Heavy schedule brings added pressure, says Dias

CRAIG DIAS faces a hectic February if he is to help the ambitions of his club, college and county in winning silverware.

The Kilmacud Crokes midfielder, who played an integral role in the Leinster final win over Rhode on Sunday, is in big demand as he is set to line out for the Dublin U21s in their provincial opener against Meath just three days before the club’s All-Ireland semi-final against Crossmaglen on February 23rd.

Combined with UCD’s preparations for a Sigerson Cup quarter-final on March 3 against Sligo IT or NUI Galway, 20-year-old Dias is going to be stretched. In an interview over the weekend, he admitted playing for the teams has taken its toll on him.

“I try to keep everyone happy but it just can’t be done. There is a lot of hostility between the teams and that brings pressure.”

Crokes’ subs Mark Coughlan and Eoin Culligan also face busy schedules in the coming weeks.

Coughlan also lines out for UCD while Culligan will be playing Sigerson football for DCU who face St Mary’s, Belfast on February 17th.

Meanwhile, Crokes’ Leinster club final man of the match Brian Kavanagh has warned the club will be punished by Crossmaglen if they are as slow out of the blocks in next month’s All-Ireland semi-final as they were against Rhode.

Crokes conceded a seventh minute goal to Pascal Kelleghan and were four points down at one stage before dominating proceedings.

“We’ll need a better start against Crossmaglen,” said Kavanagh. “They are the best team of the last 15 years in the club championship.

“Everyone else is trying to get up to their standard. It’ll be a huge task but we have a few weeks to worry about Crossmaglen.”

Like Rhode, Crossmaglen will have scores to settle after losing the 2009 All-Ireland final to Crokes.

And Kavanagh doesn’t need to check the clubs’ roll of honour to know the challenge ahead.

“I suppose it’s the longevity of their run. Their first was in ‘97 and their last was in the mid 2000s. They have a conveyor belt of talent coming through, like young Jamie Clarke as well. They must have a great system up there to keep producing the quality footballers they have.”

Kavanagh acknowledged Kilmacud Crokes’ extended run will have repercussions for his commitment to Longford, who will be looking for him to help them out of Division Four.

“Well, it won’t be ideal,” he conceded. “It’s not ideal I suppose training wise. But hopefully the two managers (Glen Ryan and Paddy Carr) will be able to come to an agreement and whatever I’m told to do, I’ll do.”