ONE man's misfortune is another man's opportunity, as Dublin star Paul Curran has discovered after being handed the captain's role for Leinster in the Interprovincial Railway Cup Football Final encounter with Munster at Newbridge on Sunday.
The reason for Curran's elevation to the captaincy is the enforced absence of Meath full forward Tommy Dowd, who was sent off in a National League match with Mayo last month and whose fate has still to be decided by the Games Administration Committee.
Curran said: "I never really thought about the captaincy, although it is a nice bonus and a privilege, even if I am from the school of thought that believes it is all about a team, all 15 players, going out to do the business."
He still can't understand why this competition is fighting for survival, thrown from one date to another in a cluttered calendar.
Ironically, the Dublin defender is convinced the GAC have finally discovered the best time to hold the final; even if they have stumbled upon Sunday's date by accident as much as anything else with weather and draws delaying the outcome of the Munster Ulster semi final.
"I can't see the logic in having the Railway Cup Final right at the start of the year on a bad day with a bad crowd. How can anyone get excited about that? After all, the best players in the province are playing and the standard is invariably high," said Curran.
"The competition deserves better than that, a date in April is probably fairest."
So, Sunday's timing - almost two months after Leinster booked their place in the final - is more to Curran's liking, and he is determined to add a Railway Cup medal to his collection. "I have been on two losing sides at the hands of Ulster but we've a good team this time, capable of playing really good open football with plenty of guys running off the ball," he insisted.
Leinster manager Mattie Kerrigan and co selectors John Crofton and Niall Rennicks have made three changes from the side which overcame Connacht for the final: Curran, Paul Bealin and Tony Maher come in for Hugh Emerson, Niall Buckley and the suspended Dowd.
All Ireland champions, Dublin, have four representatives - Curran, Bealin, Brian Stynes, who is moved from centre field to full forward, and Eamonn Heary, who is moved from wing back to corner back.
Dowd, incidentally, has been asked to make a personal appearance at the GAC meeting on April 23rd after being reported for "striking" by referee Michael McGrath.
Meanwhile, Jason Sherlock has been omitted from the Dublin squad to face Louth in the Leinster Under 21 Football Championship encounter at Dundalk on Sunday. Sherlock - who is playing with UCD in a National League soccer match against Bohemians tonight - was available for selection, but has not been included in the Dublin travelling party of 21 players.
Keith Galvin, who won an All Ireland senior medal as a cornerback last September, is named at left half back on the team with senior fringe players Enda Sheehy Paddy Christie and Ian Roberts' on also included.
