Echo Sports Awards 2019: The Echo salutes work of Bohan and Gavin
IN RECOGNITION of their massive impact on the inter-county football front this year, Dublin Ladies Football team manager Mick Bohan and former Dublin Senior Men’s boss, Jim Gavin shared the title of ‘The Echo Manager of the Year’ at Thursday night’s gala in the Green Isle Hotel.
In what was a historic weekend for Dublin GAA, the ladies landed the All-Ireland crown for a third straight year while the men captured their equivalent for a first ever five-in-a-row.
‘The Echo 2019 Manager of the Year’ Award winners, Mick Bohan and Jim Gavin with newly-crowned Tallaght Person of the Year, Lee Moroney. (Photos by Paddy Barrett)
Praising the attitude of his Dublin team, Bohan said, after receiving his award, “It’s not been so much about the medals and trophies for these players, but it’s about playing to the highest level and showing just what they are capable of. There’s something refreshing about that.
“When you look at the three-in-a-row, I was delighted for the players, but particularly for the players who had lost the previous three finals, that they were able to come back and reverse that.
“Some people say to me that the [Dublin] lads doing so well has taken away some of the limelight from what the ladies have achieved, but I think that it’s incredible that the two groups, side by side, have been so successful at the same time.
“This period of history in Dublin GAA, and I’m not saying it’s over yet, is one that we’ll never forget” he insisted.
Gavin, who recently announced that he was stepping down from the Dubliner managerial post, said of his time at the helm “It’s been an incredible journey. I’m just so fortunate in the clubs that we have in Dublin. We’ve got over 90 clubs and the work that is being done in developing players.
“I’m just fortunate to have worked with and coached a unique group of men.
“I gave as much as I could for as long as I could and I’m just delighted that Dessie [Farrell] now is taking over and he’ll do a fantastic job.
“There’s a great culture, a great humility about the players. That’s the first thing I’ll say about them.
“Mick and myself had the good fortune to coach a team back in 2010, the likes of Johnny Cooper and those guys. They’re just so humble. They understand that there are no guarantees in life, no guarantees in sport. You’ve got to earn your success.
“And I know those guys are very determined to represent their clubs and communities. I’m a Round Tower’s man, I was very proud to represent Clondalkin and South County Dublin when I managed and I know that’s all the players are doing. They’re just trying to be their best representing their communities and the great county they have in Dublin.
“It’s been a phenomenal year for Dublin GAA, Mick winning the three-in-row with the ladies and the senior guys doing five. It’s been a phenomenal year for Dublin clubs.
“If I’m going to miss anything, I’m going to miss the phenomenal support that I’ve received and the team have received from the Dublin fans. They’ve been phenomenal, not only in Croke Park and Hill 16, but also when you travel throughout the country. They’re always there before and after games.
“You meet them on the streets, encouraging guys. They’re so proud of what the players do and the players are so proud to represent Dublin and the people of Dublin” he said.
For Bohan, the success of his Dublin ladies team and the growing audience for ladies football in general is part of a bigger issue in sport.
“Our kids growing up need role models, both male and female, that they can identify with” he insisted
“With so many kids and, particularly girls, inactive, they need to know that there are openings in sport, that there are life lessons to be learnt there. The youth need it. And young girls need to have female sports stars to look up to and our players are among those that they can.
“We’re seeing that also in boxing and soccer. To have those athletes there for them to look up to is so important” he stressed.
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