Niall Scully gives definitive answer to whether he considered joining Dublin panel exodus over winter
When the Sky Blues
Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Paul Mannion, Mick Fitzsimons and Jack McCaffrey — who all started the one-point loss to Pádraic Joyce's men in the 2024 quarter-final — have stepped away.
But Scully, who recently turned 31, said: 'I could understand why anyone would but I had a couple of years on the panel where I wasn't making it.
'It wouldn't have felt right for me.
'I worked incredibly hard to get to where I am. I wouldn't be able to give it up this season.'
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Scully played alongside Fenton, Mannion and McCaffrey on the Dublin team that won the All-Ireland Under-21 title back in 2014.
But he had to bide his time before establishing himself at senior level, with the Templeogue Synge Street man eventually making his Championship debut against Carlow in 2017.
He added: 'The biggest factor was when I sat down to think about it, you work so hard to get yourself into that position and it just wouldn't have felt comfortable to just walk away.'
The number of key players who exited the set-up in one fell swoop left a gaping hole in the Dublin team.
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And that was exposed by Meath in last month's stunning semi-final win that ruined the Dubs' hopes of a 15th Leinster title on the bounce.
The setback has also forced Dessie Farrell's side to survive a daunting group that also includes Derry and Armagh if they are to remain Sam Maguire contenders.
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Yet Scully did not feel an added sense of duty to return for another season of inter-county football after seeing so many of his former team-mates opting out.
The 2020 All-Star wing-forward said: 'Not really, to be honest.
'I haven't been to that stage where I felt like I wanted to walk away and could potentially feel guilty about doing so.
'I didn't have anything like that.
'Again, I'd be hoping to play for three or four seasons, or more, if I can. I'm fortunate enough that I haven't had to think in terms of that.'
Scully admits that his role has changed now that he is one of the elder statesmen in the Dublin team.
On the side that was stunned by the Royals, the five-time All-Ireland winner was the third-oldest outfield player behind John Small and Ciarán Kilkenny.
He said: 'Previously you would have fitted into the squad and gone along with everything.
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Scully never really considered calling time on his inter-county career
'Now there are lads on the panel who were born in 2002 and 2003 and it's just, 'What?' and in terms of my own, absolutely.
'There's a group of eight or nine of us that are senior and the senior part of the group.
'We like to think that we're in a position to lead by example by sharing the knowledge that we have.
'You're looking for these younger lads to fit into it and set their own tempo and identity on the squad as well.'
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