| Young Dub gives Sky Blues hope for future |
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| Tuesday, 09 September 2008 | |
 THE Dubs might have given fans nightmares after the recent crushing defeat against Tyrone but for one young player this year has been the stuff of dreams.Philip McMahon pulled on a senior Dublin jersey at Croke Park in the emphatic 23-point victory over Wexford in the Leinster Senior Football Final. For Philip it was the realisation of a childhood fantasy when he stood alongside fellow team mates and proudly raised the Delaney Cup. “I was third to hold the trophy, and it just didn’t register,” he says. “Just seeing the fans on the pitch, and realising that was me last year looking up at the team, was amazing.” Philip, who celebrates his 21st birthday, this week, speaks of the dedication and hard work which secured his place on the winning team. Very active as a child he regularly took part in hurling and soccer training, and it wasn’t long before Philip’s undeniable talent was recognised by his PE teacher Mr Keane, at the Holy Spirit School in Ballymun when aged just 7. He was picked for the school team and played on the side that won a juvenile hurling cup in Croke Park, but he never imagined that 13 years later he would be holding up the Leinster Cup in the same stadium. Soon after his first junior Croker appearance, Philip was brought up to Ballymun Kickhams to take part in a summer camp programme. It was there he was introduced to former Dublin captain, Paddy Christie, who was setting up his first juvenile football team for the club. This was the start of what Philip calls a ‘firm friendship’ as well as a successful and hardworking relationship which took him through the ranks of Gaelic Football, and finally led to Paddy publicly passing Philip the senior baton this year. Philip was part of a team of 20 under-10 players Paddy took on in 1997. He worked with the squad of players right through to under-21 level. “There were only three survivors and Philip was one of them,” says Paddy. “He was fit and skilful at an early age. He had a lot of talent; great hurling and soccer skills, but he focused on Gaelic football at around the age of 14. “He was far from perfect. We had a few run-ins and chats on the back of the buses, especially on the under-10’s team. “But he’s not far from perfect now; he’s an exception. And he’s turned out to be a well mannered gentleman.” Paddy believes that in another year Philip will be cemented on the Dublin senior team, but it could have been very different. The young Philip had multiple sporting interests and he was sent to do a five day trial at Nottingham Forest Football Club in the UK when he was just 12. On his return the demands for his talent were increasing. Local soccer club Home Farm – a famous breeding ground for several successful players - wanted to sign him immediately. “I was just going from match to match,” said Philip. But it was our national sport which held most attraction for Philip and he made the Under 16’s Dublin Development Squad while playing for Ballymun Kickhams. He spent a year with the under 16’s before going on to play two years for the Dublin Minors. He then made the Under 21’s team and was crowned team captain and eventually, he gained the credibility to be brought up to the Dublin Seniors. “It was unreal looking at all those fellahs that you paid to watch, and then going to train with them,” he says. “Shane Ryan and Stephen Cluxton were very helpful.” The senior players respected Philip’s talent and gave him ‘pep talks’ to prepare him for senior games. Philip displayed good stamina and was positioned wing-back. He played in all eight matches in the O’Byrne Cup which began in January. Dublin went on to win the cup, which led them to the National League, and then on to the Leinster Cup. Philip recalls his first time heading to Croke Park as a Dublin player, to play Louth in the Leinster quarter final. Philip played in the second half of the game. “It was unreal; I was on the coach from Parnell Park, seeing all the fans cheering us on, it was surreal,” he recalls. “I got on the pitch and everything felt like it was on top of me; 55,000 people there; it was a lot of adrenaline. It’s hard to describe the feeling.” Displaying true professional qualities Philip says he remained “focused on the game alone, rather than the crowd”. “You have to psyche yourself out,” he says. The five times a week training sessions for the All Ireland campaign didn’t cause Philip many problems. After all, he’s a qualified personal trainer, working mainly from Dublin City University (DCU), Santry. He helps football teams; individual training and women’s classes to improve their personal fitness levels. “A lot of women come before holidays and weddings; they find it fun and successfully achieve their target goals in three-to-six weeks. “New clients are always welcome,” he says with a smile. Optimistic and motivated, Philip plans to study sports science and pursue a career in physical education. “It’s the ultimate GAA career,” he says. Philip is proud of his Ballymun roots and his family and friends are unlikely to let him get carried away with his success. Choosing to commit to GAA will also help him keep his feet on the ground as here’s no room for prima-donnas in the world of our national sport. “I’ll always know where I came from and I’ll never have a big ego,” he says. “But I haven’t reached my goals yet. I’d love to captain the Dublin team, while they win the All-Ireland.” Proud parents Philip Snr and Valerie have fully supported their son’s career. Valerie recalls driving home from town when Philip was aged seven. “He pointed to Croke Park and said ‘one of these days I’m going to play there mammy’,” she says proudly. “I would like to thank Paddy Christie for everything he has done for Philip.” With solid support from his family and friends, and a steely determination, Philip’s career seems set to soar. |
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Developed by Kevin Flynn