North County pride in U-21s

Diarmuid Geraghty

TWO weeks ago, when the Dublin under-21 footballers claimed their second All-Ireland title in three years, it was an important step in the county board strategic plan ‘Unleashing the Blue Wave', which they revealed last autumn.

One club in particular will remember May 6, 2012 for many years to come. St Maur's of Rush had three players - Ciarán Reddin, Danny Byrne and Luke Fletcher - in the starting 15 that captured the Clarke Cup, a fact of which the north county Dublin club are immensely proud.

“For a small club like us it is an incredible achievement,” said club mentor Mick Moore.

“It’s Ciarán's second medal and Vinny Whelan was in goal in 2010 as well. So that’s five medals for the club and Luke and Danny are underage again next year.

“But they are great lads. When it comes to football they are so focused it’s just football, football, football. They are very driven.”

Indeed, Moore believes that it is not just a positive for the club, but brings further honour to the north county, after Skerries Harps’ Bryan Cullen captained the senior side to their All-Ireland crown last September,

“What’s great about it is for the younger children can look up to these guys.

“Bryan Cullen is from down the road and Harry Dawson and Jack Smith were involved in the under-21 team as well from Skerries and Gerry Seaver is from Ballyboughal as well.

“It’s great to see these lads all coming from this neck of the woods.

“It just shows that if you work hard and train regularly and listen to your mentors you will achieve things.”