Dublin’s James McCarthy is solely focused on the upcoming All-Ireland final rather than counting potential medals. McCarthy, along with defender Michael Fitzsimons and goalie Stephen Cluxton, is aiming for a historic ninth All-Ireland SFC medal. However, McCarthy insists that winning is all that matters to him and he doesn’t complicate things in his mind. He focuses on getting himself in the best condition possible and on key defensive and offensive aspects of the game. McCarthy acknowledges that people were speculating about his retirement a few weeks ago, emphasizing the importance of not getting caught up in such distractions. He won’t stay up late at night thinking about the final and believes that enjoyment and maximizing performance with his teammates are more important.
While this final could secure a monumental achievement for McCarthy and his fellow Dublin players, he emphasizes that his main focus is on the All-Ireland final itself and the challenge that Kerry pose. McCarthy acknowledges that losing back-to-back semi-finals has served as a significant motivator for the team. They were defeated by Mayo in 2021 and by Kerry in a gripping clash last summer. McCarthy views those losses as opportunities for learning and acknowledges that sometimes the best team wins, but he believes they had opportunities to win those games themselves. The disappointments of those defeats provide a huge motivation for the team heading into the All-Ireland final.
Dublin has a strong history in the All-Ireland final, with their last loss in a Sam Maguire showpiece occurring in 1994 when they were defeated by Down. Since then, they have experienced numerous victories, including their breakthrough win in 2011. McCarthy has been a part of the squad for every victory since then, witnessing the return of Cluxton, Jack McCaffrey, and Paul Mannion. Despite the return of these players and the fact that some experienced stars may be approaching the end of their careers, McCarthy denies any last dance motives. He emphasizes that they are still enjoying their football and take each season as it comes. McCarthy expresses his delight at having the returning players back in the squad, highlighting their incredible football skills.
In summary, James McCarthy’s sole focus is on the All-Ireland final and achieving victory. He believes in keeping things simple and not letting distractions or speculations affect him. McCarthy acknowledges the disappointments of recent losses but views them as learning experiences and motivation for the upcoming final. Despite the return of key players and potential endings of careers, McCarthy denies any last dance mindset and expresses his enjoyment of the game. The Dublin team aims to secure another All-Ireland victory and add to their remarkable history in the competition.
