the All-ireland obviously and everything that goes with that. “He was obviously delighted for the players, for his friends and team-mates that he knew very well – myself and Alan Brogan and a couple of other lads in particular. “But it was a tough time for him, definitely, because he was on a crossroads. It hadn’t taken off. He’d played in a number of positions. “An option for any player that gets dropped is that they can go back to their club and apply themselves properly and hope that they get another chance. “Pat brought him back into the squad in 2012, but it was really Jim Gavin’s appointment that gave him a bit of pep in his step because he’d worked with Jim at under-21 level and Jim was fond of him. Also Declan Darcy coming in – Declan would be a bit of a mentor for Paddy. “In 2013, he just decided it was now or never, that he wasn’t going to get another chance if he blew it under Jim. But he has really blossomed.” Andrews has stayed in the Dublin forward line at a time when Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn and Kevin Mcmanamon have sat out. He’s a little younger than that trio but Cahill, a St Brigid’s colleague, points to the 29-yearold’s consistently good club form and his adaptability. “The fact that he can play all six attacking positions does benefit him,” said Cahill. “Nowadays with systems and everyone interchanging, he asks the opposition defenders a lot of questions. “Paddy is still a small bit underrated outside of Dublin. “He’s always looking to give the ball to someone in a better position. That’s paramount when you’re playing under Jim Gavin.”