Dublin GAA Discussion Thread: Mod Note - No 'Dublin Dominance' chat allowed!

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122797583#Comment_122797583

Never seemed to age because his mind was always a few steps ahead of everyone else. Great positional sense. Oozed composure. Would be interesting if he gives management a go to see how he gets on.

corny

Brilliant player in every facet of the game. Can't remember him having a bad or even average season in all the time he's been involved.

eire4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122797866#Comment_122797866

I often think the word legend gets thrown around a bit too easily sometimes but there is zero doubt that James McCarthy is just that an absolute legend not just of Dublin GAA but of the game period.

Charlo30

An absolute Rolls Royce of a player and the heartbeat of that Dublin team. You enjoy your retirement James. You owe Dublin Gaa nothing

Did you smash it

John Small gone MAGA I see

thesultan

What does that mean?

Trampas

I heard small wasn’t going to come back last year

bren2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122810655#Comment_122810655

if you look at his twitter, he’s re-tweeted a load of pro-Trump stuff.

While I dislike Trump, Small is a GAA player and I couldn’t care less who he supports politically.

JRant

Massive blow for the team and completely out of the blue. Wish him all the best in the future. He is a Rolls Royce of a player.

https://twitter.com/IrishTimes/status/1858643712428900584?t=IaoDrlKYkhQnc1s5twyRsA&s=19

ledwithhedwith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855349#Comment_122855349

what a horrible shock this is haha

rrs

There was some talk that he might be taking a break for a year but didn't expect him to retire at 31. Was the hunger gone or just can't commit?

blowitupref

Big shock that, at 31 perhaps he think the new rules aren't for him.

From the Irish times.

Dublin's Brian Fenton makes shock decision to retire

Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the game, the shock decision will leave void in Dessie Farrell's team

The 31-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game, will not be involved with Dessie Farrell's squad after making the shock decision to step away.

Fenton's retirement will reverberate well beyond the capital as the two-time Footballer of the Year remained one of the top players in the country, and following his displays in this year's championship he was again nominated for an All Star.

The seven-time All-Ireland winner made his Dublin senior debut in 2015 and over the last decade developed his game to become a standout player on Dublin's All Ireland winning teams

With James McCarthy announcing his retirement only two weeks ago, and speculation that Stephen Cluxton might not be returning, Dublin fans were hoping the likes of Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny and Con O'Callaghan would lead the dressingroom in the years ahead.

However, Fenton has now also decided to walk away – leaving a big void in the heart of the Dublin team.

The decision of the six-time All Star to retire will come as a huge disappointment to all Gaelic football fans and leaves Farrell facing a significant rebuilding job down the spine of his Dublin team in 2025

copacetic

Doubt very much it has anything to do with new rules, if anything they looked like they would suit him greatly. Presume it’s career, family, travelling based.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855693#Comment_122855693

Exactly as soon as the new rules came in I was envisaging more Fento long range shots. Bit of a sickner the midfield is fecked now. As if it was not weak enough already. Still had not found a consistent partner in midfield for Fenton as it was.

MFPM

Didn't see this coming, big blow to the team with no obvious replacement. I suspect Fitzsimons is going to go too. It could be a tough 2025.

manofwisdom

Huge blow to Dublin's chances/hopes of regaining the All Ireland in 2025.

In the past Jim Gavin could introduce 2010,2012,2014 and 2017 U21 All Ireland winner into the senior starting team and making any transition period smooth. No U20 All Ireland for Dublin since it became U20 in 2018 and Last four years Dublin U20s didn't even win Leinister so the same talent and quality coming through clearly isn't there right now.

billyhead

Massive blow to the team. With Cluxton and Mick Fitz likely following that's a huge loss in experience and leadership.

rolling boh

Seemed to have been a lot of talk about Brian stepping away alright but now that's it official ,it's a huge blow to us.Talk of a couple of others as well so despite all the rubbish talk about a never ending supply of top players we are going to be firmly back in the pack over the next few years .There is a huge rebuild on the cards by the looks of things .

Quiet Achiever

Absolutely fantastic player. Even as a non Dub you couldn't but admire him

But I did feel his temperament changed over the kast few seasons. He appeared a bit grumpy. Went from a squeaky clean golden boy to someone with a bit more aggression, but maybe that is just something that happens as you become a more senior player and are in a more protective role to your younger team mates.

thesultan

Was the benchmark for every team . How do.we stop Fenton?

Trampas

Maybe a 12 months time he might change his mind and just needs a break. More hope than anything. Always seemed in control and calm on a ball. A huge hole to fill and currently we don’t have the goods to fill it. Wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few more

muddle84

Huge loss to Football as a whole with those two retiring. No doubt McCarthy has to go down as one of the all time greats. I really enjoyed watching that Dublin team playing on the occasions I got to watch them as a neutral, McCarthy especially!

I wouldn't expect an announcement from Cluxton like the last time he left the panel so he may already be gone. I expect McCaffrey is already gone as well.

C__MC

Class player, he controlled the all ireland in 23 and was just a wonderful player. Not much left to achieve, 7 all Ireland two footballer of years.

dunnerc

Best of luck Brian , thanks for the memories .

Krazy gang

What a player in full flight. As a non dub it would break your heart when he lined up a shot from 35 yards as you knew where it was going. Couldn't help but admire him though.

Next few years you could see different all ireland winners which would be great

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856060#Comment_122856060

I would say bit of frustration with the teammates/ players around him. Basically as time went on he was forced to do more on as the standard of play dropped. Really opens up championship now he was that good.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856773#Comment_122856773

Fenton and Cluxton are the two certainties for any greatest ever Gaelic Football team. What a ten years he has had, nobody comes close.

When the going got tough, Fenton got going. He was the one who you could rely on to win that midfield ball when the match was at stake or kick the long-distance point. A true great of the game.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856688#Comment_122856688

I was just thinking when Raheny played Kilmacud in the Dublin club SF couple years ago in extra time, Fenton did that much running for Raheny he started dropping points short. Which was very unusual for him, normally over the bar from way out with a bit to spare.

Whelo will have to come out of retirement the way things are going! Plenty of teams should be able to have a cut at Dublin now. Will be interesting to see how Louth fare if they face Dublin again. Ger Brennan has them bubbling along nicely.

The White Feather

The Dublin Ladies Football manager Mick Bohan has stepped down

https://www.rte.ie/sport/womens-football/2024/1123/1482578-bohan-steps-down-as-dublin-manager/

MacDanger

What's the story with Parnells? Seems like a sad way for the club to end up

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/1127/1483385-dublin-gaa-club-surrenders-clubhouse-and-pitches/