John Small
By John Harrington
Dublin footballer John Small is just as no-nonsense off the pitch as he is on it.
When you ask for his thoughts on Sunday’s Allianz Football League Final against Galway they’re to the point, with no unnecessary embellishments or flights of fancy.
“Galway are very good,” Small told GAA.ie. “There’s a lot of expectation on them and they’ve justified it in the Allianz League so far.
“They’ve a lot of good players. Some really forwards, the likes of Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, (Barry) McHugh, (Eamon) Brannigan and these guys.
“Defensively they’ve some really good players as well. They’ve only conceded one goal in the League campaign so far, so we’re very excited about the challenge on Sunday.”
When Galway and Dublin met in Salthill two weeks ago they produced a ferociously contested match that ended all square.
It was a very hard-hitting match with no quarter asked for or given on either side, and that suited Small just fine.
He’s the sort of player who relishes putting his body in where it hurts, and it’s rare to see him come off best in a test of strength and determination.
“It was a good, tough physical game,” said Small. “Whether it’s physical or open, we’re happy to take it whatever way it comes and just try to stamp our philosophy and traditional style of football on it.
“I like the physicality side of it alright. But I like playing open football too. I’m happy to take it whatever way it comes and just do the best I can.”
Dublin v Mayo - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Final
Small and Dublin come into Sunday’s Final in the unusual position of having lost their previous match.
Incredibly, last weekend’s defeat to Monaghan was only the second competitive match that Small has lost since making his League debut for Dublin back in 2015.
The first match was actually that very debut when Cork defeated Dublin in the first round of the League that year.
They haven’t lost consecutive matches in the League or Championship since the 2012 Allianz League campaign, and won’t be in the mood to see that statistic altered on Sunday.
Not that they need any extra motivation with a League title on the line, but the unfamiliar sting of that defeat to Monaghan could only act as more grist for their mill.
“There’s loads of room for improvement,” said Small. “I think from our perspective, the kick-passing was a bit off.
“So we’ve a lot of work to do there this week ahead of Sunday’s match against Galway.
“It’s great to get that bit of tin if you can. But we just focus on our performance, go after that, and see where it takes us.”
