Paul Mannion: From minor to major

Tue, 18th October 2016

Paul Mannion has turned bitter memory into sweet dreams!

The Dublin senior footballer was part of a highly talented minor team that were beaten by Tipp in the All-Ireland MFC decider of 2011.

That day as the senior footballers celebrated their incredible victory over Kerry with Stephen Cluxton’s last gasp free the young Crokes man vowed to himself that he’d be back centre stage with the seniors some day.

Paul he divided his time between soccer and Gaelic football during his juvenile and teenage years but was convinced to opt for Gaelic football alone by the likes of his then Dublin minor manager Dessie Farrell and at club level by Pat Duggan.

"Pat Duggan for years was trying to turn my head, but I suppose it was the year with the minors that really made me choose Gaelic.

“We lost the final against Tipp that year, the same day that the seniors won.

"And I remember standing on the pitch that day, (thinking) I would love to go on and win a senior.

“It was only a few months later that I was in the under-21 panel with Jim (Gavin)."

The pacey forward missed last year with the Dubs as his UCD studies took him to China.

He made his return against Kerry in the opening game of this year’s NFL Division 1 – tough days says the Kilmacud man.

"January and February were tough months. I remember the first league game of the year. The first half I was absolutely knackered at half-time - I came in and got sick in the sinks at Croke Park. It raised eyebrows a little bit.

"I knew after coming back from the year I had I wasn't in the best of shape. It wasn't really surprising ... it took a long time to get back up to that level.”

Paul will line out for Kilmacud Crokes in this Wednesday night’s Dublin SFC quarter-final against St Jude’s in Parnell Park (8.15).

DUBLIN SFC QUARTER-FINALS

WEDNESDAY

Parnell Park: Castleknock v Skerries Harps, 6.45

Parnell Park: Kilmacud Crokes v St Jude’s, 8.15

THURSDAY

Parnell Park: Ballymun Kickhams v Raheny, 6.45

Parnell Park: Lucan Sarsfields v St Vincent’s, 8.15