DubZone - Ciaran Whelan Interview

Tue, 18th August 2015

Exclusive Ciaran Whelan Interview from our last DubZone Newsletter, we have a Newsletter coming next week before Dublin's All Ireland Football Semi Final against Mayo!

Ciaran Whelan’s top 5 games as a Dublin player:

1. Debut. 15th of June 1996, Leinster Final, Dublin v Meath:

The Leinster Final in 1996, it being my debut and first game in Croke Park, a childhood dream was fulfilled that day playing in front of a packed Hill 16. The result (Meath won 10-8 and went on to win the All Ireland that year) didn’t go our way, but it is still a vivid and treasured memory.

Debut in the 1996 Leinster Final v Meath.

2. First Leinster Title. 14th of July 2002, Leinster Final, Dublin v Kildare:

My first Leinster Title in 2002 after 6 hard fought years, Dublin’s first since 1995, it was great to get over the line and even sweeter overcoming Kildare who had beaten us in a replay the year before.

First Leinster Title in 2002.

3. In sickness and in health. 17th of August 2002, Quarter Final Replay: Dublin v Donegal:

The replay against Donegal in 2002, I remember it was a week after the first clash and I had a viral infection. I spent the full week in bed sick up to the Sunday of the replay. It was a game I shouldn’t have been playing, but defying the medical science the day went very well for me and we came out with victory to make an All Ireland Semi Final.

High Fielding against Donegal in the Quarter Final Reply 2002.

4. The epics in Thurles. 4th and 11th of August, 2001 Quarter Final and Quarter Final Replay, Dublin v Kerry:

The games against Kerry in Thurles in 2001. It was some experience playing outside of Croker with a huge traveling support with us, it was a different atmosphere completely. They were incredible games to be involved in despite of the end result. The magic moment where Maurice Fitz(Gerald) levelled the first game at the death with that exquisite side line has to be mentioned.

In action against Kerry in the 2001 Quarter Final Reply in Thurles.

5. The first of five. 17th of July 2005, Leinster Final, Dublin v Laois:

The 2005 Leinster Final against Laois, It was great to regain the Title after 2 poor years in 2003 and 2004, we were back to where we wanted to be. The match was tit for tat and Tomas Quinn stepped up and put over the last ditch winning free. It was a full house and back in the days of pitch invasions in Croke Park, I remember looking out over a sea of blue from the Hogan Stand (the image below shows this very moment)!

Lifting the first of five Delaney Cups in a row in 2005.