He will go down in history as the legendary five-in-a-row Dubs manager, but Jim Gavin ranks his All-Ireland wins as a player among his most memorable GAA moments.
The former Blues boss, who led his team to six Sam Maguire wins between 2013 and 2019, is hard pressed when asked for his sporting career highlights.
He told Irish Sunday Mirror: “My fondest memories looking back were definitely as a player.
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“One of my highlights was playing my first final in 1993, playing against Donegal in the old Croke Park, I would have been 21 years of age.
“Playing to a full house in Croke Park back then which was 60,000 people, and we beat Donegal.
“And obviously winning the All Ireland in 1995 as a player – they are the two great memories for me.
“Then just the journey with the Dublin team as manager, that is the third highlight.
“Being on that journey for 13 years, it was just a unique experience for me.
“It was such a privilege to be given that opportunity.”
The 51-year-old, who stepped down as manager in October 2019, added: “I’m not sorry that it’s over, I’m just happy to have had that opportunity.
“They are memories that will live with me – not only getting to know the players, but getting to know their families and their kids.
“I got to know the supporters too, waiting outside the dressing room after games, whether we won, drew or lost.”
Jim’s mind is very much on golf this weekend as he gets some practice in ahead of the Irish Legends event at Rosapenna in Donegal next week.
He will join the likes of 2019 Irish Open champ Paul Lawrie for the second Legends tour charity event of the season hosted by 2014 Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
Jim, who plays off a handicap of 12, said: “Round Towers is where I first kicked a ball. I started playing golf very young too.
“My parents moved from West Clare in the early 1960s and bought a house on the ninth lock at the canal, in St Patrick’s in Clondalkin.
“That was on the outskirts of the village back then, Clondalkin was full of fields.”
A host of stars will tee off at the famous Old Tom Morris links including Daniel O’Donnell, Niall Quinn and Steve Staunton.
Jim said: “Paul and myself around the same age, we struck up a friendship many years ago.
“He had been inviting me to play Rossapenna for many years but as manager of the Dublin team I wasn’t able to go up.
“Last year I got the opportunity to play and I won the competition, I qualified for the grand final in Mauritius. We had the likes of Robbie Fowler, Keith Duffy, Teddy Sheringham.
“It’s a great format, you have a celebrity, a pro golfer, and two amateurs go out together.
“For me it’s not so much the celebrities but I’m looking forward to which professional I’ll be paired with.
“It’s a beautiful links, the course is fantastic and the backdrop is phenomenal looking out over Sheep Haven’s Bay.
“We’re all hoping we get the weather that we’re getting now.”
The aim is to raise money for charity and Jim will play in aid of FutureNeuro scientific foundation which researches MND, MS and Parkinsons.
It’s in memory of Anto Finnegan, former Antrim captain, who died last September at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease in 2012. This weekend Jim is at the Trump resort in Doonbeg on one of his favourite golf courses as he gets a bit of last minute practice in.
He revealed: “Clare is a beautiful county. My mum and dad are from West Clare, my dad is from Cree which is only a few kilometres from Doonbeg.
“I would have played on Doughmore Strand in the 70s and 80s. I brought the Dublin team down to the resort during the five-in-a-row.
“Each year we’d head down on the Friday, train on the local pitches, meet the local kids.
“The Dublin lads loved the beauty and the wildness of the landscape, they used to love the wildness of the Atlantic.
“There’s a different pace of life there and Doonbeg was really good to me growing up and as Dublin football manager.”
As a director of the Irish Aviation Authority Jim says he doesn’t get as much time for golf as he would like.
The former Air Corps pilot joked: “I think some people thought that when I managed Dublin it was my job, but the reality is it was my hobby.
“I’ve worked in the aviation industry for over 30 years, 20-plus years serving in Oglaigh na hEireann.
“With the Defence Forces I was based at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel for 20 years, the Dublin team was my interest.
“It was high profile, but it was a hobby nonetheless.”
After he left Moyle Park College Jim spent “a few weeks” in third level education before he got a job offer from the Defence Forces.
He joined the Air Corps, graduating with his military wings in 1993 and spending eight years as chief flying instructor. He spent a few tours overseas, describing his last to Central African Republic and Chad in 2010 as an “interesting mission”.
Jim said: “Like any team that forms particularly a high performing team like the Army Cadet School or those you get your wings with, you keep very close to them.
“There is a bond there. People who have served the State in uniform, there would be a bond.
“It’s a fantastic career, I couldn’t but recommend it.”
These days Jim says he watches GAA games “like a fan”, admitting he was disappointed when the Dubs lost their semi-final against Kerry.
But he dismissed any suggestion that the Blues’ golden era is over. He said: “They are a phenomenal group of players.
“I have no doubt they will be back, no doubt at all.”
And he said despite the controversy over Hawkeye this year that the system is a positive thing.
He said: “Once it works no problem. If it works, any technology can be transformational, it’s just a matter of making sure it works
“I would advocate having Hawkeye. We want to make sure that the scores are awarded or not correctly, and it doesn’t take that long to be honest.”
He also commended the GAA for moving the championship forward – though he admitted it might have been a few weeks too early this year.
He said: “I think to give the clubs their space was the right thing to do.
“It might be a little bit too early this season but I think it was a brave step that the GAA leadership took I’m sure that they will look at the sequencing of it.
“It was a very compact season.”
Asked about the Garth Brooks concerts at Croker he replied: “If you can get me tickets I will go.
“I’m sure it will be a great gig
“I don’t get out much. When I was managing the team I had three things: family, profession, and the GAA, my hobby.”
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