Gary says league just stepping stone

THERE was a time when Gary Maguire had to sustain himself on back-slaps and handshakes.

Martin Comerford was his primary donator. Few got the better of the Dublin goalkeeper more than the O’Loughlin Gaels man, his two goals in the 2009 Leinster final springing to mind. If it wasn’t with the county, he was doing it with the club.

But then Comerford was denied almost as much by Maguire’s shot-stopping skills. When the Kilkenny man extended the hand after the final whistle, it was more often than not a consolatory gesture but also coloured with a commending tone for Maguire’s display.