Every inter-county star's sporting journey begins with the club, rooted with their family, community and friends. For the Dublin quartet of Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, John Small and Dean Rock, Ballymun Kickhams is their place and their club is rightly proud of their county men.

As one of the capital's best-known GAA clubs, it's only fitting that Ballymun Kickhams should have the biggest representation on the Dublin team that's seeking to win a fourth All-Ireland title in six seasons. This hasn't happened by accident with Ballymun having invested much time and energy in their underage teams over the last 15 years or so. Philly, James, John and Dean, who are all regular starters for the Dubs, are products of a juvenile structure that is the envy of GAA clubs not just in Dublin but throughout the country.

"We're proud to lead the way in supplying players to the Dublin senior football team," enthuses Ballymun's juvenile chairman Vinny Kelly.

"The four lads are great ambassadors for our club and don't forget we had Davy Byrne, Sean Currie, Jason Whelan and Sean George on the panel up until recently also. We're all aware of the huge demands on inter-county players nowadays, but the lads are happy to help out the underage whenever they can, be it with coaching or presenting medals. John Small is involved with the U13s, while Dean Rock took the U12s a few years ago as part of his course in DCU.

Ballymun Kickhams senior footballers

"There has always been a tradition and culture in the club of our county players giving something back and it's great to see that continuing. When I was a kid, Anto McCaul and Declan Sheehan, who managed our senior team last year, looked after us and Paddy Christie has brought that level of involvement in underage coaching to a whole new level in more recent times.

"A number of our senior players are also involved with the underage, which is great to see.

"The four county lads are fantastic role models who are very proud of where they come from. They're all unassuming fellas; no airs and graces. They got the best of coaching when they were younger and I know for a fact the people who coached them have taken great satisfaction from seeing them develop into the top-class footballers they are today."

Concentrating on Gaelic football only and catering for the Ballymun and Glasnevin areas, the club which has produced Dublin greats like Barney Rock (Dean's father), John McCarthy (James' father), Anto McCaul, John Kearns and Gerry Hargan fields about 15 boys' and girls' juvenile teams as well as men's senior, intermediate and junior teams and an adult ladies team. Kickhams also run a nursery for younger kids every Saturday morning in St. Kevin's CBS, Glasnevin.

Ballymun Kickhams' James Burke ahead of the 2013 AIB All-Ireland club SFC final 

"Any kid who wants to learn the skills of Gaelic football and be part of a team is welcome with open arms here," says Vinny, who is joined on the juvenile committee by John Clinton and Paddy Christie, the former Dublin full back and county minor manager.

"We probably have a competitive advantage over most other clubs because we don't have hurling and are able to focus solely on football. On the weeks when other clubs are playing hurling, we're able to play challenge matches against other football-only clubs in Dublin and in Meath and Louth, which are within a short drive."

As well as having an army of voluntary coaches, Kickhams - which was founded in 1969 following a merger of the old Ballymun Gaels and CJ Kickhams clubs - also have a full-time Games Promotion Officer in Shane Treanor, who is employed by the Dublin county board. The Dungannon, Co. Tyrone native succeeded former Leitrim footballer James Glancy in the role.

Vinny identifies Declan Small - John's father and club chairman - as a driving force behind Kickhams' underage revival at the turn of the millennium. He also pays tribute to Paddy Christie for his stellar work with juvenile teams over the years.

Philly McMahon in action during the 2013 AIB All-Ireland Club SFC final

"Declan, who has a great understanding with our adult secretary Dermot McManus, became heavily involved when John was starting out. John played in an U15 championship final which we lost to Castleknock. I can remember Ciaran Kilkenny giving an outstanding performance at centre back for Castleknock on that occasion.

"James McCarthy and Dean Rock, who are great pals, played on the same team all the way up, but didn't have much success. But you could tell from an early age they were going to make it at the highest level. I had the pleasure of playing alongside them in my last year with the junior team.

"I can't speak highly enough of Paddy Christie and what he has done for this club as a player and an underage coach. Philly McMahon, Davy Byrne, Alan Hubbard, Jason Whelan and Seanie Currie were all on the first team he brought through which culminated in them winning an U21 championship double. Those successes were the springboard for our senior championship win in 2012.

"When Paddy handed over that group to the adult section, he went back and started again with a group of U10s. He developed them into a team that brought the first All-Ireland Division 1 Feile title to the club in 2011 and won the U15 championship the following year. They were also successful at U16 level and won the minor championship last year. Five or six of them have since graduated to the senior team, including Paddy Small (John's brother) and Aaron Elliott, who won Leinster U21 medals with Dublin earlier this year.

"The club is in a great place at the moment, but we can't rest on our laurels. The ultimate goal of all of us involved in the underage is to ensure we have a strong senior team and that as many youngsters as possible are still playing and enjoying their football into adulthood."

Former Dublin Footballer and Ballymun Kickhams star, Alan Hubbard, tells the story of what it means to support your team. AIB brings you the First GAA 360 Video so now you can experience what it's like to be part of the Hill 16 Army!

October 29 2012 was arguably the greatest night in the club's history. A famous double was achieved at Parnell Park when the seniors edged out Kilmacud Crokes to capture the Mun's third county championship and first since 1985, while the U15s also claimed championship honours at the expense of local rivals Na Fianna in the curtain-raiser.

"I can still see Paddy (Christie) running over to join the senior squad after being on the sideline for the U15 final," Vinny fondly recalls.

Under the guidance of ex-Dublin star Paul Curran, Kickhams went on to win their first ever Leinster club senior football title by beating Portlaoise in Mullingar, but were denied All-Ireland glory in the cruellest of circumstances when losing to St. Brigid's of Roscommon by a point at Croke Park. Paddy Carr, who guided Kilmacud Crokes to an All-Ireland club title in 2009, is the club's current senior manager.

Ballymun Kickhams has two pitches (one grass and one Astroturf) at its grounds near Dublin Airport, but is reliant on Dublin Corporation pitches to cater for all of its teams.

"While our pitch is easy to access from the M50 and Dublin Airport, it isn't in the heart of the community and isn't big enough to cater for our various teams. Our long-term goal is to relocate, but this is dependent on land being rezoned. It's a long-term process which began in earnest two years ago, but we'll keeping plugging away and see what happens.

"We're grateful to Dublin Corporation and to St. Kevin's CBS, who we have an excellent relationship with, for the use of their facilities," the affable juvenile chairman concludes.

How to View AIB's GAA 360 Video

There are a number of ways in which you can view AIB's GAA 360 video. On a mobile device all viewing is recommended within either the YouTube or the Facebook App. Mobile creates the best viewing experience.

Facebook: Through your app, search for the 'AIB GAA' page. There you'll find the full video at the top of the profile.

YouTube: In your browser type in the following address po.st/clubfuelscounty. This will prompt you to open in the YouTube app.

Google Cardboard: If using the Google Cardboard, in your browser type in the following address po.st/clubfuelscounty. This will prompt you to open in the YouTube app. Once the video begins playing you will notice a Google Cardboard glasses icon in the bottom right hand corner of the video. Select this, pop your mobile device into your cardboard viewer and hit play.

To truly feel like you're in the action we recommend using headphones!

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