How do you walk away from the most successful Dublin team in over twenty years?
Darragh Nelson made the tough choice and while Jim Gavin’s squad may have missed out on his blossoming as a footballer, his club Ballyboden St Enda’s certainly haven’t.
The club captain has been inspirational this season as the biggest GAA outfit in the country sealed a county title and followed it up with a maiden provincial winter success.
Nelson has All-Ireland medals from 2011 and 2013 at home but a club title in his eyes, at least, would mean so much more than September success as a spectator.
“It meant a lot being part of a squad that won in 2011, after a 16-year gap that was amazing. But there is that sense as well – ‘imagine if I come on as a sub, or did play’. I think there are different feelings with the ones who didn’t feature, a jealousy or whatever.
“In 2013 I was in the Hogan Stand. In 2011, I was actually on the bench.”
Ballyboden’s journey to Croke Park this Thursday for an All-Ireland club final could easily have been halted more than once in the Dublin championship. Even their last gasp win over Portlaoise in the Leinster final and dramatic finish to the All-Ireland semi-final against Clonmel Commercials had the club’s supporters seconds from cardiac arrest.
Nelson feels Ballyboden’s biggest strength is not in the much talked about county experience across the team, but their ability to face up to any challenge, and not back down.
“For me, the semi-final against Clontarf was a huge game for us, personally. We went a man down with a few minutes to go. That’s when you learn so much, and taught us not to throw in the towel, no matter what, especially against Clonmel. Teams can easily do that. Say it’s not their day.”
The narrow win over the Munster champions was not just a pathway to an All-Ireland final date this week. Nelson thanks the Tipperary side for exposing weaknesses in the Ballyboden set-up that were not always apparent in their games up to last month.
“It’s hard to pinpoint why it didn’t happen for most of the game. I thought we prepared very well, even after the long break. Maybe that just dragged out a bit. But it gave us loads to work on, our shooting, and taking chances. It’s great winning a semi-final like that and being able to improve.
They face a Castlebar Mitchels side who will be hoping to achieve what they failed to do in 2014, and beat a Dublin side in the All-Ireland club final.
The centre-back admits their experience of the big occasion is a huge advantage and the fact they beat Crossmaglen on the way makes them strong favourites.
Inter-county players know all about sacrifice, with Nelson, who spent several years putting his life on hold for the Dublin footballers, no exception. The rewards were great but for the 25-year-old, the ultimate thrill will be an All-Ireland club title this Thursday. There are no regrets about walking away as he returns to Croke Park as a player for the first time since 2013.
“I just found I was training and training, not playing matches, then hearing about the club games, on WhatsApp, and enjoying the times. I missed that competitive outing.
“I felt that at the time that I wasn’t really enjoying my football. So to come back to the club, fully concentrate on that, is a lot easier to do. So, yeah, personally I can say it’s the right choice now.”
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