MICHAEL FITZSIMONS WAS aware for a long time of Con O’Callaghan’s football talent before they started sharing a Dublin senior dressing-room.
Both Cuala club men, Fitzsimons knew why this year’s All-Ireland U21 winning joint captain was flagged as a player of promise
“Our mothers are best friends so we would have always been over at their house.
“We (Fitzsimons and his brother) went to CBC Monkstown and their house is around the corner so we used to go there after school with our mum and we’d play soccer in the back garden with the two young lads, Cian and Con.
“They were both incredible talents back then – they were noted even back when they were doing the Cuala summer camps so it’s great to see them coming through.
“It’s a nice thing now as you get older to play with lads you coached, it’s great. It’s great to have another Cuala lad on the team.”
Fitzsimons wasn’t on the pitch for the greatest day in Cuala’s club history on St Patrick’s Day last but he savoured the win and relished the days around the historic occasion.
The defender played hurling up until U21 level before playing football with UCD brought him to the attention of Dave Billings and he was soon recruited by the Dublin setup.
“It was incredible – the dream. When you’re playing club hurling and football, to play in a final on St Patrick’s Day is the whole occasion.
“I went down to Dalkey early and got a DART in and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the atmosphere and seeing the work those lads put in, the lads I grew up playing with, and knowing what they had just achieved was incredible.
“After each game the atmosphere grew and grew. There was more bunting up, more local business getting involved, Benito’s, an Italian restaurant, had Forza Cuala in the window.
“There were murals, paintings of players around the town – it really was surreal. I enjoyed hurling and I was probably similar enough at both, but they found a niche for me in football.”
He has toasted plenty Dublin senior success in recent years and another campaign begins on Saturday with a Leinster outing against Carlow.
But Fitzsimons is keen to credit a junior campaign in 2008 in helping propel him into the senior spotlight.
“That was massive. It was great because we went out to Parnell Park and did trials, there was Mick Deegan (manager), Jack Sheedy, Mick Galvin and a big deal was made about it.
“It was a step-up in level, it was a chance to represent Dublin, which I didn’t think I’d get a chance to do, and to go on and win an All-Ireland was huge.
“It was in Portlaoise, there was a big crowd, it was a great occasion.
“I really enjoyed it and I suppose with U21 getting dropped down to U20 next year, it could be used that way. I though it was great, but it does require a lot of hard work and the lads brought a lot of energy – Mick Deegan and all took it seriously.
“Their expertise and hearing their stories were great. We got Denis Bastick, Eoghan O’Gara and Darren Daly (out of that team). We got to play in Croke Park twice as well. That was a huge bonus.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
€2 Mane first goal, Liverpool 3-1
33/1 PP I’ll give it a shot , cheers!! :)
@Devilsavocado: you’re throwing 2 bobs around like your Rockerflella ya mad thing. Although I do have a cheeky fiver on that too
@Devilsavocado: how’s that
36mins gone, 3 nil up, hate to say it but cash out lads, cash out
@my name: BLOW IT UP REF!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D
Hang on a second, there’s been a development
@Devilsavocado: cash out
@Chief: just checked it,, all I’m offered is €6.87,, might wait ten mins or so of the 2nd half,, decisions decisions….
@Chief: I’ve mine done the old fashioned way. Dam stupid bookies on the way home!
I feel yere pain lads.. If Liverpool get another goal do you celebrate or cry?
@Chief: no ones bigger than the club Chief!! I’ll celebrate
@Chief:I took your advice mate and cashed out,, 6.87 better than nothing I suppose, there was always going to be more goals.
Early goals make the changes at half time get ready for Leicester at the weekend
@stephen darling: they’re is a fine line between confidence & arrogance….
@Noel Doherty: No arrogance just confidence in my team
@stephen darling: How confident are you now,blowing a 3-0 lead
@John Connolly: you rest up there lad, you’ve a big game tomorrow night
@John Connolly: always have confidence in me team no matter if we’re 3up or 3 Down. The game against Barca last year shows what can happen in football. Are you recording the game tomorrow night or Eastenders
@stephen darling: 3-0 up against the might Salzburg,
@John Connolly: who are united playing tomorrow night buddy?
@my name: what have Man Utd got to do with Liverpool conceding 3 goals at home
@John Connolly: This is Champions league football. But then what would your shower know about it . Ole getting his excuses in early complaining about the pitch. Is he afraid the bus will get stuck
@John Connolly: they’re experts at conceding goals John and as a united fan trolling on a Liverpool article you should know that pal
@my name: not trolling,just stating the obvious
@John Connolly: you’d love united to be in game tonight lad. So settle down and enjoy Champions League football
@my name: 3 times you’ve mentioned Man Utd on a Liverpool article,who’s trolling who??
@John Connolly: welcome back. Best of luck with the United game tomoro night. That’s 4!
@John Connolly: be careful of Salzburg you might get them later on if you make it through the group.
@stephen darling: ah leave John off lads. He has to get football enjoyment anywhere he can these days. You’d feel sorry for him.
@Gareth Keenan: somewhat, yes
@John Connolly: Not as bad as getting beat 2-1 by the mighty Crystal Palace.
You can’t beat Champions league nights in Anfield.
@stephen darling: I’m just not able
Liverpool very sporting of them to let Salzburg back into match, goes to show what a quality club they are, but to be fair they need to push on now and win 5_3
When are teams going to learn that Liverpool dont play through the middle but create 95% of there changes from the wings! The amount of teams that set up narrow against Liverpool hoping they will somehow bottle them up through the centre and frustrate them is ridiculous…Liverpool could get 5+ in this!!!
@Ottomaaan: 5-3????
Gomez has been absolutely dreadful
Light work