McCarthy backs Paddy Small to make step up

James McCarthy says "it's only a matter of time" before Ballymun Kickhams' team-mate Paddy Small joins him on the Dublin panel.

Five-time All-Ireland winner McCarthy will be part of the Ballymun Kickhams' side that take on defending title champions St Vincent's in Monday's Dublin SFC final at Parnell Park, a match which will be shown live on eir Sport 2 [throw-in 7pm].

McCarthy, Small's brother John, Philly McMahon and Dean Rock all started Dublin's All-Ireland victory over Mayo at Croke Park on 17 September, while Evan Comerford was on the bench as cover for goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.

And McCarthy, who was named the PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Month for September following his man-of-the-match performance in the All-Ireland final, expects the younger Small brother to soon join him in Jim Gavin's Sky Blues' panel.

"He hasn't been in there [with the Dublin seniors] yet but, to be honest, it's only a matter of time really," the 27-year-old right half back told the AIB GAA blog.

"He's brilliant, he really is. Top class.

"He's seen John going so well in the last couple of years and Paddy probably wants a bit of that himself. 

"He's only 19, he has years ahead of him. He's very keen and hopefully he's shown enough to prove he's worth a shout."

McCarthy expects Monday's final to be "tight, tough and tense", with Vinnies looking to claim back-back titles and Ballymun seeking just their second Dublin title in 32 years.

"I suppose there will be plenty of good football as well," McCarthy added.

"Both teams like to have a go and I don't think it will be blanket defences or anything like that. 

"It would be tough and tight. But man-to-man football a lot of the time and that should be interesting.

 "Hopefully we can push on. St Vincent's are in, what, five finals in a row now? They'll be a hard team to dislodge."

Missing the Championship already? eir Sport will broadcast up to 30 games from the GAA Football and Hurling Club Championships in 2017, including the Dublin club football championship final between Ballymun Kickhams and reigning Dublin champions St Vincent's from Parnell Park on Bank Holiday Monday, 30 October, which will be shown live on eir Sport 2 [throw-in 7pm].

And for hurling fans, eir Sport are showing the Dublin club hurling championship final between reigning All-Ireland club champions Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes from Parnell Park on Saturday, 28 October, live on eir Sport 2 [throw-in 3.30pm].

Image: Inpho/Tommy Dickson

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