DUBS CALLING ON BIG GUNS

DESSIE Farrell has named nine-time All-Ireland winning trio James McCarthy, Stephen Cluxton (inset) and Michael Fitzsimons in the Dublin squad for tomorrow’s Leinster quarter-final encounter with Meath at Croke Park.

The big three are all named on the bench, but there could still be alterations to the startling line-up.

All-Ireland winning skipper McCarthy, who turned 34 last week, hasn’t featured since the first round of the League back in January.

Fitzsimons (35) and Cluxton (42) haven’t seen any action this year as Farrell placed them in cold storage for the entire league.

Evan Comerford is named in goals, with

David O’Hanlon left out. Dublin are without

Brian Fenton after his hearing to contest a one match ban for a red card in the League final defeat by Derry was unsuccessful.

IN a era where people have been processdriven to distraction, the more light-hearted approach of Colm O’Rourke has struck a chord with the Meath players and public.

O’Rourke’s colourful habit of breaking into Latin comes from his time as principal in St. Pat’s Navan, which frames itself as ‘St. Patrick’s Classical School.’

Latin is from another time, with the language taught in very few schools any more.

After the draw with Cavan back in March, which secured Meath’s Division 2 status, O’Rourke joked: “It’s time for Nunc Est Bibendum,” which roughly translates as ‘now is the time for drinking.’

“We’ll taste the delicacies of some north Meath taverns,” he continued.

Which indeed they did, with O’Rourke pictured behind the bar at the Carnaross Inn, near Kells.

Jim Gavin wouldn’t even be pictured with the Sam Maguire, never mind pulling pints at the Boar’s Head.

But there are many ways to manage.

Side

Former Meath captain Seamus Kenny was at school in St. Pat’s Navan in O’Rourke’s time and was part of the Simonstown side which O’Rourke managed to win back to back Meath Championships in 2016/17.

2016 was their first ever senior title.

Kenny recalls a training environment that was “never a chore,”and“one of fun and hard work.”

He laughs: “Colm, being a former principal in a classical school, some of us, we had to endure Latin for a long number of years in St. Pat’s.

“We did try to put it to the back of our minds.

“He’s a well-read scholar, in his own words, but I definitely didn’t hear as much Latin as I’m hearing of late.

“To be honest, I’m not really sure what he’s saying is the correct translation anyway! But there’s not too many people that can correct him.”

After last weekend’s victory over Longford at Pearse Park, the gospel according to Colm centred on some more Latin.

‘Lupus Non Timet Canem Latrantem’ this time. (Which