Macauley critical of Caffrey regime

Michael Darragh Macauley has criticised former boss Paul Caffrey for being too slow to change his Dublin side.

The Ballyboden man admits that despite being a key member of their All-Ireland winning side in 2011, and winning an All Star, he’s guaranteed of absolutely nothing under new boss Jim Gavin.

What’s more, he’s fine about that and claims it’s the only way to breed true competition in the panel.

He says it was a similar situation under former boss Pat Gilroy but lamented that “before Gilroy”, the team appeared to pick itself.

Caffrey was Gilroy’s predecessor and was in the position for four seasons.

“Everything is out the window now — being on the starting 15 in the All-Ireland or having All Stars, all that stuff is out the window,” said Macauley. “That was a problem under previous managements — before Gilroy.

“The starting 15 was picked in January for June and lads knew they were going to get their place.

“It wasn’t like that under Pat and it definitely won’t be like that under Jim. Whoever is playing the best will get the jersey. That’s the way it will be and I think that’s the only way it can be.

“He’s very straightforward. There is no messing about with him. You either do it or you don’t. It’s as simple as that. He’s very fair. There are a lot of lads who were playing well at club level over the years who argued that they deserved the chance and I think the vast majority of them have got a shot now under Pat or Jim. There are no excuses.”

Macauley is fit again after a dead leg injury picked up against Carlow and may slot back into the starting team for Saturday night’s O’Byrne Cup final against Kildare.

There’s the possibility of an all-Ballyboden St Enda’s midfield with Declan O’Mahony getting plenty of game time from Gavin after his recall following several years in the wilderness.

“I have been asked countless times why Declan wasn’t on the Dublin team, to which I couldn’t answer,” said Macauley.

“He was on the team before when he was a bit too young and he didn’t get a grasp of it. But he’s back now and he’s flying it and I expect him to feature strongly this year.”

Gavin has looked at over 30 players so far in January. And with around 15 more to come back into the equation following injury as well as club and college commitments, there is everything to play for.

Macauley can see the hunger again on an individual level in the panel after the failed attempt in 2012 to rediscover the X factor of their All-Ireland winning year.

“Everyone told us (to forget 2011) and Pat did try everything to cut it all out but it is tough,” said Macauley.

“It’s a different year after winning Sam, especially since we hadn’t won in so long. But it’s all behind us now. If lads don’t have the hunger back this year then they’ve no right to be on the panel. We just have to keep that hunger all year.”