O’Sullivan: Dublin will play where we are asked to

AS THE fallout from Congress’ decision to retain the status quo and allow Dublin to have two games in Croke Park in the ‘Super 8s’ series continues, Cian O’Sullivan insists it’s not something the players will get caught up in.

The administrators from the various counties made the call – overwhelmingly – to leave the four-in-a-row champions at HQ but O’Sullivan insists that the panel have no issues playing at any venue.

“From a players’ perspective, I think any one of the players from the Dublin team would say that they’re happy to play wherever they’re told to play them,” he said of the controversy, at an event to launch the AIG Dub Club Health which will look to provide training around CPR, choking and defibrillator/AED usage.

“That’s always been the case. Looking back on some of the games we’ve played in recent times, down in Tralee in the league and last year going up to Omagh... they were great, great games, so we’ve certainly no issues from a playing cohort and a management cohort to play games anywhere.”

The Kilmacud Crokes man wouldn’t be drawn on whether he deems it as an unfair advantage.

“It’s not something I would reflect on. It’s not something I would sit back and consider.

“For me, instinct kicks in whenever that ball is thrown in at midfield at the start of the game. You’re just playing on instinct and you kind of forget where you are and your surroundings.

“There’s very few times in my career I can remember kind of snapping out of that rhythm or mode you get into where you’re just playing the game.

“You kind of forget where you’re playing, it could be Croke Park or Parnell Park, it doesn’t really matter once that ball is thrown in. It’s two teams going at each other with two sets of posts and goals.”