We came to see some new names in Dublin football, only to hear they'd just lost one of their biggest: Rory O'Carroll – their three-time All-Ireland winner and two-time All Star – will spend the entire year in New Zealand.
His departure also leaves the All-Ireland champions looking to fill the pivotal full-back position which O’Carroll has made his owns since his first All-Ireland triumph in 2011.
Although the player had been toying with the idea for some time, Dublin manager Jim Gavin only confirmed O'Carroll's decision after his team snatched a 0-12 to 2-6 draw against Wexford in the opening round of the O'Byrne Cup at Enniscorthy.
“Yeah, Rory has decided to go away during the 2016 season,” said Gavin.
“He’s moving to New Zealand, he’s fully qualified now, and he’s working, so he’s moving away to work, so he won’t be a part of us for the entire year.
“But we wish him the very best. We’ve always said to players it’s important to get the life balance, between family, their profession, and their sport.
The best
“We will miss him, but we certainly wish him the best, and he goes with the sun on his back. And we look forward to the day when Rory puts on a county jersey again, and his club, Kilmacud Crokes, who will miss him as much as us.”
It’s not the first time O’Carroll has moved abroad: now 26, he spent some time travelling in Thailand, aged 19, and also missed the early part of the 2011 season while he studied in France.
He did return for the championship that summer, although the earliest Gavin expects to see him back is the start of 2017.
In the meantime Gavin didn’tsound unduly worried about who will now wear the number three jersey for Dublin this season.
“Rory a top class guy, a real leader on the field, and we’ve worked with him since the under-21s, going back to 2008. But it’s a great opportunity for Rory to go away and experience a different lifestyle and culture, for a year or two, and it’s a great opportunity for the gap that he’s left, and the different players pushing for that particular position.
“It is a pivotal position, yeah, although maybe more in the past. The game is always evolving, and it’s certainly a position where we feel we have good cover. A player like Rory you would like to have around, but we’ve a big squad, and we’ve always espoused the team ethic.”
There was contrasting news about veteran All-Ireland winning midfielder Denis Bastick, who despite turning 35 next May, has committed again to 2016. Bastick was one of just three of Dublin's All-Ireland winning team to start yesterday's in Wexford game, and Gavin is more than happy to have him back.
“Absolutely delighted,” he said. “It’s really positive for Dublin GAA that a stalwart like Denis Bastick has committed to the county cause once again. He has many years under his belt, has started a family and just changed jobs. It’s a very dynamic time in his life but we’re just delighted to have his experience, not only on the field but off it as well. He’s just got such a big presence, and he’s achieved so much in the game. . .”
Gavin will also welcome back 2013 All-Ireland-winning forward Paul Mannion, who spent 2014 in China.
“He’s registered with the UCD squad, he’s on a scholarship there, and I think it’s only fair to let players who are receiving scholarships with their colleges to let them play with their colleges and experience that. But we hope to see Paul back; he’s already been in with us,” added Gavin.
