IT’S NOTCROKESO WE WON’T FIX IT!
Dubs ace Philly bats away Mcguinness ‘legacy’ jibe
PHILLY MCMAHON has hit back at Jim Mcguinness – insisting Dublin’s legacy is intact as they chase a fourth All-ireland title in a row. Speaking earlier this week, exdonegal manager Mcguinness (below) urged the Dubs and GAA chiefs to “do the right thing” with the Super Eights schedule. He wants Dublin, who are due to play two of their three games in the last eight stage at Croke Park, to move one of those fixtures to a more neutral venue.
“It helps their own legacy”, claimed Mcguinness, still the only manager to mastermind a championship victory against the Jim Gavin-era Dubs – the 2014 All-ireland semi-final. In reply, fivetime All-ireland winner Mcmahon insists the Dublin players are happy to play home games at Parnell Park or Croke Park. But the 30-year-old refers to the size of his PHILLY MCMAHON believes Evan Comerford proved his worth as Stephen Cluxton’s replacement last Sunday. With the injured Cluxton missing a championship game for the first time since 2004, the spotlight was on county’s support as the reason why playing at Headquarters makes more sense.
“It’s not as if we’re getting something that nobody else can get,” argued the defender. “If other counties want to rent Croke Park they can rent it.
“Just for us with the fans that we have, it probably makes more sense to put it in
Croke Park.
“It’s very important that we have a good fan base.
We already have an issue there are so many fans that go to all the games that miss the All-ireland finals.
“So for us to play games in Croke Park, it’s a no-brainer. Why would you play in a smaller venue, and not facilitate your fans?”
And the appeal to the Dubs in terms of legacy doesn’t wash with the Ballymun Kickhams man.
Mcmahon points to the platform he and others on the Dublin team have been afforded to make a difference in their communities - a platform earned through their success on the pitch.
He stated: “I’m certainly not looking at what my legacy is just yet in terms of what we’ve done with Dublin, I’m still present in terms of what we’re trying to achieve.
“But what we’ve done so far is not to Comerford on his full Leinster debut to step up.
Mcmahon plays in front of the 20-year-old (left) with Ballymun Kickhams and noticed a difference in him at Croke Park in the provincial decider.
“I’ve seen a much better maturity from him because you have to be vocal as a keeper, looked (down) at. We’ve achieved a lot and I think our legacy is in a good place.
“So saying that our legacy is tarnished because we play games in Croke Park, maybe you need to look outside the box in terms of that sort of stuff.”
Mcmahon won a ninth Leinster title in the 18-point victory over Laois last Sunday.
He’s alert criticism
Dublin receive on the back of the success they’ve achieved.
He said: “If a person is constantly (criticising) then you’ve got to say, ‘Well hold on, what’s your agenda?’.
“But this is the way the world works – this is the way that sport works.
“Certainly Dublin is in the media a lot. Even when the topic is not about them, it’s still about Dublin football.
“I certainly wouldn’t let it get to me. People’s opinions are theirs.
So whoever has an opinion around that, there’s nothing we can do. We’re here to play football.” you have to be in control,” said Mcmahon.
“He probably didn’t express himself enough.
“In terms of Croke Park you wouldn’t be able to scream your head off as much so I don’t really do that - it was just great to hear him behind me step up.
Cluxton (right) is expected to to the return for the Super Eights opener against Donegal but Mcmahon has no fears if Comerford retains his place.
He said: “It was great to see him gel in really easily due to the hard work he’s done.
“He didn’t concede a goal, did really well on his kick-outs, he was very vocal.”
All-stars Year Born