Dublin star Michael Carton sees the bigger picture

They have endured a disastrous Leinster campaign and, should they lose to Laois on Saturday and bow out of the hurling championship, Dublin’s season may well be labelled one giant tragedy.

Full-back Michael Carton knows, of course, that it is nothing of the sort. In fact, if Laois do send the Dubs tumbling out of the championship and cause the upset of the summer, he’ll be the first to inform you that life goes on.

The same can’t be said for many of the unfortunates that he encounters in his day job as a firefighter in west Dublin, some of whom can’t be saved.

“The job I’m in puts hurling in perspective, absolutely,” said Carton. “Sure, if you’re going from someone dying or needing CPR on them and then you’re trying to compare it to a championship match, there’s obviously no comparison. I just go out and enjoy myself when I’m playing.

“You’re going to come across fatalities in the job I’m in. So I do find it’s a bit of freedom when you go out across the white line and you get to forget about everything else.

“The lads in the station are brilliant for chatting and dealing with the stuff we encounter. You’re never on your own which, in that sense, is a lot like being part of a hurling team.”

Former Dublin footballers Charlie Redmond and Darren Homan balanced jobs as firefighters with top-level, inter-county careers, but it is a demanding trade, in all kinds of ways, and it is hardly surprising that Carton can’t think of another player who is currently in the same position.

The O’Toole’s clubman said he wouldn’t have it any other way, though, and admitted his straight-talking colleagues help to keep him grounded and focused.

There was no beating around the bush, for example, when he arrived back in work after Dublin’s 5-19 to 1-17 Leinster quarter-final drubbing by Galway.

“Yeah, it was just absolute abuse,” he said, smiling. “It was: ‘Did you see this goal go in? We have it recorded, if you want to watch it back?’ You get stick alright, but sure that’s what you expect.

“It’s nice, to be honest. They’ll put it all out there very quickly, so there’s no elephants in the room.

“I’m used to it and if you play well, they are the first ones to congratulate you. You have to take both sides of it. I enjoy it.”

A mixture of experience in his position and good communication among colleagues allows Carton to park any issues from his day job after each shift. Any logistical difficulties are eased too by the accommodating management, both at work and in the Dublin set-up.

“I’ve got used to it now, really. Ger Cunningham is fine and Anthony Daly before him. Once you find that balance, it’s fine,” said Carton.

“Working nights can be tough, but it’s very seldom I’d miss a training session. I’m lucky with the work lads, that they’d cover for me. If I do miss a session, it’s very seldom. I have a good balance and am looked after on both sides.”

Carton is circumspect about Dublin’s early exit from the Leinster championship. He still believes they can win the All-Ireland and is adamant that their summer hasn’t been derailed.

However, he accepted that the nature of the hurling championship is such that one bad performance can have dramatic consequences. He pointed to the 2013 championship, when Dublin, Clare, Limerick and Cork contested the All-Ireland semi-finals.

“All of those four teams are in the qualifiers now. The hurling championship is at a very high standard at the moment. One game, and you’re fighting for your life. Defeats are very hard to take, but I suppose with our one against Galway, to go out like we did and under-perform all over the pitch, that was really disappointing. That’s where the improvement is required.”