Dublin’s young brigade proved me wrong, admits Macauley

Footballer of the Year contender Michael Darragh Macauley has revealed he initially doubted if Dublin’s rookie recruits were up to it.

The dynamic midfielder has enjoyed his best season yet with Dublin, claiming his second All-Ireland winners’ medal and a National League title. The team’s success is partly down to the incredible impact of young guns like Jack McCaffrey, Ciaran Kilkenny, Paul Mannion and Jonny Cooper.

Those ex-minor and U21 stars proved central to Dublin’s season, with Gavin’s faith in their ability to make a successful transition justified. But the more experienced Macauley, 27, admitted that in the early days, he believed it may be too much, too soon for several of the players.