DON’T TURN YOUR back on a powerful footballer who has three All-Irelands and two All-Stars to his name.
It’s a harsh lesson but one that was learned by a St Patrick’s Emerald City player in a match against former Dublin full-back Rory O’Carroll in Auckland over the weekend.
O’Carroll recently joined Marist Rangers GAA Club having decided to work and travel in New Zealand, and opt out of the Dubs’ All-Ireland title defence attempt, at the start of this year.
A man who is more accustomed to dealing with the physical challenges posed by Aidan O’Shea and Kieran Donaghy, he made his presence felt in this Auckland GAA tie, a 3-10 to 2-12 victory for the Rangers.
He may have been in the unfamiliar role of midfield but when you have the experience and athleticism of O’Carroll, the number on your back doesn’t matter a whole lot.
DIFFERENTLY
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The Kilmacud Crokes clubman also lined out for John McBrides GAA club in Chicago over the summer months after a spell of travel in Latin America.
Crokes are, of course, also having to make do without O’Carroll’s services this season and would no doubt like to have the 26-year-old available for their Dublin SFC quarter-final clash against St Jude’s tonight.
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