James McCarthy explains why he wants a ninth All-Ireland title

Dublin's captain, James McCarthy, has expressed that he would find immense satisfaction in witnessing the younger members of the Dublin team achieve victory and secure an All-Ireland title, rather than solely focusing on his own pursuit of a ninth championship.

Fierce rivals Dublin and Kerry are set to clash in the All-Ireland Football Senior Championship Final this weekend, and for McCarthy, it presents an opportunity to surpass other great Gaelic football figures who have come before him.

A win for Dublin and McCarthy on Sunday would mean a ninth medal, putting him ahead of former Dublin teammates Cian O’Sullivan, Michael Darragh Macauley, Philly McMahon, and Kevin McManamon, as well as Kerry's Pat Spillane, Mikey Sheehy, Ger Power, Denis ‘Ogie’ Moran, and the late Paidi O Se.

Despite being one win away from a record-breaking feat, the 33-year-old admits that seeing other members of the squad, who have never tasted All-Ireland success, achieve it for the first time would be far more satisfactory.

“Look, obviously you hear it out there, and it's nice to hear, and that is what's dangled out there,” says McCarthy. “But I'll get more satisfaction getting Lee Gannon and these guys a taste of it and see how it feels to play on a big day and stuff. I think that's more important."

Dublin suffered defeat in the 2022 semi-final against Kerry, courtesy of a late Sean O'Shea free. The team has not won the Sam Maguire since 2020 and is eager to rectify the past, starting with the match against Kerry on Sunday.

“It's ferociously disappointing to lose All-Ireland semi-finals, especially the two we did lose when we felt we were in positions to possibly win them,"added the Ballymun Kickhams star.

“Look, the best team always wins, that's the way I always look at it, but we definitely had opportunities both times to possibly win the games ourselves. So, look, plenty of learning.

“But, look, I kind of take a step back from it too because there were plenty of matches we won over the years that were so tight and we went the other side of them two games.

“It's what happens, it's elite sport for you, there's two serious teams going at it and that can happen.

“But, yeah, as I said it was hugely disappointing, and it's huge motivation for everyone. We have another chance now in the All-Ireland final.”

The All-Ireland Final is scheduled to start at 3.30 on Sunday.