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Jack McCaffrey

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Irish Gaelic football player

Jack McCaffrey
Personal information
Irish name Seán Mac Gafraidh
Sport Gaelic football
Position Left half-back
Born (1993-10-19) 19 October 1993 (age 31)
Dublin, Ireland
Height 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Nickname Dart from Clontarf
Occupation Doctor
Club(s)
Years Club
Clontarf
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
2013–present Dublin 40 (4–17)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 8
All-Irelands 6
NFL 3
All Stars 4

Jack McCaffrey (born 19 October 1993) is a Gaelic footballer who plays for Clontarf.

Early and personal life

His father Noel also represented Dublin in football. McCaffrey attended Belvedere College private school and studied medicine at University College Dublin (UCD) and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery & Bachelor in the Art of Obstetrics. His classmates included Mark English, considered by Jerry Kiernan to be the country's "greatest talent" ever in middle-distance running. English issued a challenge to McCaffrey, himself considered football's fastest player, to take him on over 100 metres.

McCaffrey is a qualified medical doctor. He works in Temple Street Children's Hospital.

He is an opponent of professionalism within the GAA.

Playing career

In April 2013, McCaffrey won a National Football League winners' medal as Dublin defeated Tyrone by 0–18 to 0–17 to win the 2013 National Football League. He made his championship debut against Westmeath in the 2013 Leinster Senior Football Championship. He scored a solo goal in the 2013 All-Ireland quarter-final against Cork. Still teenaged, he played in the 2013 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, the first such final he would play in. McCaffrey, who was substituted at half-time, recalled how he "got roasted by Kevin McLoughlin". He played twice and netted for Ireland against Australia in the 2013 International Rules Series. In November 2013, he was named as GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year.

In November 2015, McCaffrey received the highest individual honour in the sport when he was named as GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year. He did so in spite of contracting food poisoning "in around the Thursday" before the 2015 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final, which left him unable to finish the game. "I couldn't keep any food or water down so I got a drip to stay hydrated. But that was actually great at the time because it completely distracted from the build-up to a final ... all you were worried about is, 'Am I going to be okay?' You're no thinking about the occasion itself. And then thankfully I pulled through and performed okay for the 50 minutes that I lasted".

McCaffrey missed the 2016 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship due his travels abroad. He travelled to Ethiopia, then Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania.

In December 2016, McCaffrey confirmed that he would be available again for selection in 2017.

McCaffrey played in that year's All-Ireland final win but left the pitch early after sustaining what later proved to be an anterior cruciate ligament injury. His antics later in the evening as Michael Lyster interviewed Jim Gavin and Stephen Cluxton were much remarked upon. A month after the final, McCaffrey had surgery.

McCaffrey returned for Dublin against Longford as a substitute in June 2018. Another substitute appearance in the Leinster final against Laois followed, seeing him make two goal chances by himself. However, he did not find the net in that game.

He is a former self-admitted "horrific tackler" but the 2018 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final proved to be when he "figured out I'm actually a defender as opposed to some loose attacking player". His dispossession of Mattie Donnelly during injury time of that game offered evidence of this.

McCaffrey was named Man of the Match after his team's 2018 final victory. While being interviewed by Lyster for The Sunday Game highlights programme, a leak through the ceiling of the Gibson Hotel caused Lyster, McCaffrey and GAA President John Horan to be drenched in water live on air.

Interviewed the following day by journalists, McCaffrey reminded them: "This was the first time I've been on the pitch when the final whistle blew in an All-Ireland final. Incredible. It was so satisfying, such a relief."

Another All Star followed, as did a second Footballer of the Year nomination.

McCaffrey won the man of the match award in the drawn 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final as well; a second consecutive award, "RTÉ veterans" were reported to be finding it difficult to recall such an occurrence ever before. He was top scorer (1–3) from open play. This compared with the 3–14 from his previous 38 championship games. The three points were also a classic hat-trick, sent over with fist and both feet. Defensively, he forced eight turnovers of possession.

McCaffrey left the Dublin panel ahead of the 2020 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. He later described the drawn 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final as the game that "broke me" but decided initially to remain when his former minor and under-21 manager Dessie Farrell was appointed as Jim Gavin's successor.

