Dublin midfielder Michael Daragh Macauley has swapped the big ball for the basketball for the winter.
While Jim Gavin's Dublin were hammering UCD by 7-10 to 1-17 at the opening of Dave Billings Park. The 5-time All Ireland winner was shooting hoops with Eanna across campus.
Macauley played a part as Eanna went down 84-79 at the hands of UCD Marian.
Speaking on OfftheBall.com’s new weekday breakfast video show OTB:am. The Dublin midfielder told Oisin Langan why he's decided to sign up for the Super League:
“I’m doing it because I love to play basketball, obviously there are benefits, I’m flying fit and stuff but I’m doing it because I love playing basketball.
“I’ve been injury free now since July, the body is unbelievable at the moment so it’s all good. I’m really enjoying playing, that was my first game in a couple of years.
“It’s a different standard; I’ve been playing in the whole off season I’ve just been playing in a lower division but its good fun going up and playing Super League with the big boys.”
Dublin manager Jim Gavin was an interested spectator after he watched his Dublin side comfortably overcome UCD, Macauley didn’t spot the Dubs boss in the crowd, but was not surprised to learn he was in attendance.
Gavin is an admirer of basketball and has tried to use elements and skills of that game with his Dublin senior football team, he drafted in basketball coach Mark Ingle back in 2015 to help his players devise a possession based game plan in an attempt to break down blanket defences.
“Did he? I didn’t spot him,” Macauley said of Gavin’s appearance in the crowd at Belfield.
“A few of the lads came in to give me a big of grief for wearing the headband from the match, I didn’t see Jim. He’s a big fan of basketball, there are huge things that can sync over between the two. Jim is well aware of that.”
