“To have him around at training, week in, week out, is absolutely massive” – Cunningham learning from Mannion

Lee Costello

“I know Dublin fans are probably wanting Paul back.”

Shane Cunningham will lead Kilmacud Crokes this Saturday in the Go-Ahead Dublin Senior Football Club Championship final, taking place in Parnell Park in Dublin.

The captain has been in spectacular form, and bagged himself a brilliant goal in the semi-final against Ballyboden.

However, naturally a lot of the attention is going to be on his teammate, Paul Mannion, who opted out of the Dublin panel last season, despite still being in his 20s and performing at such a high level.

Under Jim Gavin, many regarded Mannion to be the finest forward in the country, but his starring role in the county side was replaced with one as an impact sub, when Dessie Farrell took over in 2020.

Leading public transport provider, Go-Ahead Ireland are the titles sponsors of all adult Dublin club leagues and championships. Photos David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

After Dublin’s shocking defeat to Mayo this summer, man Dublin fans were missing the sight of the Crokes man in sky blue.

However, with his focus solely on club football, Cunningham and his Kilmacud Crokes teammates, are reaping the rewards of having him around full time.

“I won’t lie to you and say that it wasn’t a massive bonus to have him around, and Rory O’Carroll as well.

“To have them around at training, week in, week out, is absolutely massive.

“Their quality alone, but on top of that their leadership and just the way they train and play, you can only learn of them.

“So to have them around the whole year has definitely been an added bonus. I know Dublin fans are probably wanting Paul back, and maybe Rory too but for ourselves we’re just absolutely delighted that he’s around full-time.”

“But he definitely is enjoying his free-time,” Cunningham said about Mannion.

“He is very driven professionally as well. I don’t think his life revolves around Gaelic football. He probably gets asked enough about going back in with Dublin so I don’t have that conversation with him ever really about what his thoughts are.

“I am just happy to have him back. I have no doubt if he went back he would probably still be one of the best footballers in Ireland.”