Honours

Team

Individual

References

  1. ^ Roche, Frank (14 September 2019). "'Dart from Clontarf' arrives on time for Blues' final destination". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  2. Verney, Michael (1 September 2018). "Blistering pace, Simpsons references and keepy-uppies: Jack McCaffrey is no ordinary footballer". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 1 September 2018. Having followed in his father Noel's footsteps to represent the Dubs, his inter-county stock has always been high but All-Ireland final day hasn't exactly been a happy hunting ground for McCaffrey.
  3. McNulty, Chris (6 March 2019). "Jerry Kiernan says Mark English is the 'greatest ever' talent in Irish middle-distance running".
  4. "English challenges McCaffrey to race". Hogan Stand. 19 June 2014.
  5. ^ "'What broke me was the drawn final' - Jack McCaffrey opens up on decision to quit Dublin panel". Irish Independent. 9 December 2020.
  6. "Professionalism would destroy the GAA - Jack McCaffrey". Hogan Stand. 29 May 2020.
  7. Breheny, Martin (28 April 2013). "Supersub Rock breaks Tyrone hearts in epic final". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  8. "Dublin 0-18 Tyrone 0-17". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  9. O'Brien, Brendan (28 April 2013). "Dubs show their depth as fringe men shine". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  10. "Dublin 0-18 0-17 Tyrone". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  11. "Dublin boss names four debutants for Westmeath clash". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  12. Potts, Seán. "Blue Wave begins". Decades of the Dubs: 2010–2014. The Herald. p. 5. No goals were conceded this time in the Leinster final clash with Meath as Dublin progressed comfortably before avenging previous setbacks to Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-final, Jack McCaffrey finishing a spectacular solo effort to the net.
  13. "Ireland 57-35 Australia". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  14. "Ireland 116-37 Australia". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  15. "MDMA and Tony Kelly scoop top gongs at GAA GPA All Star Awards". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  16. "Footballer of the Year Jack McCaffrey heaps praise on 'unbelievable' Jim Gavin". RTÉ Sport. RTÉ. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  17. "Confirmed: Jack McCaffrey to miss Dublin's All Ireland title defence". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  18. "'I'm going to be around for the next year and a half at least': Jack McCaffrey ready to rejoin Dublin in 2017". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  19. ^ "WATCH: Dublin's Jack McCaffrey steals the show again as unexpected water deluge interrupts Man of the Match presentation". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 2 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  20. O'Toole, Fintan (3 September 2018). "Man-of-the-match, working in paediatrics, cruciate comeback and Dublin glory". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  21. "Jack McCaffrey leaves Dublin panel ahead of 2020 Championship, reports". The Irish Times. 27 June 2020.
  22. "'The fun had gone out of the whole thing' - Jack McCaffrey on his Dublin departure". Hogan Stand. 9 December 2020.
  23. "Jack McCaffrey joins the Bernard Brogan Podcast". Off the Ball. 9 December 2020.
  24. Keys, Colm (3 September 2019). "McCaffrey gets 'man of match' award away from cameras". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  25. "Jack McCaffrey". UCD Alumni Awards. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
Achievements
Preceded byFiontán Ó Curraoin
(Galway)
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Final
winning captain

2014
Succeeded byKieran McGeary
(Tyrone)
Awards
Preceded byCillian O'Connor
(Mayo)
GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year
2013
Succeeded byRyan McHugh
(Donegal)
Preceded byJames O'Donoghue
(Kerry)
GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year
2015
Succeeded byLee Keegan
(Mayo)
Preceded byJames McCarthy
(Dublin)
All-Ireland Senior Football Final
Man of the Match

