Dublin starlet Paul Mannion has no regrets about choosing Gaelic football over soccer.

Capped at U18 Schools level by the Republic of Ireland in 2011, Mannion attracted interest from some English clubs before deciding to concentrate on his GAA career. And his decision has been vindicated by All-Ireland successes at both U21 and senior level - all before his 21st birthday.

"I suppose for a lot of kids growing up that is their end goal - they always want to play in England," he tells the Irish Daily Star.

"I don't think I had the same obsession because the GAA and football was there so it wasn't an obsession for me. Certainly, my parents were not obsessed with the idea either. They always said to me that they would love me to go to college here and play football at home so I never put too much thought into it.

"Thankfully, the Leaving Cert went well. I went to UCD as well which is what I wanted and it turned out really well.

"The bottom line is that I was not good enough at soccer to be in with a shout there.There were a couple of clubs interested but I was happy then. I had committed myself to the Dublin minors and once that happened I was happy to play Gaelic football and I am glad at the end of the day that I did." Tweet

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