Vaughan aiming to turn over new leaf

LAST season Mark Vaughan’s name was inextricably linked with controversy, but the Dublin star is determined to make the headlines for all the right reasons this summer.

A forward of undoubted talent, the Kilmacud man’s suspect temperament has held him back from reaching his undoubted potential.

His last two Leinster Club championship campaigns with Crokes have ended with dismissals and he found himself in hot water last summer with a two-fingered gesture to Na Fianna fans.

But the red card against Salthill in the All-Ireland semi-final last January seems to have been his eye opener. “I’ve had enough of these things at this stage so hopefully there won’t be any more in the future,” said Vaughan. “I was gutted (at the time). Going off I knew that, even if we did win, I wouldn’t be able to play in the final.

“You have to look back and learn from your mistakes. Hopefully I can take that on board.”

His new-found maturity will get a big test in Pearse Park on Sunday. His distinctive hair-do and hot- headed reputation make him an obvious target for corner-backs but, if Paul Caffrey has any advice on how to handle that, he is leaving it late.

“He hasn’t really said anything to me. He probably knows by this stage I should have really copped on. I know there are guys who will be going out and doing that but it’s one thing I just got to cope with.”

Last year he earned a starting slot for the Leinster semi-final against Wexford after securing a win over Meath with two monstrous frees as a sub. Taken off against Pat Roe’s team, his role was reduced to occasional sub for the remainder of the campaign and it took him most of this year’s league to shed that unwanted job description.

Six points against Kerry on the final day of the group stages proved enough for Caffrey to start him for this weekend’s game and Vaughan believes he is far better prepared to grasp the chance this time.

“This year will be about trying to get in the team and holding my place. I’ve learned a lot really from last year. There was probably too much anxiety last year. I was trying to get out and get that first point. This year I’ll probably just let it go and let it come naturally.”

Not having to take the team’s free kicks should help him settle in at his own pace. Mossie Quinn remains the dead ball expert this year but having Vaughan lurking about as back-up can’t hurt. “It’s not hassling me too much because Mossie is hitting them over. He pretty much won the Leinster final last year with two late frees and you can’t take them off him. If I had to take it over, I’d always be pretty confident.

“It’s more what you do really from play that win you matches anyway. The frees obviously give you and the team a boost but it’s more about what you do for the team that win you the big games.

“Looking back on last year, we probably should have beaten Tyrone. A freak goal by Owen Mulligan really knocked the wind out of our sails. That was the big turning factor in that game. Five points up and then that happens, so I think after seeing them win it we have to think we must be in with a real chance.”