UCD boss John Divilly backs Darren Gavin for Dublin midfield berth
"If he doesn't nestle in beside Brian Fenton this year, I've no doubt in the next two or three years that he'll be a big prospect for Jim Gavin."
Thursday 31 January 2019 16:27, UK
UCD manager John Divilly has backed Darren Gavin to break into the Dublin senior team after the midfielder impressed in the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup.
The Belfield side were too strong for DIT on Wednesday evening, winning 3-14 to 0-6.
UCD boss Divilly reserved special praise for midfielder Gavin after the game.
"It's Darren's first year playing Sigerson," he said. "We have seven guys there playing tonight, it's their first time playing Sigerson.
"Darren is an exciting player, his dad (Fergal) is from Galway, would have played in 1998 for Galway and years before that. I think he's a big prospect for Dublin, Darren Gavin this year. If he doesn't nestle in beside Brian Fenton this year, I've no doubt in the next two or three years that he'll be a big prospect for Jim Gavin."
The Lucan Sarsfields club man was part of the Sky Blues side that won the 2017 All-Ireland title, and featured in the O'Byrne Cup squad this season.
UCD have set up a quarter-final showdown with DCU Dóchas Éireann, who boast intercounty talent such as Dara McVeety, Micheál Bannigan and Brian Reape, with Dublin's Evan Comerford between the sticks.
Divilly knows they will have to keep a close eye on Reape in particular, who scored a crucial goal for James Horan's Mayo on his league debut last weekend.
"DCU is massive," explained Divilly. "We've a huge rivalry there. They've a good team as always. Brian Reape is going to be a big player for everyone in the country to watch this year. I'm looking forward to seeing can our defenders can stop him scoring goals."
After Wednesday's 17-point win, UCD are hot favourites to defend their Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup crown, and with so many star names within their ranks, it's not difficult to see why.
