High-flying Jim Gavin braced for turbulence in Dublin's championship journey

As Dublin embark upon their journey to what would be an unprecedented fifth All-Ireland title in a row, manager Jim Gavin is hoping for a smooth flight.

The Sky Blues are on the cusp of history, and as they aim to soar to new heights, there is a calming figure at the wheel.

"This was my home. I know this place intimately," smiles Gavin, as he sits at the launch of the Leinster Championship in the Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel. The Dubs boss flew aircraft at the base for 18 years, living onsite for six of those.

The job quickly became a passion.

"My time in Óglaigh na hÉireann has served me well," he continues. "They really looked after me; they trained me really well, gave me great opportunities to travel the world, both flying and on the ground with UN missions overseas.

"It was a fantastic career.

"I'm still in aviation with the Irish Aviation Authority, I've a passion for aviation, I wouldn't see it as a job, I'm lucky that way."

The career path helped to shape the Round Towers club man, and he has brought the learnings to his role as an intercounty football manager.

While most are predicting minimal turbulence for the Dubs in the Leinster Championship over the coming weeks, it is in Gavin's nature to take nothing for granted.

"The cadet school, the officer training and aviation itself has had a big influence on me," he explains.

"Even in the context of this year [2019 championship]. In aviation, there are no guarantees. Commercial air transport is a very safe industry, but it has become so safe because we have learned from the failures and the incidents and accidents from the past."

The manner in which Dublin bounced back from their 2014 defeat to Donegal immediately springs to mind.

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"After each flight you'd have a review of it," he continues. "I was a chief flight instructor for over six years. You're in the business of creating an environment where student pilots can excel.

"There is lots of learning along the way, lots of reviewing. It's a process-driven industry. That has informed me to be very process driven in terms of the performance of sport.

"There's a good open mindset, culture, within the aviation sector. There's a just culture which accepts that humans make mistakes, so I understand that air traffic controllers, engineers, pilots, cabin crew, baggage handlers, people in the aviation security sector, humans make mistakes and it's our job in the industry to try and find the root cause of it.

"Learn the lessons and embrace that vulnerability and make ourselves stronger.

"Coming out of the National League, the learning from that was, if we don't perform to our very best we'll end up fourth in the league as we did. And we deserved to be there."

Based on the springtime campaign, it is being forecast that while the first half of Dublin's summer flight will be plain sailing, it could get bumpy as they attempt to reach their destination.

"It's no secret that coming out of the National Football League there is quality sides there evolving every season," notes Gavin.

"From Kerry blazing a trail to Tyrone playing a more offensive, attacking game, to the consistency of Mayo being deservedly National Football League winners for 2019."

As the capital concorde prepares for take-off on its 2019 summer journey, they'll hit the runway on Saturday evening when they take on Louth in O'Moore Park.

"We've no business looking beyond our horizon on May 25," he states. "That's where it's at. Whether that's my aviation history influencing, bearing upon me, I don't know. All I'm driven towards - and the players will tell you that - is the 25th of May.

"In the pilot game you are trading off your preparation. For every flight. There are no guarantees that you get from your departure airfield to your destination. You've planned for it. You've trained for it. You're in the 'sim' (simulator) every six months. You do all your checks and your processes and procedures. You're planning to get there but sometimes you need to adapt as the flight evolves."

Sky Sports' live GAA coverage continues on Saturday, May 25 as Mayo face Roscommon in the Connacht Football Championship on Sky Sports Arena from 7pm, with build-up starting on the red button from 6pm.

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