Dublin’s James McCarthy says the “embarrassing” manner in which Ballymun Kickhams went out of last year’s championship helped to spur them on this year.

Brendan Hackett’s side hammered holders Ballyboden St Enda’s last Sunday to collect their first Dublin SFC crown in eight long years and McCarthy outlined that a victory over the same opposition back in December brought a lot of heart back into the squad.

“We limped out of the championship again last year, which was embarrassing in the way we went out against Na Fianna,” McCarthy is quoted saying by The42.ie.

“We didn’t have that much training for the [2019] league games. [The final] was the time John and Paddy Small’s dad passed away. We had a meeting, hoping we’d put a bit of heart back in the club so we said let’s have a good crack at the game.

“It was a big game for us but probably not for Ballyboden. It was a dirty December night and we got stuck in and won a tight game. It meant a lot and brought a bit of heart back into the club – everyone back, unified front and I think that made a big difference to us. We went on from there.”

He added: “It’s really sweet when you just work hard – and we’ve beaten all the big teams this year; it’s a great championship to win. We’ve beaten Ballyboden, [Kilmacud] Crokes, Na Fianna, Thomas Davis. I don’t think anyone can argue with us being the best team this year and it was a great way to win it in the final.

“It’s the best I’ve ever played with a team in a final, we were just so dominant.”

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