RIDGE RAISER
Former Dub medal winner open to Leitrim call
CHRIS GUCKIAN jumped onto Jim Gavin’s Dublin juggernaut but got off two years later, a League winner’s medal in his pocket.
But that might not be the end of his inter-county story.
The experienced defender is not ruling out a return next year with Leitrim, the county of his father, Sean, and of his uncle Paddy and cousin Jimmy.
For the St Jude’s captain, as he prepares for
Monday’s Dublin SF club final against Kilmacud
Crokes, his brief time with the Dubs has left him with mixed feelings.
Guckian said: “I really enjoyed my time. I just...is it a source of regret? Yeah. I still feel, looking at the lads, that I’d love to be there.
“It’s some set-up. It was great to be involved. I just probably didn’t make the breakthrough I would have loved to make.
“I didn’t probably get game time that I would have liked. But the competition was huge.
The half-back line was probably the most competitive and that’s where I see myself, but no big regrets. I tried my best.”
Leitrim have come calling before. Former Leitrim manager Benny Guckian (no relation) had got in contact and they met up, but it was at a time when the experienced defender was hoping to get back into the Dublin fold. “Different Leitrim managers have rang me at different points over the years. They obviously have a list and they go through it.
“I thought Dublin might still be on the radar but more importantly I wanted to focus on the club.
“Jude’s were close. I know I’m kind of our captain and me missing training would have taken away maybe three or four per cent that our club needed.
“We are close. Hopefully it was the right decision – it feels like the right decision at this moment.
“At the same time, I know my uncles and that would be very proud. And my Dad. It’s something I will maybe look at in the new year. I know it would be a proud day for the family so I’d never write it off.”
First things first, Jude’s are in their first Dublin final in nine years, when they lost narrowly to Ballyboden.
The Templeogue club have surprised recent Allireland club champs Ballymun and St Vincents to get here.
“To reach this final, finally, is breaking through the glass ceiling for us,” said
Guckian.
“It was great to just get over the line and get that monkey off our backs after losing out in semi-finals.
There’s a bigger challenge now ahead.”