Dublin All-Star reveals retirement plans ahead of All-Ireland series
Niall Scully hopes to play “for three or four seasons” more for Dublin.
The five-time All-Ireland winner revealed his plans ahead of the county’s All-Ireland series opener against Galway on Saturday.
Dublin were hit with a number of retirements in recent months, with the likes of James McCarthy and Brian Fenton calling time on their Dublin careers.
James McCarthy has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
Thanks for everything, James 💙 pic.twitter.com/IXR3D2OJeh
Scully, aged 31, is now the same age as when players like Fenton called it quits at inter-county level
When speaking on the likes of the former midfield talisman, Scully pointed out that “he had a couple of years on the panel” when the 31-year-old “wasn’t making it”.
The right half-forward had a late start to his Dubs career, making his championship debut at the age of 23 in 2017. He feels retiring now “wouldn’t have felt right”.
Scully said: “Individually I worked incredibly hard to get where I am so, just personally, I wouldn’t be able to give it up this season anyway.”
Amid the loss of a number experienced players, Scully has now stepped into a leadership role as one of the elder statesmen. He would’ve previously “just fitted into the squad and gone along with everything”.
The former All-Star said: “Now you have lads on the panel who were born in 2002 and 2003 and it is just ‘what!”
“There’s a group of eight or nine of us that are the senior part of the group. You’d like to think that we’re in a position to lead by example and share the knowledge that we have.”
Scully added: “And then you’re looking for these younger lads to fit into it and set their own tempo and set their own identity on the squad.”
Despite the huge loss of experience for Dublin, Scully doesn’t feel any decision he makes on his playing career will be influenced by this.
He said: “I haven’t been to that stage where I felt like I wanted to walk away and could potentially feel guilty about doing so.”
The Dubs will be looking to bounce back in Salthill this weekend, following a disappointing defeat against Meath last month in the Leinster Championship.
Sports Joe
