Durcan's journey from exciting prospect to leader of the pack

Paddy Durcan on captaincy, attacking football and Galway opener

LEADING THE PACK: Paddy Durcan of Mayo lifts the cup after his side's victory in the Allianz Football League Division 1 Final match between Galway and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

It happened suddenly. Paddy Durcan was the fledging newcomer, an exciting prospect galloping along with other Mayo stalwarts. Now he is the at the top of the pack, striving to lead the way.

Durcan’s Mayo debut came in the 2015 opening round of the Allianz Football League, a comfortable victory over then All-Ireland champions Kerry. He is one of only three players left standing from the starting team in the 2017 All-Ireland final, along with Aidan O’Shea and Cillian O’Connor.

Durcan is the fifth most experienced player in the squad, with O’Shea, Diarmuid O’Connor, Cillian O’Connor and Stephen Coen ahead of him. Kevin McStay made the half-back his captain in 2023 and that will continue for another campaign.

“It is a massive honour,” says Durcan.

“It is not something I take lightly. I suppose it is going into my 10th season now. It has been a long time, but it has flown at the same time. The way I have always seen it, you are in it for a limited period of time.

“When your time is up, it is on to someone else. I’m sure there will be another person coming up behind who will be able to do what I have done and more. I thoroughly enjoy it. It is a massive honour for myself as an individual, my family and my club as well. It is not something I take lightly. I’m extremely proud to have the opportunity.” 

The Castlebar Mitchells man was one of 18 different championship scorers for his county last year, finishing with 0-6. He was a vital go-forward option all year long. In the preliminary quarter-final against Galway, Durcan won the kickout and gave the initial pass to David McBrien for the tie’s only goal.

He went on to kick two points as they eked out a one-point victory. In an ideal world he would be able to do so in every single game, but that space is not always there to capitalise.

“The game has evolved especially over the last couple of years. I think a lot of teams would like if there was an opportunity, especially as a back, to run into space and have yards ahead of you. It is just the way football has gone. There still are opportunities to counterattack. When we are set up in that defensive shape, there are opportunities to attack. (But) on a free kick or something like that, the opposition will have bodies set behind the ball.

“It is multi-faceted. You need to be good in quick transition but ultimately good at slow attack too. There are many components to it.” 

The jungle drums Mayo have been beating out an upbeat rhythm in recent weeks. All the talk from the camp is positive and reinforcing their All-Ireland credentials. Their campaign kicks off against neighbours Galway this Sunday. Durcan is keen to stay on message, they can’t wait for it.

“That is a game we will all be looking forward to, as I’m sure are Mayo supporters. I enjoyed getting back, training as hard as we can to get ready for that. Once that game goes it is week-on-week or every second week and that is what you want as a player. It is exciting times and we are certainly excited about it.”