Hugh Gill, St Vincent's vice-captain relieved to be over injury setbacks.

St Vincent's vice-captain, Hugh Gill.

Hugh Gill tasted All Ireland Club Football glory with St Vincents in 2008. The fresh faced defender who was just out of minor sampled the fruits of the ultimate prize in club football without maybe fully realising the enormity of the achievement. Now, as the current vice-captain, Gill, recalls his experience six years ago.

“I was pretty fresh faced when we won it in 2008. I was only out of playing Minor football and it came pretty quickly but it was a brilliant feeling and a great experience. Although, I think it kind of went over my head because it came so quick I thought it was going to come every year.”

The 25 year old has suffered with some serious injuries over the past few years but he is now focused on bringing the Andy Merrigan Cup back to St Vincents for a second time in his career.

“I had a tough couple of years with injuries but thankfully I’m back in contention, playing football and most importantly, I’m enjoying it.”

The gut wrenching experience of losing to Ballymun Kickams in the previous Dublin championship campaign only intensified this Vincents team’s desire to get the job done this season, according to Gill.

“When Tommy Conroy took over, we sat down and we had a target of winning the Dublin Senior Football Championship. The first year we came very close. We lost to Ballymun Kickhams in the quarter final of Dublin by a point. We had about 18 wides that day and they went on to an All Ireland Club final so we knew we were close. That loss put a lot of hunger into the team. People realised how close we were to doing something special last year so we knew we just had to keep working hard and it should eventually come.”

Hugh Gill embraces club teammate, goalkeeper, Michael Savage,

The efforts of Mossy Quinn have been appreciated by the whole panel. Hugh Gill admits that “it gives everyone a lift when you see your corner forward chasing back and doing some dirty work. As a defender it gives you such a lift and such motivation when you see a forward dispossessing someone. It makes you want to go and do the exact same thing. It comes down to the trust we have in each other. Mossy leads by example and gets everyone going.”

The talented corner back is keen to stress at every opportunity that his side’s strong and united squad mentality is their biggest asset.

"We played most of the league without our inter-county players. We were used to playing without them. If they were fit to come in then it was obviously a bonus but if they weren't it wasn't a big deal. Mossy Quinn cracked a joke in the dressing room after Ger Brennan was sent off in the match against St Lomans when he said that we were back to our best team now. It shows you the strength we have in the entire panel. I think there are 35 lads here now and any sub that’s ever come on has improved the team".

S.DAWSON 18/03/14