In what is a huge boost for Anthony Daly and his management team, Ross O’Carroll has committed himself to the Dublin hurlers for the forthcoming season.
O’Carroll, older brother of full back on last year’s All-Ireland winning football side Rory, has been a member of Pat Gilroy’s panel for the last two seasons, but has been hindered by a succession of injuries which have seriously limited his game time in the sky blue jersey.
A talented operator in both codes, Ross has decided to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Conal Keaney and Shane Ryan and throw his lot in with the hurlers, who won the Division One League title last season and came within a whisker of shocking Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final.
The capture of O’Carroll represents something of a coup for Daly, who decided to soldier on for another year with the Dubs at the end of last season.
The addition of O’Carroll will be a big help to the Dubs as they, along with numerous other second tier counties, attempt to break the stranglehold that Kilkenny and Tipperary currently hold on the small ball game.
It will also go a long way to help the Dubs achieve the ridiculously optimistic goal of winning an All-Ireland title every five years, as outlined in the much-derided ‘Blue Wave’ document issued by the County Board late last year.
No pressure then, Ross.
