Whelan will let play do talking

GAA/CHAMPIONSHIP 2003: Stand outside the Dublin football dressing-room in Croke Park on Sunday and you won't hear much shouting. No clattering of flying boots or fists crashing on the wall. At least, not before they play Laois. No guarantee what might happen afterwards.

When manager Tommy Lyons looked for a new Dublin captain this year he thought about leadership, presence, someone with real heart, and looked straight at Ciaran Whelan. Without doubt the most natural successor to Coman Goggins.

Yet talk to Whelan about the new responsibility and it becomes clear the captaincy has not changed his approach in any way. If he needs to inspire anyone it will always be on the playing field. And perhaps one of those locomotive runs from midfield that mightn't stop until the ball is bouncing somewhere in the net.

"Well no, I've never been a huge talker before games," he says. "I would say things individually to players if I thought they needed it, and obviously you have to do a bit more talking now as captain. But I'm definitely not into the shouting and roaring.

"So nothing in particular has changed in my role since last year. For me, it's all about when the ball is thrown in anyway. So if anything I just help get the guys mentally right before the game starts."

No one is reading too much into the Dublin performances of the Louth game last Sunday week, but it is clear that Whelan is ripe for his best season since making his debut back in 1996.

"I'd have to say last year was my best year so far, definitely with the consistency of the games, and even the consistency within games. But every year you learn from your mistakes, and hopefully I am a better player this year.

"A lot of theories came out of 2001, and what was going wrong," he continues. "But the game plan was for me to lorry forward every time I got the ball. And teams just copped on to that, and I would be in and out of games. But I think it was the game plan that went against me that year more than anything else."

What is sure to assist Whelan in reaching new heights this season, and especially on Sunday, is the more settled look of the current Dublin midfield. Darren Magee is in there not just for his quality of fielding, but also because he has the engine that best matches Whelan's. The sort of engine that if in a car would mean high insurance.

"It's not for me to say how good this midfield is. I've played with a couple of different players over the last few years, but I'd be happy with whoever is in there now. Darren Magee is playing very well, but Tom Mulligan can come in. And Darren Homan can in. So we have good depth now."

It is depth that Dublin will need on Sunday. Whelan can't talk about the upcoming tie without mentioning the huge step up in quality Laois are set to present compared to Dublin's opening game against Louth.

"I'd say Laois are perfectly prepared for this," he says. "They've had a long run and a lot of top-quality games and against top teams. So their match practice is certainly going to be up to scratch. But they're also a real quality side and it's going to be tough, tough game."

Whelan admits that Dublin, too, may lack a little edge, the sharpness that comes with having come up against daunting competition and prevailed.

"We've only had the one game, and it was dull in the end, and definitely without the heat of a championship battle.

"And we're not going to have Hill 16 to play into. And that is definitely is worth a few points. But we'll just get on with it. I'm sure Laois are happy it won't be there, and the advantage swings their way. But there's a good reason why it's not available so we've no complaints. And sure we'll still warm-up at the Hill 16 end."