Niall's not ready to hand over the reins

SCULLY HAS NO NOTION OF BOWING OUT

- BY PAT NOLAN

NIALL SCULLY has said he had no inclination to join the Dublin exodus last winter.

Stalwarts like James McCarthy, Brian Fenton, Michael Fitzsimons, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey all called time on their Dublin careers, albeit the latter trio didn't officially confirm it, while others were expected to follow suit but ultimately didn't.

Scully wouldn't quite be in that bracket but, at 31, he's of a similar vintage to Fenton, Mannion and McCaffrey.

However, having only made his championship debut in 2017 at the age of 23, his career had a later lift-off — and he's determined to play into his mid-30s.

He explained: "I could understand why anyone would (retire) - but for myself I had a couple of years on the panel where I wasn't making it.

"So for me, it wouldn't have felt right. I worked very incredible hard to get where I am.

Just personally, I wouldn't be able to give it up this season anyway.