EXCEPTIONAL’

DUBLIN defender Andrew Mcgowan is preparing for an ‘exceptional challenge’ from Kerry on Sunday week – and hoping to play some part.

The Kilmacud Crokes man hasn’t featured for the Sky Blues in three years but was recently recalled to the squad.

Mcgowan made the matchday 26 for the Leinster final against Kildare and was on the bench again for last Saturday’s All-ireland quarter-final win over Cork.

The two-time All-ireland medallist, who started the Super 8s game against Tyrone in 2019, impressed boss Dessie Farrell during Crokes’ march to February’s All-ireland club final.

Speaking at the launch of the All-ireland 7s series, where Beacon Hospital was announced as the title sponsor, Mcgowan said he can’t wait for the July 10 showdown with Kerry.

He said: “Every game poses its own challenges and this one is obviously going to be an exceptional challenge against Kerry. It was a wet day last Sunday and even so, Kerry showed how good they were against Mayo.”

Mcgowan could yet find himself playing a key role in proceedings if Farrell takes a punt on him.

The Dubs boss has already made Lee

Gannon a regular in defence this season and handed hurling captain Eoghan O’donnell his Championship debut against Cork – so Mcgowan knows that opportunity is knocking.

The 2017 All-ireland U-21 winner said: “I played under Dessie before so he knows me and my brother Ross quite well. I feel like he is very good at what he does, he knows and sees if players are playing well.

“We obviously had a very good run with

Crokes so I think it was inevitable that he would be looking at some of the Crokes players, with the year that they have had.”

The next step is pushing his way into the line-up though Mcgowan says it’ll cost him if he’s too selfish in training.

He said: “When you are a team player it really does get noticed. When you are selfish, that’ll be picked up on.”