Sweeney hails Gavin influence

Gary Sweeney has paid tribute to the influence of Dublin U21 boss Jim Gavin after they claimed the county’s second All-Ireland title in that grade in three years with success last Sunday against Roscommon.

The St Sylvester’s club man played a key role at centre-forward during the triumph in O’Connor Park in Tullamore but after winning his second All-Ireland medal under Gavin’s stewardship, he was keen to apportion credit to the Dublin manager.

“Jim has had a massive influence on myself and this group as well.

“You can see how well we gel together. Being an army man he is very regimented and he knows exactly what he wants.

“He gets exactly what he wants out of his players and that’s why he has two All-Ireland’s with us.”

Sweeney admitted that this success is one he will cherish more than their 2010 victory and is hopeful he can follow in the footsteps of team-mates in that squad like Rory O’Carroll and James McCarthy, in graduating to the senior stage.

“Two years is a long time ago.

“I was only out of minor at that stage.

“The group of lads that we have here today I’ve played football with the whole way through so it means an awful lot.

“All we can do is just keep playing away and try to improve and some day hopefully we’ll be on the Hogan Stand lifting the Sam Maguire.

“It’s just an overriding feeling of relief and joy.

“We knew Roscommon were going to put it up to us and didn’t read into anything that the media were saying all week.

“I know a few of the lads from DCU personally on the Roscommon team and my condolences to them.

“They really gave us a great battle so we’re just glad to come away with the win.”