Gilroy: I would walk

‘If we go backwards I shouldn’t be around’

PAT GILROY insists that he would walk away from managing the Dublin footballers at the first sign of regression under his watch.

There is no imminent fear of that happening, as Dublin currently top the Allianz League table with a maximum ten points and can seal a first Division One final appearance in 12 years by beating Down at Croke Park this Saturday night.

But Gilroy, who has overseen a radical team overhaul during his two-and-a-half year tenure, declared: “My philosophy is if the team is starting to go backwards, then I’ve no business staying involved in it.

“If we’re still taking the team forward, then people should logically want us to stay involved … but if you’re not improving the team then you shouldn’t be around, and I’d be very pragmatic about it.”

In an extensive interview with the Evening Herald, Gilroy cautioned that he won’t believe Dublin are any closer to Sam Maguire until they “have something” tangible to confirm ongoing progress.

And he reiterated that the team needs to reach an All- Ireland final - something not achieved since a Dublin squad that included Gilroy last scaled the September summit in 1995.

On the injury front, midfield duo Eamon Fennell and Ross McConnell are on schedule in their post-surgery rehab.

Defensive quartet Ross O’Carroll, Cian O’Sullivan, James McCarthy and Michael Fitzsimons should all be fit within three weeks, but none will be ready to face Down.