Winning an All-Ireland does not come easy – you are told it is a squad game, 26 men required and all that.
But what about the team behind the squad? The army of physios, coaches, doctors and kitmen who ensure that everyone is as fit as possible and all the players have to think about is their football or their hurling.
The Daily Mail last week made quite a fuss over Pep Guardiola’s 16-man backroom team at Manchester City, but in terms of matchday support staff at least, the GAA would appear to be on a level with the Premier League.
The magic number seems to be 23. Both the All-Ireland football and hurling champions had 23-strong backroom teams helping coordinate their moments of glory this year.
Dublin football backroom team = 23
Tipperary hurling backroom team = 23
That appears to be the price of success lads pic.twitter.com/cORTzy0DoG— Brian Flanagan (@BHDFlanagan) October 4, 2016
There have of course been questions asked about Dublin’s war chest and the GAA’s contributions towards it in terms of games development funding and other ‘operating payments’ – €2.1million in 2015.
However, Tipperary are keeping pace with Dublin in terms of their backroom team, at least, despite a far smaller contribution from Croke Park.
https://twitter.com/Shane_Mangan/status/783365876057796609
So, who exactly is involved in an All-Ireland winning backroom team? We took a look at Dublin’s non-playing staff from the All-Ireland final replay win over Mayo.
1. Jim Gavin (manager): Since taking over in 2012, the former Under-21 manager has won three All-Irelands, four Leinster titles and four Allianz Leagues.
2. Brian Doyle (sports administrator): Works with head of high performance Bryan Cullen (not pictured).
3. Ray Boyne (head of performance analysis): On and off, the Ulster Bank employee has been crunching numbers for Dublin teams since 2003.
4. Mick Deegan (selector): Gavin’s right-hand man since 2012, he is the manager’s voice on the sideline – passing instructions to the players.
5. Jonathan Courtney (backroom team): The former Sarsfields (Kildare) manager is a former colleague of Gavin’s in the defence forces.
6. Niall Barry (physio): The chartered physiotherapist has also worked with Leinster Rugby, Cricket Ireland and Clontarf Rugby.
7. Chris Farrell (cameraman): Involved with Gavin’s All-Ireland winning Under-21s in 2012, he shoots match footage for analysis.
8. Tony Boylan (logistics): Looks after the transport of all kit and equipment.
9. Davy Byrne (goalkeeping coach): The former Dublin player has the happy task of honing the skills of Stephen Cluxton – who already held the number 1 shirt when Byrne retired in 2002.
10. James Cullen (physio): Working with the Dublin footballers since 2007, he also treats the Irish rugby team having previously been with Leinster for eight years.
11. Shane O’Hanlon (selector): The St Vincent’s man is with Gavin since the Under-21 days and has been described by the manager as his ‘operations manager’.
12. Jason Sherlock (forwards coach): The former ‘Darling of the Hill’ was a team-mate of Gavin’s and has been working with the attackers for the past two years.
13. Declan Darcy (selector): Famously captained Leitrim to a Connacht title in 1994 before returning to his native Dublin. He and Deegan work mostly with the defenders in training.
14. Jim Gavin senior (backroom team): Provider of fatherly advice to the manager.
15. Bernard Dunne (lifestyle coach): Involved since 2013, the former WBA super bantamweight champion has described his role as “helping Jim in any way I can”.
16. David Boylan (logistics): A son of Tony, he assists with the transport of Dublin’s matchday equipment.
What a night #Sam pic.twitter.com/ymMY4OGAcb
— David Boylan (@davidboylan82) October 4, 2016
17. Daniel Davey (nutritionist): Like other members of the backroom team, Davey also works with Leinster Rugby. The former Sligo footballer tells them what to eat and when to eat.
18. Anne-Marie Kennedy (yoga teacher): Involved since 2013, Kennedy helps the players with breathing techniques and their mobility.
19. Mick Seavers (Dublin county board vice-chairman): The Erin’s Isle man was elected in 2015.
20. Kieran O’Reilly (physio): Having previously worked with rugby and soccer professionals, O’Reilly is currently also involved with the Irish cricket team.
21. Frank Roebuck (stats): A clubmate of Gavin’s at Round Towers, he assists Boyne in analysing the game data gathered.
22. Seamus McCormack (media manager): The former Erin’s Isle footballer brings his Air Corps background to bare as he helps control the huge interest in Gavin and his team.
23. Ciaran O’Malley (doctor): Looks after the matchday medical needs of the squad.
Additional reporting: Conan Doherty and Colm Parkinson
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