Andrews credits Gilroy for "cultural change"

October 08, 2015

Dublin's Paddy Andrews celebrates
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Paddy Andrews has credited Pat Gilroy for changing the Dublin footballers' mindset forever.

The Dubs suffered crushing defeats to Kerry (2009 All-Ireland SFC quarter-final) and Meath (2010 Leinster SFC semi-final) under Gilroy before he delivered a first Sam Maguire to the capital in 16 years in 2011. Dublin have since won two more All-Ireland titles under Jim Gavin and look set to dominate the football landscape in the coming years.

Referring to the Kerry mauling in 2009 and the changes it sparked, Andrews said after picking up the Opel GAA-GPA Footballer of the Month award for September yesterday: "When things like that happen it's not just luck, it's not just a once-off that these things are happening.

"There's a real structure change, a real cultural change that you have to make. And ot be honest, Pat and the players were phenomenal in doing that.

"That breakthrough with Pat in 2011 was a huge part of the success that we have now, in creating that culture. And you can see kind of the way Dublin players and teams carry themselves - it probably has changed a bit over that period."

As someone who is frustrated at the imbalance between games and training, the St. Brigid's clubman supports the GPA's prososal to restructure the championship and free up more time for club activity.

"Well, I think everyone is fed up at this stage," he  continued.

"Everyone is looking for some sort of change. It's not that easy to do. The GAA obviously as an organisation is very traditionalist. And that's a huge part of it. But I think there is overwhelming support from the players for the GPA (proposal), that we do want some sort of change.

"We just want more games, whether that's with Dublin or the clubs. We enjoy games more than training. I don't think that's any secret. It's about trying to work out a way that best suits that."


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