McCaffrey proud as Dubs having rare aul time

YOU know the old proverb, ‘Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it?’

For many decades, hurling people in the GAA have been hoping Ireland’s ancient game would again thrive in our capital city, that Dublin would become a hurling power and, with the inevitable media hype, would help spread its popularity.

Even in the stronger traditional counties, you heard that wish expressed: “Ah, if only Dublin would make the breakthrough.”

Well, we might all well be about to get our wish.

This Sunday, Dublin take on Kilkenny in the Leinster final and do so from a position of strength. Already crowned Allianz Hurling League Division One champions, their first such crown in over 70 years, they have also qualified for the Leinster minor and U21 finals and will probably be favoured in both.

Captain of this Dublin team is John McCaffrey and, as a GDO (Games Development Officer), he knows exactly how Dublin have reached this stage of development.

“It’s been a long time coming!” he laughed.

“There are about 50 GDOs in the county now, all working hard. It’s a 40-hour week and often more. It’s school hours generally then two evenings a week with the club and again on Saturday.

“We’ve all been trained at the start, given the same guidelines, so there’s a very solid structure there. You’re uptrained also, given in-service training and that keeps you upskilled.

“When you’re actually on the ground though it’s whatever works for yourself to get your message across. Every coach will have his or her own individual ideas but the skills are the focus, skills and having fun, enjoying the games.”

Funny he should say that, because in conversation recently with former Kilkenny star Joe Hennessy, who is still heavily involved as a coach himself, the Cats legend remarked how comfortable on the ball all the modern Dublin hurlers have become, at every level.

Not an accident, said John. “The coaching standards have definitely improved over the last five or six years. A lot of resources have been put into it and the county board have to get a lot of credit for that, for backing what’s being done in the clubs. The fruits of those efforts are showing now.”

On a personal level, however, you wonder how it affects the player himself. For most of us, leisure time is spent on activities that have no relationship on what we do for a crust.

How difficult is it for John to maintain his own appetite for the game?

“I’m often asked that and it was a big worry for me when I started in this job. People were saying it would be hurling morning, noon and night, and nothing but hurling, and you’d be worried that it would have a negative effect on your game.

“But hurling is something I’ve always loved, that’s all I ever wanted to do, to be a hurler, a footballer. I’m GAA to the backbone.

“Once you get into it you find you really enjoy it and I’m actually learning all the time. There are many different aspects to being a GDO. Apart from hurling itself, there’s the administration side, putting structures in place, there’s the interaction with so many people. I’m really enjoying it.”

And the reaction he gets from his young charges, as Dublin captain?

“A great reaction. The kids know who you are. You get the autograph requests, which is nice. I’m a coach with my own club as well and it’s great to be able to offer them the benefit of your experience.

“It’s a great time to be a part of the GAA in Dublin. Everyone is getting a great kick from it and even ourselves [on the senior panel] it’s a great boost to see the underage lads going so well, to know there are good players coming up behind us.

“There won’t be a bad Dublin minor hurling team there again for a long time. We mightn’t be winning every year, but we will be competitive.”

Oh yes, Kilkenny, Cork, Tipp et al — be careful what you wish for.