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The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Niall Scully gives definitive answer to whether he considered joining Dublin panel exodus over winter
NIALL SCULLY gave no consideration to joining the winter exodus from the Dublin panel. When the Sky Blues Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Paul Mannion, Mick Fitzsimons and Jack McCaffrey — who all started the one-point loss to Pádraic Joyce's men in the 2024 quarter-final — have stepped away. But Scully, who recently turned 31, said: 'I could understand why anyone would but I had a couple of years on the panel where I wasn't making it. 'It wouldn't have felt right for me. 'I worked incredibly hard to get to where I am. I wouldn't be able to give it up this season.' Read More On GAA Scully played alongside Fenton, Mannion and McCaffrey on the Dublin team that won the All-Ireland Under-21 title back in 2014. But he had to bide his time before establishing himself at senior level, with the Templeogue Synge Street man eventually making his Championship debut against Carlow in 2017. He added: 'The biggest factor was when I sat down to think about it, you work so hard to get yourself into that position and it just wouldn't have felt comfortable to just walk away.' The number of key players who exited the set-up in one fell swoop left a gaping hole in the Dublin team. Most read in GAA Football And that was exposed by Meath in last month's stunning semi-final win that ruined the Dubs' hopes of a 15th Leinster title on the bounce. The setback has also forced Dessie Farrell's side to survive a daunting group that also includes Derry and Armagh if they are to remain Sam Maguire contenders. Gardai investigating as GAA fans engage in brawl in shop Yet Scully did not feel an added sense of duty to return for another season of inter-county football after seeing so many of his former team-mates opting out. The 2020 All-Star wing-forward said: 'Not really, to be honest. 'I haven't been to that stage where I felt like I wanted to walk away and could potentially feel guilty about doing so. 'I didn't have anything like that. 'Again, I'd be hoping to play for three or four seasons, or more, if I can. I'm fortunate enough that I haven't had to think in terms of that.' Scully admits that his role has changed now that he is one of the elder statesmen in the Dublin team. On the side that was stunned by the Royals, the five-time All-Ireland winner was the third-oldest outfield player behind John Small and Ciarán Kilkenny. He said: 'Previously you would have fitted into the squad and gone along with everything. 1 Scully never really considered calling time on his inter-county career 'Now there are lads on the panel who were born in 2002 and 2003 and it's just, 'What?' and in terms of my own, absolutely. 'There's a group of eight or nine of us that are senior and the senior part of the group. 'We like to think that we're in a position to lead by example by sharing the knowledge that we have. 'You're looking for these younger lads to fit into it and set their own tempo and identity on the squad as well.'
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Padraic Joyce and Galway's All-Ireland chances receive huge boost before Dublin game with talisman's return
SHANE WALSH is back in the Galway team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC opener against Dublin. The Kilmacud Crokes forward has yet to feature in this year's Championship due to a back injury. Advertisement 2 While Walsh is back, fellow star attacker Damien Comer remains absent 2 Padraic Joyce's men have still looked formidable without them But his inclusion for the clash with the Dubs in Salthill is the only change to Pádraic Joyce's side from Skipper Seán Kelly reverts to the defence, with Seán Fitzgerald dropping to the bench. Damien Comer remains absent. Stephen Cluxton is set to retain his place in goal for Dublin. The only change to the Blues team Advertisement Read More On GAA GALWAY: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Ó Maoilchiaráin, J Glynn; D McHugh, S Kelly, L Silke; P Conroy, J Maher; C Darcy, S Walsh, C McDaid; M Tierney, R Finnerty, M Thompson. Subs: C Flaherty, D O'Flaherty, C Hernon, K Molloy, S Fitzgerald, J Daly, S O'Neill, C Sweeney, L Ó Conghaile, T Culhane, P Cooke. DUBLIN: S Cluxton; D Byrne, T Clancy, C Tyrrell; C Murphy, J Small, B Howard; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, T Lahiff; N Scully, L O'Dell, C Kilkenny; P Small, C O'Callaghan, C Basquel. Subs: E Comerford, L Breathnach, C Costello, N Doran, A Gavin, D Keogh, S MacMahon, G McEnaney, K McGinnis, B O'Leary, D O'Leary. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Ahead of the match-up Niall Scully has clarified that he gave no consideration to joining the winter exodus from the Dublin panel. When the Sky Blues begin their All-Ireland SFC campaign in Salthill, they will do so without several members of the side who faced the Tribe last summer. Gardai investigating as GAA fans engage in brawl in shop Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Paul Mannion, Mick Fitzsimons and Jack McCaffrey — who all started the one-point loss to Pádraic Joyce's men in the 2024 quarter-final — have stepped away. But Scully, who recently turned 31, said: 'I could understand why anyone would but I had a couple of years on the panel where I wasn't making it. Advertisement 'It wouldn't have felt right for me. I worked incredibly hard to get to where I am. I wouldn't be able to give it up this season.' Scully played alongside Fenton, Mannion and McCaffrey on the Dublin team that won the All-Ireland Under-21 title back in 2014. But he had to bide his time before establishing himself at senior level, with the Templeogue Synge Street man eventually making his Championship debut against Carlow in 2017.
