A HERO’S WELCOME
Rising star Eric roared on by Dublin fans who thought he was Diarmuid Connolly but St Peregrines man is no MUG
ERIC LOWNDES could appreciate the humour when handed a gift at a work function a while back.
“I’ve a nice mug at home,” smiled the Dublin defender. “The picture on it goes from my face and turns into his when you pour hot water into it.”
The ‘his’ Lowndes refers to is Diarmuid Connolly, the Blues playmaker who will spend his summer in Boston rather than chasing a sixth All-ireland winners medal.
The mug was a clever touch from a fellow teacher at Scoil Bride in Blanchardstown.
It celebrated the rousing but accidental reception that Lowndes received as he ran onto the Croke Park pitch last August in the All-ireland semi-final win over Tyrone.
A roar went up from Dublin fans at his arrival, who mistakenly thought Connolly was making his return after a lengthy suspension. The St Vincents man’s moment came soon after.
“There’s a bit of a resemblance there,” said Lowndes, laughing as he recalled the noise that greeted his introduction.
“I actually wasn’t really aware. I ran on and I thought there was a fight broken out behind me or something. I didn’t know what was going on.
“I was just in the moment and there was only a couple of minutes left in an All-ireland semi-final. I was just thinking about doing my job at that stage.
“It’s kind of cliched to say I blocked it out, but I genuinely didn’t pay much attention to it.” No doubt Lowndes would rather be remembered for his own exploits on the pitch.
After starting the opening couple of games of Dublin’s four-in-a-row bid this summer, he hopes to retain his place in Sunday’s Leinster SFC final against Laois.
Easier said than done. Cian O’sullivan and Jack Mccaffrey came off the bench on their returns from lengthy lay-offs the last day against Longford, while John Small and Davy Byrne are also available again.
“As everyone knows we’ve a lot of guys who want to play,” acknowledged Lowndes. “When you get in, it’s about doing your best to keep the jersey.
“It’s great to have a lot of experience coming back in as well, guys who’ve been there.
“It’s not that you’ve arrived once you have it. It’s about holding on to it as well, really driving standards to the next level.
“Always staying one step ahead is the
main thing.”
Lowndes (inset) was introduced onto the senior panel in 2013, straight out of minor football, but had to wait two years to make his Championship debut – as a sub for Jonny Cooper in the demolition of Longford.
Motivation has never been an issue, despite spending time on the fringes.
“You know that once you’re performing you’re going to get in, so it’s up to you to keep learning, growing, improving and hopefully you’ll get there then,” said the 24-year-old.
“I’ve grown up a lot for a start. I was a skinny 18-year-old in 2013! I’ve learned a lot about how to be ready and to perform.”
He could so easily have played for Meath – as his brother, Stuart, has done.
Lowndes’ parents both hail from the Royal county and the family grew up close to the Dublin-meath border. He attended school in Dunboyne, and so played Meath school and colleges football.
But he was never on the Royals’ radar, as representing Dublin was his ambition.
“I actually played against Meath in a minor football final when still in school, and three guys playing for Meath were in my class,” Lowndes grinned. “It’s always been quite a close relationship.
“Meath were really successful when I was young. I was kind of raised on stories of Meath heroes from the past. Uncles and cousins and the whole lot would’ve been mad into it.
“They don’t support the Dubs, anyway!”