AFTER a winter that saw their side rocked by high-profile departures, Dublin fans can rest assured Ciarán Kilkenny had no intention of joining the exodus.
Iconic midfielders Brian Fenton and James McCarthy both announced their retirements last November.
Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey also stepped away. The signs suggest that Michael Fitzsimons and John Small have signed off too.
But Kilkenny, 31, insisted: “I’m enjoying my football as much as ever and really loving it at the moment.”
Kilkenny landed the first of his eight All-Ireland medals when Jim Gavin steered Dublin to a one-point win over Mayo in 2013.
The Castleknock star and veteran goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton are the last men standing from that triumph. And while Cluxton returned from a two-year hiatus in 2023, Kilkenny’s service has remained unbroken.
Asked if he ever considered opting out, the primary school teacher said: “I suppose not really. I love it. I love playing and I suppose it’s a privilege and an honour for me to have the responsibility now.
“I always remember in my early days just respecting service to Dublin and service to the group and service to my team-mates.
“Just to be there, to contribute as much as I can as long as I’m adding value to Dublin and the team, I’ll be there because I love doing it.
“I love being part of the group. You get to learn so much within the group that helps you outside of your football career then as well.”
Kilkenny, who made his senior debut for Dublin in 2012, has started in all but one of their five National League games so far this season.
He added: “Going up to all the different grounds, especially in the league, which I think is a fantastic competition, and then to see other fans and the Dublin supporters there, there’s no better buzz or adrenalin or honour to go out and represent your club and county.
“For me, I love the responsibility of being that little bit older — it’s my 14th season — to be a mentor and a support for the younger players and try to impart any experience or wisdom I have to help them.”
To have lost the services of so many decorated stalwarts was undoubtedly a blow to Dublin boss Dessie Farrell.
But with established players such as Seán Bugler and youngsters such as Luke Breathnach showing up well, Kilkenny has been heartened by the manner of the reaction.
He said: “It’s created a really thriving, buzzing environment where everyone’s looking to grow, everyone’s looking to learn. Everyone in the group has a really good attitude and are keen to learn. That’s what you want.
“From other players, you have emerging leaders as well.
“Players that are in their mid-20s and they’re coming towards their prime, it’s an opportunity for them to come out of themselves and grow as players and grow as leaders as well.
“I’m very happy with where the group is, very happy with the league campaign for us collectively so far. There’s lots of scope for improvement in a lot of areas, which is exciting.
“It’s just about learning and reflecting and growing but we have put in some good performances as well and for a lot of young players, to transition into the starting XV and to come on and really impact the game would really encourage you for Dublin and the future in Dublin, so I’m delighted with that.”
IN CONTENTION
Thanks to wins over Mayo, Kerry and Derry, Dublin remain firmly in contention to reach the National League final.
Ahead of the final two rounds, the Sky Blues are two points adrift of Galway and Donegal.
However, while the Dubs will have an extra week to prepare for their Leinster SFC quarter-final against Wicklow or Longford, the desire of the Division 1 pace-setters to contest the decider could be compromised by the fact that their Championship campaigns are due to begin just seven days later.
But Kilkenny said: “There’s just a real buzz and excitement around the league and I’ve felt it’s been like that this year.
“I think it’s an unbelievable competition, I love playing in it. I love watching the games and, for us as a group, it’s something not to be sniffed at.
“But we still have two games left and we just have to put in a couple of good performances.
“The only thing I would say is to appreciate how good the competition is, I suppose.
“I know the northern teams are out the week after, they have games straight away the week after, and if we allowed a little bit of space there that they could fully commit to be competitive if they were to be in a final, I think that would be great because I think it’s a really good competition.”
TRIBE AGAIN
In the first meeting of the teams since Galway were victorious in last summer’s All-Ireland quarter-final, Dublin will host the Tribe tomorrow evening at Croke Park.
Despite being four points ahead when Kilkenny bagged his second of the game early in the second half, the All-Ireland champions saw their Sam Maguire defence brought to an end by a stunning revival from Pádraic Joyce’s men.
Six-time All-Star Kilkenny reflected: “As a sportsperson or anyone that’s a competitor or competing in any type of sport, when something like that happens — a big loss — for a couple of days you’re just down in the dumps and reflecting and you’re watching over every play.
“You’re going to bed and you’re thinking about every single play, you’re watching the game again and you’re just thinking about what if or if we didn’t turn that ball over or we didn’t do this. It’s just going around in your mind.
“For me, after that it’s just about getting a good break, getting out of the country.
“I went off on holidays to Croatia and Italy with a good friend of mine to get away for a break and a rest.
“That’s the beauty of sport — you never know what’s going to happen and Galway were the better team on the day.
“You go back with your club and you’re able to get back into it then. But it gives you great motivation going forward for the year to come.
“I’m absolutely really enjoying my football and excited for what’s to come. This is my 14th season and it only feels like yesterday was my first season. You just have to embrace the moment and enjoy it while you can.”
l CIARÁN KILKENNY was speaking in his role as an ambassador for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Tickets for the clash of Kansas State University and Iowa State University this August are on sale at Ticketmaster.ie.
