LIAM RUSHE’S DUBLIN senior career began at full-forward in 2009 when he was fresh out of minor ranks.
He then shifted to midfield, picking up an Allstar and the Young Hurler of the Year award in 2011.
Two years ago it was his exploits at centre-back that were rewarded with another Allstar award.
Now the wheel has come full circle with Rushe likely to be installed in the Dublin attack once more as their championship opener looms against Galway next Sunday.
“I don’t know am I more excited or nervous. I’ll take in my stride…It’s an awkward question isn’t it?
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“I was like a fish out of water at the start. I’m definitely more comfortable in the half forward line. The full forward line is an awkward position to play.
‘Fishing Rod’
You have to be so patient and so economical with the ball you get or you’ll be getting the fishing rod early on.
“You have to be mentally strong because if you lose a ball you mighn’t see it for six or seven minutes. You can easily dwell on that ball you lost and you have to keep telling yourself you are going to win the next one.”
Galway's David Collins and Dublin's Liam Rushe at the Liberty Insurance #DriveSafer campaign. Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
Rushe admits that he had thought his days as an attacker were at an end.
“It was something we tried earlier in my career and I thought we had come to the conclusion it wasn’t a flyer. Maybe by the time I was moved out of there I was only getting used to it and all of a sudden you’re out again.
“I thought we had abandoned it. It’s takes a while you are not playing there underage or with the club and then you’re playing there at intercounty. It’s a big leap to make.”
Liam Rushe celebrates Dublin's 2013 Leinster final victory. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Dublin have happy memories of their last championship bout with Sunday’s opponents, seeing them off in the 2013 Leinster final.
They faced Galway as well in this spring’s league but Rushe finds it hard to attach much significance to that game.
Shadow Boxing
“There was the usual shadow boxing when we played them in the League. They were home and dry and they were just trying to throw a spanner in the works.
“It’s very hard to know how things are going when you haven’t seen much of them. But they have Joe Canning and plenty of other fire power around them. Johnny Glynn is going really well and they have a lot of household names.”
'I was like a fish out of water at the start' - Allstar defender moves to attack
LIAM RUSHE’S DUBLIN senior career began at full-forward in 2009 when he was fresh out of minor ranks.
He then shifted to midfield, picking up an Allstar and the Young Hurler of the Year award in 2011.
Two years ago it was his exploits at centre-back that were rewarded with another Allstar award.
Now the wheel has come full circle with Rushe likely to be installed in the Dublin attack once more as their championship opener looms against Galway next Sunday.
“I don’t know am I more excited or nervous. I’ll take in my stride…It’s an awkward question isn’t it?
“I was like a fish out of water at the start. I’m definitely more comfortable in the half forward line. The full forward line is an awkward position to play.
‘Fishing Rod’
“You have to be mentally strong because if you lose a ball you mighn’t see it for six or seven minutes. You can easily dwell on that ball you lost and you have to keep telling yourself you are going to win the next one.”
Rushe admits that he had thought his days as an attacker were at an end.
“It was something we tried earlier in my career and I thought we had come to the conclusion it wasn’t a flyer. Maybe by the time I was moved out of there I was only getting used to it and all of a sudden you’re out again.
“I thought we had abandoned it. It’s takes a while you are not playing there underage or with the club and then you’re playing there at intercounty. It’s a big leap to make.”
Dublin have happy memories of their last championship bout with Sunday’s opponents, seeing them off in the 2013 Leinster final.
They faced Galway as well in this spring’s league but Rushe finds it hard to attach much significance to that game.
Shadow Boxing
“There was the usual shadow boxing when we played them in the League. They were home and dry and they were just trying to throw a spanner in the works.
“It’s very hard to know how things are going when you haven’t seen much of them. But they have Joe Canning and plenty of other fire power around them. Johnny Glynn is going really well and they have a lot of household names.”
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Allstar Dub Up Front GAA 2015 Hurling Liam Rushe Dublin