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GAA

28th Jul 2016

Not that they really needed it but Dublin have received a massive boost ahead of the quarter-finals

Conan Doherty

For all those who thought Dublin couldn’t be stopped, think again – and then believe it 10 times more.

James McCarthy is back in training, testament to his iron-like character.

The Ballymun man was reported to be out until at least the All-Ireland final after rumours that he had damaged his medial ligament but it seems that Jim Gavin wasn’t having the media on, it was a contact injury on his quad all along.

Dublin team mate Philly McMahon was speaking at an AIG Travel Insurance launch and he confirmed that his club mate is already back in training.

“As far as I know, he just had a dead quad. I saw him train there during the week and he is looking good,” the defender said of McCarthy.

“James is a massive player for us, both going forward and defensively, he is so fluid and relaxed on the ball, but again we are very lucky that we have such a strong squad and it’s very competitive.”

If you were going to expect anyone to defy a time frame on the sidelines, it’s James McCarthy.

The legendary number five is made of steel. He’s as tough as old boots. He’s every cliche for an unbreakable hard man and it takes more than a knock on the quad to a keep a player like that down.

So, after just one game out, he’s back.

Dublin’s next outing is the All-Ireland quarter-final on August 6 when the champions will face off with either Mayo, Cork, or Donegal. That game, along with the Tyrone quarter-final scheduled for the same day, will be shown exclusively on Sky Sports.

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