Clontarf’s Jack McCaffrey adds the PwC GAA/GPA Award to his growing list of achievements
This afternoon the PwC GAA/GPA honoured both the Senior Hurler and Senior Footballer Players Of The All Ireland Finals.
Limerick’s Kyle Hayes was awarded the Hurling Player Of The All Ireland Final. Hayes produced a match-winning performance to lead his side to their first All-Ireland Hurling title since 1973. He was the hurling final’s Man of the Match. And he’s also nominated for a PwC All-Star and the PwC Young hurler of the Year.
But it’s Dublin and Clontarf’s Jack McCaffrey who picked up the Football Player Of The All Ireland Final. Like Hayes, Jack is shortlisted for a PwC All Star Award. And of course is one of three Dublin players nominated for this year’s PwC Footballer Of The Year. He’ll have stiff competition from team mates Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Fenton. But after the last twelve months, we’re sure Jack is just happy to be in good company.
2017 All Ireland Heartache
Minutes into the 2017 All Ireland Football Final between Dublin and Mayo, Jack went to ground and damaged his ACL, ending his All Ireland Final day prematurely. Twelve months later, after a long and lonely recovery, it was the smile on McCaffrey’s face as he took his place in the pre match parade that will be a lasting memory for most Dublin fans. But his performances since his return have lifted the Clontarf footballer to new heights, somewhere no one could have believed possible.
“There were very few fun moments coming back from the cruciate injury. It was a slog.” he told the42.ie
“But what I always refer to like that, is when you’re out playing football with your friends, it’s the definition of fun.”
“It’s literally what you would have done as a kid, hanging out. You go out and just kick a ball around. I think that’s something that we as a group have never really lost sight of, and are conscious of enjoying our time in Dublin jerseys.”
McCaffrey’s Legacy continues to grow
Jack found his feet, literally, as an All Ireland winner with the Dublin U21’s in 2012, and captained that team in 2014 when they reclaimed the title. A year before that McCaffrey got his first taste of Senior success, winning League, Leinster and All Ireland medals. And to top that he was voted Young Player Of The Year.
In 2015 he went one better. He collected the three major medals, was named the RTE Sunday Game Player Of The Year and the GAA/GPA Player Of The Year, grabbing his first All Star to boot.
This time around, Jack thinks the big award will go to one of his Dublin colleagues.
“You don’t go out thinking, if I play well here this might happen. You go out trying to do your best for the team, and anything that comes after that, it’s a bonus.”
“It’s a massive honour to be nominated, but I think that award is between the two lads, and fairly justifiably so. May the best man win.”
