Battle for starting slots intensifies: Michael Darragh Macauley

Fri, 7th August 2015

Dublin footballer Michael Darragh Macauley says the competition for starting slots in Jim Gavin’s team will intensify in training over the next few weeks as they prepare for their All-Ireland SFC semi-final on Sunday, August 30 (against winner of Mayo v Donegal).

“No one should just be happy with getting onto the Dublin squad,” says the Ballyboden St Enda’s man.

“No one should just be happy getting into the 26. Lads shouldn’t be happy until they have that starting jersey.

“And that’s the kind of culture we’ve always tried to breed within the Dublin team.

“And anyone who is happy just getting their gear bag or is happy telling people they made the 26 or telling people they made the 35 at the start of the year, there’s just no space for them on the Dublin team.

“They can take their gear and good luck, to be honest. Because it’s no use to us if lads are too comfortable.”

Michael Darragh has his own personal battle to win back a starting slot for the last-four duel.

“I have a particularly big four weeks ahead of me going into this All-Ireland semi-final. I’m definitely going to do everything possible I can do to get that jersey back. But we’ll see. It should be interesting.”