Denis Bastick’s journey to making Dublin squad gives hope to all late bloomers

It’s a funny one.

Looking at these Dublin players you assume they were all stars in the making growing up. Do you remember that lad you played with or against at underage and you knew that he was destined for county? Looking at Jim Gavin’s side there is a whole host of talented players. There’s Diarmuid Connolly, Jack McCaffrey and Con O’Callaghan that all burst onto the scene at a young age and were devastatingly good. And then you have Denis Bastick. https://twitter.com/DubGAAOfficial/status/930883093816373248 At the age of 36, Bastick has opted to call it a day for Dublin with five All-Ireland medals to his name but the Templeogue Synge Street player only made his championship debut when he was 28. On The GAA Hour, show host Colm Parkinson was full of praise detailing Bastick’s rise to the top:

“He waited until 28, stuck at it his game, stuck at his game, got his break. He still hasn’t made it now because when he got his break in 2009 he was played full back and he was an atrocious full back. “I remember I was on Hill 16 for one or two of the games and I was actually doing a player-cam on Batick full-back and we were kind of jeering at how poor (he was). “The man had no idea how to play there. So then, he still didn’t get disheartened he still stuck around and ends up making a team regularly at midfield with five All-Ireland senior titles. “If anyone deserves five All-Irelands it’s Denis Bastick."

It has been an illustrious career for Bastick with the mentioned five All-Ireland titles to go along with his seven Leinster and four National League titles and he was evidently grateful for his career. https://twitter.com/DenisBastick/status/930826221608464385 The midfielder released a lengthy statement in his farewell that was fitting for such a great career:

There is no easy time to step away from something that has been a driving goal and the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. But I feel that now is the right time for me to retire from the Dublin senior football panel. I do so with a heavy heart, but equally with an enormous sense of pride and satisfaction to have been a part of what has and continues to be a golden era for Dublin football. Playing for Dublin is something I have never taken lightly. It has been both an honour and a privilege to wear a sky blue jersey, to run out onto a full Croke Park and to have been a part of Dublin county panels since 2005. I have been fortunate to win an All-Ireland junior medal and five All-Ireland senior medals in this time – but of equal value to me are the friendships and the memories that I have amassed along this journey and these are things I will cherish. There was a time when simply making a Dublin training panel was an all-consuming ambition, then staying there and trying to make the bus for the match day panel, then the starting team and trying to bring Sam Maguire back to the Capital. Apart from the injuries – I would gladly do it all again. To have captained the junior squad under Mick Deegan, Mick Galvin and Jack Sheedy and been on the senior squads under Pillar Caffrey, Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin was an honour I treasure, and I would like to greatly thank the assistance given to me by John Costello and the Dublin County Board and successive back room teams and medical teams over this time. A special thank you also to the Gaelic Players Association for their continued support of me and players all over the country. Sincere thanks to my employer EBS for facilitating my commitment to my sport. Playing for Dublin is special, and I feel blessed to have battled alongside so many special footballers who were a constant source of inspiration through their dedication, commitment and loyalty to the cause of bringing glory to Dublin and raising silverware in front of the Hill. I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife Jody for her love and support. To my two-year-old son Aiden and my 6 month old daughter Clara -Jane who inspire me every day and who I have had the privilege to carry up the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the Sam Maguire. To my parents, family and friends for allowing me to pursue my dream, only they will know the sacrifices they have made on my behalf. I want to also acknowledge Sean McKieran, Alan O’Brien and everyone in my club Templeogue Synge Street, who have played a significant role in my success, for their constant support and encouragement and I look forward to moving from county to club and being able to give back more time to them in the years ahead. Lastly, to the Dublin fans who were on the road with us on dark days, cold days and glory days – a heartfelt thank you for your unwavering support through it all. Stepping away from this group of outstanding athletes and people is not easy. But I look forward to seeing them continue and cheering them on the journey of being the best they can be and maximising the precious time that they have in that most sacred jersey. Ath Cliath Abú Denis