Dublin manager Jim Gavin said there are still opportunities for his O’Byrne Cup players to breakthrough to the full senior squad after his charges beat Offaly 0-17 to 0-13 at Parnell Park last night.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Gavin said: “First and foremost I’m looking for character at this time of the season that’s what you’re looking for. The conditions were quite challenging, the temperature was low with strong winds and rain, and we got two competitive teams going hard at it.
“You’ve a blank canvas and we’re trying to fill slots for the national football league panel which won’t be decided until two weeks’ time.
“There’s still plenty of opportunities and already so early in the season we’re seeing players who’ve got the jersey really staking a claim for a place, not only the panel but a first team place also.
“That’s very pleasing from a management perspective to see that enthusiasm and attitude so early in the season.”
Even with his current “blank canvas”, Gavin has many experienced players with All-Ireland medals still to come back into the squad.
However, he added nobody is given guarantees.
“Each individual has to earn his place, what happened in the past is in the past" - Jim Gavin
“Each individual has to earn his place, what happened in the past is in the past. When a new season comes around for all management teams, each player needs to earn the right to be part of a squad that represents his county.
"That’s a great privilege and we don’t take it lightly.
“There’s always an expectation in Dublin for the team to challenge in any competition that it’s in, we embrace that expectation and use it to our advantage.”
However Gavin is expecting a full return to duty from his senior roster for the 2015 campaign.
“Denis Bastick and most of the senior players are back with us over the coming weeks. We’ve given a lot of them a good off season and we expect to see them back.”
Last night, Dublin came back from three points down at half-time, 0-10 to 0-07, to beat Pat Flanagan’s side, with Ballymun Kickham’s Dean Rock top scoring with nine points.
The in-form Rock followed on from his five-point haul against Maynooth on Sunday, when the Dubs ran out 1-12 to 0-05 winners over Maynooth University in their O’Byrne Cup opener at Parnell Park.
