Ballymun manager Brendan Hackett claims Dublin’s decade of success came at a cost for the northside club.
The county SFC semi- finalists have Dublin stars James McCarthy, Dean Rock, Philly McMahon, the Small brothers and goalie Evan Comerford in their ranks.
Despite all that talent they’ve only claimed one Dublin title since 1985 – in 2012, when they blitzed the capital under Paul Curran.
Experienced Hackett says the reality is that Ballymun’s best players typically return from county duty exhausted and mentally drained.
Eyeing Sunday’s last four clash against Kilmacud Crokes, the ex-Westmeath, Longford and Offaly boss said club activity coming first this year has been a massive help.
Hackett said: “It’s the first time in my tenure here that we’ve had a full team to train with and to pick from at all stages.
“Compare this now to last year – 10 days after the biggest event in GAA history, the five-in-a-row, you’re asking six players to come in and try to give their best in the club championship.
“It’s impossible, I don’t care who you are.
“This year the difference is they’re there all the time.
“They’re fresh, they’re part of the team, they’re driving the standards and that’s the big difference. “Probably Dublin have benefited hugely from Ballymun’s contribution really, and probably Ballymun haven’t got that benefit.”
Canny punters are lumping their hard earned on Ballymun to finally realise their potential.
They breezed through their group with nine goals in three games and showed their character to come from behind against Na Fianna in the quarter- finals.
Hackett said: “There’s no excuses now. We’re either good enough or not. You can’t use the excuse of, ‘Well, we didn’t have the county players’. So it’s our best chance and that’s what we say. We’re playing with confidence, we’re playing with belief.”