2018, 2019 (drawn game)
Succeeded byCiarán Kilkenny
(Dublin)
Dublin squads
Dublin – 2011 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship runners-up
Subs used
D. Campbell for C. Meaney
D. Byrne for G. Hannigan
N. Scully for S. Fulham
Manager
D. Farrell
Selector
N. McCaffrey
Dublin – 2012 All-Ireland Under 21 Football Champions (3rd title)
Subs used
P. Maguire for Schutte
G. Seaver for Byrne
H. Dawson for Ryan
P. O'Higgins for Reddin
P. Mannion for Hudson
Manager
J. Gavin
Selectors
S. O'Hanlon
Dublin – 2013 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (24th title)
Subs used
25 E. O'Gara for Mannion
20 D. Daly for McCaffrey
26 D. Rock for Kilkenny
22 K. McManamon for Andrews
17 D. Bastick for Cooper
Subs not used
16 S. Supple
18 S. Carthy
19 B. Cullen
21 M. Fitzsimons
23 K. Nolan
24 K. O'Brien
Manager
J. Gavin
Selectors
D. Byrne
D. Darcy
M. Deegan
S. O'Hanlon

(Team on 22 September 2013)

Dublin – 2014 All-Ireland Under 21 Football Champions (4th title)
Subs used
11 E. Ó Conghaile for Byrne
24 G. Hannigan for Boland
22 G. Ivory for O'Higgins
21 S. Cunningham for Costello
12 N. Walsh for Mannion
Manager
D. Farrell
Dublin – 2015 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (25th title)
Subs used
25 K. McManamon for Rock
24 M. D. MacAuley for Bastick
22 M. Fitzsimons for Cooper
26 J. Small for McCaffrey
21 D. Daly for O'Sullivan
18 A. Brogan for Fenton
Subs not used
16 M. Savage
17 T. Brady
19 D. Byrne
20 C. Costello
23 E. Lowndes
Manager
J. Gavin
Selectors
S. O'Hanlon
Dublin – 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (27th title)
Subs used
22 P. Flynn for J. McCaffrey
19 D. Connolly for P. Andrews
25 K. McManamon for E. O'Gara
17 B. Brogan for P. Flynn
12 N. Scully for C. O'Callaghan
20 C. Costello for P. Mannion
Subs not used
16 E. Comerford
18 D. Byrne
21 D. Daly
23 E. Lowndes
24 M. D. MacAuley
Manager
J. Gavin
Selectors
S. O'Hanlon
D. Darcy
M. Deegan
D. Byrne
Dublin – 2018 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (28th title)
Subs used
21 M. Fitzsimons for O'Sullivan
19 C. Costello for Scully
20 D. Daly for Murchan
25 K. McManamon for Mannion
23 E. Lowndes for Cooper
24 M. D. MacAuley for Rock
Subs not used
16 E. Comerford
17 P. Andrews
18 C. Basquel
22 P. Flynn
26 E. O'Gara
Manager
J. Gavin
Selectors
S. O'Hanlon
D. Darcy
J. Sherlock
Dublin – 2019 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (29th title)
Subs used in replay
19 D. Connolly for J. McCaffrey
22 P. McMahon for E. Murchan
20 C. Costello for N. Scully
25 C. O'Sullivan for D. Byrne
23 K. McManamon for P. Mannion
9 M. D. MacAuley for B. Howard
Subs not used in replay
16 E. Comerford
17 P. Andrews
18 B. Brogan
21 E. Lowndes
26 P. Small
Manager
J. Gavin
Selectors
S. O'Hanlon
D. Darcy
J. Sherlock
Dublin – 2023 All-Ireland Senior Football Champions (31st title)
Subs used
21 J. McCaffrey for L. Gannon
12 N. Scully for C. Costello
20 S. McMahon for B. Howard
23 C. Murphy for E. Murchan
26 D. Rock for P. Small
Subs not used
16 E. Comerford
17 R. Basquel
19 T. Lahiff
22 R. McGarry
24 D. Newcombe
25 L. O'Dell
Manager
D. Farrell
Selectors
P. Gilroy
D. Daly
B. O'Regan
Logistics manager
S. O'Hanlon
Ireland squads
Ireland football team2013 International Rules Series
Coach
Earley
Ireland football team2015 International Rules Series
Manager
Kernan
Awards
2016 Higher Education GAA Rising Stars Football Team
2017 Higher Education GAA Rising Stars Football Team
2015 All Star Gaelic Football Team
2017 All Star Gaelic Football Team
2018 All Star Gaelic Football Team
2019 All Star Gaelic Football Team
GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year
GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final – Man of the Match
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