Crokes content in Mick's safe hands

Former goalkeeper is proving a success in dugout

MICK Jones was a colleges star at St Benildus. He was the heart beat of the school team on so many days.

He was a champion tennis player at Glenalbyn. The goalkeeping gloves also proved a tidy fit.

And he was as successful as keeping the ball out of the net as he was in hitting a tennis ball over it.

He saw many good days at Kilmacud Crokes. He was on the ticket when they won the All-Ireland title in 1995.

For many years, Mick has been managing underage teams at Kilmacud Crokes. And with notable success.

BRILLIANT

"He has been a brilliant mentor at the club," states the former Football Chairman, Pauric McMenamin.

"He has a good way about him, and he has brought so many of our top names through."

Now, Mick finds himself in the senior dugout beside Mark Davoren and Liam Dunne.

Mark's top-class displays with Dublin were the talk of the county. A refined forward. Injury was a cruel caller.

Liam's commitment to Crokes is well respected. He has worked closely over the years with another of the club's legendary figures, Dr Pat Duggan.

"As a management team, we gel well together, and things have been going well. This is my first senior gig, and I'm enjoying it," states Mick.

And he's making a fair fist of it too. Last season saw the side struggle.

But now this term, they are unbeaten and top of the AFL Division 3, and safely tucked away in the quarter-final of the Championship.

"2014 was a difficult year, but the lads have knuckled down and turned it around.

"They are showing great commitment. And they are doing well. Division 3 is a high standard of football. There's good stuff there. There's top players performing there." Tomorrow night, Kilmacud face a testing assignment when they travel to Ballyboughal, who are also having a cracking campaign.

"I have great memories of my own time playing for Crokes. And I really appreciate this opportunity now. They club have been very good to me over the years."

And Mick has been very good to them.

Football supremo, Seán Fox, has appointed a diamond.

And the safest hands in Stillorgan.