Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Brian Phelan | David O'Callaghan | JJ Delaney | Pádraic Maher | Shane McGrath
Last year, David O’Callaghan was one of the top-scorers in the Championship, after he committed to the hurling set-up following three successful seasons with the Dublin footballers. He played a major part in the Dubs fantastic National League campaign and now the ace attacker is looking forward to the Championship.
At underage level, the St Mark’s club man played both hurling and football with his county, but from 2005 to 2007 he opted to play with Paul Caffrey’s team. His return to the men of the ash was a major boost, giving the Dubs some options up front. The future looks bright for The Metropolitans and with Anthony Daly now in charge he is developing a nice brand of hurling. With O’Callaghan on form and some great young players coming through they will fancy their chances when they meet Antrim in the first round of the Leister Championship at the start of June, and no doubt the Hill will be cheering on their new heroes.
What’s it like being so young and still being one of the more experienced players on this Dublin side?
Well really I’m only back on the panel a year but still looking at how young it is I am one of the older players. All I can do is try to lead by example in training and give every bit of help in terms of knowledge to the younger lads.
What do you make of taking on Antrim in their first season in Leinster?
With Galway and Antrim in it, it will be a lot more competitive and there will be nothing easy in Leinster. Still all we can do is just focus on Antrim and do our best.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
I’ve won a few provincial titles with Dublin and the Leinster Colleges with the schools, but of course I still hope the best is yet to come.
Which is the toughest team you have faced?
This year we played Clare in Parnell Park in a game they needed to win to stay up in Division 1. It was a very tough physical game, and we were lucky to come away with a draw.
Who was your toughest ever opponent?
I’d say Niall Corcoran here with us in Dublin. He’s very sticky corner-back in training and is a tough man to see off.
Which players do you admire the most?
Once again, if I can stay within the Dublin set-up, there are lots of the younger players that have great skill. I suppose Ronan Fallon at centre-back would be one. He is out injured but he is a great commanding presence at centre-back.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
Brian Corcoran of Cork is one I always likes when I was younger, I thought he was a brilliant hurler. DJ Carey is another who I used to always like watching. They would have been my two favourites.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for St Marks of Tallaght so any of the other clubs in the area would be big rivals. I’d say overall Thomas Davis would be the main one.
What’s the most important skill in your opinion?
In hurling, the first touch has to be the most crucial. The better it is the better chance you have of winning the ball and getting the shot away.
What advice would you give to young players coming through the ranks?
Take on everything that your coaches and mentors are telling you. Practise the skills as much as you can, so it becomes very natural and like second nature in a match.
Name: David O’Callaghan
Age: 25
Team: Dublin
Debut: 2004 v Westmeath
Position: Corner-Forward
Honours:
2 Leinster Senior Football titles,
1 Leinster Minor Football title,
1 Leinster Colleges A Hurling title,
1 Dublin Intermediate Hurling title.
Club: St Marks Tallaght
Fav food: Chicken and Pasta
Fav book: Hurling the Revolutionary Years
Fav band: Queen
Fav movie: Braveheart
Fav TV: Prison Break
Hobbies: All sports
Occupation: Student
CúlFACT
David was the joint second highest scorer in last year’s Championship with a total of 2 goals and 33 points. He was in good company as he was second only to Tipp super star Eoin Kelly and shared the second spot with the the young master Joe Canning. |
