Jim Gavin talked to Off The Ball about his decision to call time on his tenure as Dublin manager.
Gavin said there was a combination of factors that went into his decision but ultimately it came down to what he felt was best for the team.
“I’ve been on the road for 12 years. I took on the under 21 role in the winter of 2007 so it's been a fantastic journey I’ve been on.
“The players have been listening to me talk an awful lot, some of them for the guts of that twelve years.”
Gavin gave the example of Philly McMahon who was his first captain all the way back in 2008.
The Round Towers man also talked about the professional and personal reasons that went into his decision.
“We all volunteer our time for the GAA and that’s always important to emphasise,” he said.
“I have a busy job in the aviation sector. I also have a young family that have grown up and I probably haven’t been around for a lot of their development years.
“If I'm going to be in the role, I'm going to give it my best. If I can’t give it my best, I need to hand that baton over.”
Gavin discussed the emotional experience of letting the players know that he was leaving.
“It was very emotional for me to let the players know. There was obviously a great connection that we had built up.”
He described it as a “clean break” and he said that’s the way it has to be.
“One king is dead, long live the next king.”
The five-in-a-row winner believes he’s passing on a team in relatively good shape.
“I’m glad that I gave the ship back in reasonable condition. It’s up on the dry dock now. Might need a new lick of paint and maybe some new crew members.”
Next Wednesday evening Off The Ball will broadcast a special inter-county GAA quiz hosted by Jim Gavin and Michael O'Muircheartaigh.
It's in aid of the Dublin Neurological Institute at the Mater Hospital, get onto gofundme/jim-gavin to donate and you could win a training session with Jim Gavin for your club or a pair of tickets for the All Ireland Football Final.
The teams for the quiz are:
Dublin: Paddy Andrews and Mossy Quinn
Mayo: Aidan O'Shea and Cora Staunton
Kerry: Kieran Donaghy and Colm Cooper
Donegal: Eamon Magee and Neil Gallagher
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