London footballer David McGreevy pictured at the Connacht Championship launch.
By Cian O'Connell
Since making his London debut in 2011 Down native Dave McGreevy has stayed loyal and true to the Exiles’ cause. Grim and great days have been experienced, but McGreevy is encouraged.
The end of the Paul Coggins era and the start of Ciaran Deely’s term in office provide a drop of optimism because so many English born players are now operating on the senior inter-country stage. It is a small, but nonetheless important step for London according to McGreevy.
“It is something that we haven't probably noticed or emphasised in recent years, but I remember when played Louth in a challenge there a few weeks ago, they were over, the team was named and everything, and then it was said that we had eight English born players out on the pitch,” McGreevy told GAA.ie.
“They aren't on because they want to play English born players, they are just cracking players. They've been well coached all the way up. The development squads only really started in 2013, but you can see progress being made.”
In the eternal London struggle that is a source of comfort and pride. McGreevy is adamant that the English born players have the potential to make an impact in the future. “We have a couple of guys involved who are only 18 or 19 years old. They are good players, who have been well coached.
“Yeah, it is something you would notice in club football that these guys have improved throughout the years. They are far more committed as well. You get guys coming over, you get a few coming over every year from club to club asking how much you're going to give me, but it is pure nonsense. That day is gone,” McGreevy reflected.
“You have great English born players, the likes of Adrian Moyles, Philip Butler, and Alfie McNulty. Ciaran Healy is new in this year, he was playing for the minors last year, but he played a few games for us at centre half back. The talent is there, London has about 50 kids out every week with development squads. If we can get at least one Ciaran Healy a year I'd be very confident in London GAA.”
London defeated Sligo in the 2013 Connacht Senior Football Championship.
McGreevy was an influential figure when London reached the 2013 Connacht Senior Football Final, while he also featured in the round 4 qualifier loss against Cavan in that campaign. Now, though, London can plan ahead according to McGreevy. “2011 was my first year, there is no real difference expect the set up of the team has changed. Liam Gavigan, in my first year, I think, was the only English born guy in the panel around Championship time.
“Obviously that has completely changed now and it is for the best. With English born guys playing you can look at it long term, you can build a team. Otherwise you are just building a brand new team year to year. Now we can get some continuity with these young players coming through.”
Coggins, who gave such diligent and dynamic service to the Exiles’ cause has stepped down with Deely, a former Wexford footballer and London selector, an able replacement. “Paul has a good head on him, he has left Ciaran at it, he is very respectful that way. Ciaran knows his stuff, Ciaran does a lot with the underage too, so does Paddy Curtin, one of the selectors.
“If you think of any of the great coaches in the past few decades; Ferguson, Cruyuff, Guardiola all those boys were into youth development and rightly so. There is talent there in London to work with, it needs to be used.”
Five Connacht in a row confirm just how enterprising Mayo have been and McGreevy acknowledges a demanding 70 minutes awaits at a sold out Ruislip. “It is a difficult game, they are a good team. They've been playing against Division One teams these past few years and we are always obviously in Division Four.
“Even the top teams in Division Four that we have been playing against are a good few levels below the likes of Mayo. We will prepare as best as we can to give it our all. “
