New year, new start for Dublin boss Gavin

At a get-to-know-you meeting with the media early last year, Jim Gavin revealed Washington Redskins’ three-time Superbowl coach Joe Gibbs was one of his biggest influences.

Voted ninth greatest NFL coach of all time by ESPN, Gibbs was highly regarded for his offensive line, parallels which can easily be drawn with the Dublin manager’s attacking philosophy.

Gibbs never did successfully defend any of his three titles. Similar to Gaelic football nowadays, few Superbowl-winning coaches do. But he did manage to bring the Redskins to the Superbowl 12 months after they won in 1982.

He approached every season as a singular entity.

“You always have a burning desire to do well,” Gibbs once said. “It wouldn’t matter if it was the first year, second year, third year.”

Gavin’s appetite for more success revealed itself literally minutes after September’s All-Ireland title was won.

His attentions had already turned to 2014: “I know from speaking to other managers they are already setting themselves up for the 2014 season. You know, we are probably already behind that preparation being done behind the scenes.”

He spoke of the challenges they would meet in the new season.

“No guarantees. Just look at the U21 campaign this year. Kildare look very strong, Longford look strong, Carlow look very strong. It’s great for Leinster. There’s a lot of good work being done, I see it myself.”

Such talk would sound absurd from the all-conquering Dublin to most people’s ears but not to Gavin. Not when his aspirations exceed more than one All-Ireland title.

Getting the team holiday over and done by the start of December similar to Pat Gilroy in 2011 has ensured they will have an uninterrupted January aside from those with college commitments.

A tight rein has also been put on the players in their dealings with the media. As early as the evening of the charity game on Wednesday after the final, they were reminded that all interview requests had to go through the media manager.

Control is a major aspect of Dublin under Gavin, which is hardly surprising given his air corps background. Discipline and respect aren’t expected; they are demanded.

What he can confidently promise his players is the platform to perform as well as the bubble to succeed in maximising their potential.

And they have plenty of that. Dr Dave Hickey, the 1970s star and team doctor who was a selector under Gilroy, knows that.

“This is a team in evolution,” he said days after beating Mayo.

“This is not the finished product, by any means. We still can’t put one-on-ones away with the keeper. We don’t slow down and that’s the thing we need to work on next year.”

Davy Fitzgerald is introducing seven new players to the Clare panel this year but just how many will Gavin introduce, considering the wealth he has at his disposal is far greater?

Excluding new faces, there are several more keen to make the step up from panel to first team member.

Injury stunted Cormac Costello’s chances this year but expect the dual player to make a serious play for a position in the full-forward line.

Emmet Ó Conghaile should also challenge for a midfield spot. The two Davy Byrnes and Eric Lowndes could feature more in Gavin’s thinking. The likes of Michael Concarr, Shane Carthy and Jarlath Curley could also feature in the panel after St Vincent’s campaign in the club championship.

Then there is the possibility Alan Brogan will give it one more go. Having as good a playmaker and finisher as the 2011 footballer of the year would surely appeal to Gavin.

Paddy Andrews will also find himself under pressure to retain his No 14 jersey ahead of an ever-improving Dean Rock and Eoghan O’Gara after overcoming a host of injuries.

Before the final, the manager spoke of a great “esprit de corps” in his panel, particularly in relation to the excellent attitude of those players who don’t get starting spots.

“I would openly say to them, if they’re not enjoying their football, we’re not doing the right thing as coaches or they just haven’t bought into the ethos that we’re trying to create.”

It was a line straight from the Gibbs’ playbook of coaching: “People who enjoy what they are doing invariably do it well.”