By his own admission, Kevin McManamon would love to start more games for the recently-crowned All-Ireland champions.
But the Dublin forward has had such an incredible impact off the bench over the last number of years that it’s understandable Jim Gavin normally keeps him in reserve.
And he made quite an impression on Dublin supporters at the official homecoming in O’Connell Street the day after the 0-12 to 0-9 win over Kerry last month.
The forward showed off his fine singing voice as he serenaded the crowd with Van Morrisson’s classic ‘Brown Eyed Girl.’
.@kevmc15 belting out brown eyed girl! #UpTheDubs pic.twitter.com/3uScv1EZ7Y
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) September 21, 2015
But today he’s revealed the hilarious back story to his star-making turn in front of thousands of Dublin fans and how his plans were almost scuppered
“I was singing for about three days and we had a few great sessions. I went up to the lads in the band and I asked them if they knew this song and they said no and I was there for about ten minutes to figure out a song they knew.
“They ended up giving me a list of songs they knew and I saw ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and we said at least people will sing that.
“And then I realised I didn’t know the words!
“So luckily my 4G was working and I knew the first verse and during the chorus I was able to Google the words to the second verse and they came in time or else the crowd was going to get a re-run of the first verse.”
Dublin are getting used to success but the club championship kicks back into full power over the coming days with McManamon set to be a key player for St Jude’s as they face St Brigid’s in O’Toole Park on Saturday at 5pm in the second round of the championship. How does he find the balance between celebrating and getting back to earth with his club?
“I’m getting to the stage now where I really enjoy things. I would have poisoned myself a couple days after the final but it’s nice to get back doing something relatively healthy. I love getting back to club action and I love it.
“We could be done Saturday evening but hopefully it will go on for a bit longer.”
Today the GPA announced proposals that would see a condensing of the GAA club calendar with a ‘Champions League-style’ competition proposed for the inter-county calendar to see club and inter-county players have a defined end of season.
The plans are something the three-time All-Ireland winner agrees with.
“To me anything that makes the inter-county season shorter is a plus. The gaps between the games are too long and I think the club players are being disrespected and I think it’s the way forward. I’m happy to see changes even if it might be a break from tradition.
“I think for years we say the third Sunday in September, we can’t break it, but I’ve played a few delayed finals so no-one says boo.
“I’d take the break from tradition to tidy up the season and end it in early august if it was me.”
The 28-year old is probably the most famous supersub of all time at this stage in GAA history with his game breaking cameo in 2011’s final against Kerry followed by another against Kerry in 2013 and Mayo famously in the All-Ireland semi final.
Was he frustrated at all this season being on the bench?
“It’s just the way my career has gone really. Sometimes I ran into a wall around August and the manager chose a different role for me and I just take it on the chin. Anyway if I can funnel my energy into the team it’s a good thing and sometimes the team gets a lift from it too.
“It is probably part of my identity to be honest but I’d like to be a 70 minute man if possible.”
Dublin’s Kevin McManamon spoke to SportsJOE at AIG Insurance’s offices in Dublin today for a reception to mark the All-Ireland success.
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