Just how good is Stephen Cluxton?
Five times now the Parnells man has lifted Sam Maguire and to put that into context, in the history of the GAA, only two men have lifted the All-Ireland on three occasions.
- John Kennedy (1891, 1892 & 1894)
- Sean O’Kennedy (1915,1916,1917).
Cluxton has climbed the steps of the Hogan stand FIVE times now. Five times, incredible stuff.
The 37-year-old has tapped into uncharted territory, no goalkeeper has ever had such a big influence on their side before, and probably never will again. Former team mate Coman Goggins was at the launch of the first ever Dublin sports fests. He highlighted just how crucial Cluxton is to this Dublin team.
“He’s phenomenal. The key word I use is how does he stay relevant? How does a keeper be involved with a football team for 10/15 years and still be the go-to guy for how to move the game forward, and that’s what he’s done.”
“He’s been a pioneer for goalkeeping and where he’s brought the game. If he continues to do that who knows how long he can stay around, I hope it’s for another couple of years anyway ’cause he is that crucial to this team at the moment.” Goggins added.
Cluxton doesn’t do interviews, in this run of Dublin dominance we have been lucky enough to get a yearly 4 minute chat with Michael Lyster during the winners banquet at the Gibson Hotel. Goggins believes Cluxton isn’t being rude by by not doing media, he’s just shy.
“You know, shunning the media, is probably the wrong word. He’s just a shy man, the media is not something he is overly keen on. You could meet him yourself in terms of a chat, and it would probably be a very short discussion, he’s just that kind of a guy.”
This is not something that has been held against Cluxton the way it may have been held against other players, in fact you get a sense that his perceived shyness is what endears him to fans all over the country.
He has been around so long, it is hard to remember a time when Stephen Cluxton wasn’t manning the house for the Dubs. Why has he been able to not only sustain a high performance levels but continue to improve on them?
“I suppose what makes him what he is, is that he’s just relentless in his own ambition to be the best that he can be and the work rate that he puts in”
“I’ll take you back to 2001, he was the first man on the field, he was kicking 45’s in 2001, it was 2010/2011 before someone said, ‘this might be a ploy we can use’.”
Goggins added “So he’s always been almost ahead of the game in what he’s needed to do to stay relevant and current. His kick-out, his technique, his routine, he’s quite verbal on the field in terms of his instructions and not allowing boys to sit back or rest on their laurels. So it’s just a relentless drive to be the best that he can be.”
