'If you think ahead, you get caught': History chasing James McCarthy more concerned with here and now

James McCarthy of Dublin in action against Paudie Clifford of Kerry during the Allianz League clash earlier this season. Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

He turned 31 in March, so time ticks by for James McCarthy — but few players have as much incentive to keep going as the versatile Dublin defender.

Among an elite group of current players with eight All-Ireland medals, McCarthy is the only one to have started all of Dublin’s final victories since 2011 in an outfield position.