Five of Dublin GAA’s greatest unsung football heroes

The Hill never sang these names.

Dublin football has always had its iconic figures. From Heffo to Jayo, the Hill has its favourites. But what about the boys in blue who also contributed to the success for the capitals finest but never got the credit? Ahead of this Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final clash with Mayo we've had a look to find five players we feel that were never fully appreciated by the heaving sea of blue in Croke Park. Jim Gavin Separating the manager from the player is almost impossible as Gavin has brought the same ice coolness he showed on the pitch to his sideline persona. Normally named as a wing forward, he was a sweeper before the term was even invented as he tackled and tracked the oppositions best player on numerous occasions. In a ten year career spanning 1992 to 2002 it was surprising that he only claimed one-All-Ireland medal but his influence in football, as well as Dublin, was huge. Not a flashy player, he did the simple things right and made the right things look simple as he was content to play the silent partner to the loud voices of Charlie Redmond, Keith Barr and an emerging Jason Sherlock. Dublin received twelve All-Star nominations in 1995. Gavin was not among them. Dessie Farrell Farrell's misfortune was to come to the fore at a time when the Dublin football team lacked the consistency to challenge in late August and September. He ploughed an almost lone furrow after 1995 as one of the county's best forwards who was always a danger but lacked the support of a team that disintegrated after their first All-Ireland success in twelve years. Centre forward in 1995, he thrived in the additional space afforded to him as he played the role that Diarmuid Connolly now operates in for Jim Gavin. https://youtu.be/C6wBt_4y_VY A wonderfully balanced player, his role as the head of the GPA has probably blinded some to his wonderful football ability. Played his best in his later career he excelled on the biggest days that were all too seldom under Tommy Carr. Kevin McManamon This may seem like a strange choice for many but let us explain. After all he only kicked the all important goal against Kerry in the 2011 final and scored the vital goal against the Kingdom two years later in an epic All-Ireland semi final. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B8yqLAX7iE But he's never managed to get that regular place on the team and his stock within the squad has risen and fallen over the years. He's seen as the 'super-sub' that is good for a goal bit not worth a starting place. The man is clearly loved by Dublin supporters but he's not seen in the same class as a Bernard Brogan or a Paul Flynn which is a massive shame. Coman Goggins  It may seem odd to Dublin supporters now who are taking Leinster titles for granted now but there was a time when the county had to battle at least three other counties for provincial honours. Goggins was just among a handful of Dublin players to get his hands on a provincial title as captain in 2002, but in a county starved of success at the time a Leinster title was never going to be enough. The All-Star was a fine player but when compared to the other wing backs of his time period lacked the swashbuckling panache of a Tomas Ó Sé or a Sean óg de Paor. https://twitter.com/RoyCurtis68/status/622798355786280960 The Ballinteer St John's man was the first from his club to play for the county, but despite being Dublin's only all-star in 2001 he played on side that lurched from one style to another under Tommy Carr, Tommy Lyons and then 'Piller' Caffrey. Shane Ryan Dublin don't produce dual players very often and usually their status among GAA fans is diluted between both sets of supporters who for many in the capital are almost two entirely separate breeds. One-All-star award in his last season with the footballers in 2008  seems scant reward for a man who won a Leinster hurling medal under Anthony Daly in 2011. Ryan's versatility as a defender and forward counted against him in his career and playing alongside working alongside Ciaran Whelan at midfield probably didn't help either. A supreme athlete from one of the most famous Dublin GAA family's and also a bit of an actor as this Anchorman parody suggests https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR3JPM4l-HQ