Hubbard’s big ambition not hampered by size

In-form Alan Hubbard says his size shouldn’t count against him playing for Dublin again.

The Ballymun Kickhams defender has been in sensational form for the club in reaching Sunday’s All-Ireland club SFC final against St Brigid’s.

Manager Paul Curran insists the 25-year-old has to be called back into the panel he was dropped from prior to Dublin’s successful 2011 All-Ireland campaign.

However, he was not among the players from the club who were called into Jim Gavin’s training panel in December.

At 5ft 8in, Hubbard is not the tallest footballer around but dismisses the idea you have to be over six foot to succeed in inter-county football.

“If you look at the last few years, Karl Lacey was probably Donegal’s best player over the last year or two, footballer of the year, and he’s not much taller than myself. If you’re good enough, you’re tall enough.”

Hubbard has so far heard nothing from Gavin but hasn’t expected any communication as long as his focus is on Ballymun.

“I don’t think Jim was going to make any contact with anyone from Ballymun. I think they met with him at the start, December, and I don’t think they were due to go back until the series was finished. But my focus is on Paddy’s Day. I just want to get out there, play well and try and drive this team over the line.”

Hubbard is part of a Ballymun defence that hasn’t conceded a goal since their Dublin SFC semi-final. It’s a proud record but one he knows is seriously under threat against former finalists St Brigid’s.

“I don’t know how many (games) it is now, but we have our system in place and that hasn’t changed and we’re just going to try and work on what we can do. That’s the only thing in our mind, what we can bring on the day.”