The decline of Dublin GAA at intercounty level

gormdubhgorm · 03-02-2026 02:53PM #1

The Dublin footballers at the time of writing are on zero points in the national league, looking like relegation canidates. The current Dublin panel has major issues in goal and midfield, and has no one to consistently kick two pointers in the forward line. There seems to be be nothing coming through for Dublin. The Dublin footballers have not won an u20/u21 AI since 2017. And have not got to a final sine 2020. Dublin have not won a minor AI since 2012 and have not got to a final since. The current Dublin panel has three Skerries players who just won senior 2 (Dublin's second level).

Other football counties seem to have adapted to the new rules most notably Meath who have about four or five options to kick two pointers. And it is fast turning into not how many Meath players would get into the Dublin team. But how many Dublin players would get into the Meath one?

I would pick about four of the Meath forwards ahead of the Dublin forwards straight away, and the two Meath midfielders. I have seen Meath live three times recently once v Dublin in Portlaoise in the championship where they bullied Dublin physically, not just on the scoreboard. I saw Meath lose a Leinster final v Louth - but it appeared to me that Meath froze that day. The expectation to beat Louth was too much for them not taking away the performance of Louth - Mulroy etc were fantastic.

But I saw Meath v Derry and Meath in the Div2 league - they again had that physicality and directness that suits the new rules, with a lots of players who are willing to attempt and likely score 2 pointers. To my mind it looks like a period of dominance for the Meath footballers is coming.

For the Dublin hurlers yes they had a shock win v Limerick and were even a man down. Seem to have caught Limerick who were very complacent that day. But Dublin were walloped by Cork in the semi-final. The lack of Dublin scoring forwards in hurling is a glaring issue. Depending on your freetaker to keep a team in games only goes so far. Hurling badly needs a new team to shake things up instead of the usual suspects year in year out. The fact Dublin are the best hope does not say much for the future of the game of hurling, but that is a different issue. The Dublin minor hurlers were runners up in 2011, and 2012. Dublin did lose the u20/u21 all ireland in 2020. Nothing even approaching that since. At senior level the 2011 League win is becoming a distant memory, as is the 2013 Leinster Final win

Personally I would like to see Dublin GAA (And Con O'Callaghan) to focus on the hurlers. Move from the footballers who are just not "designed" for the new rules, to the Dublin hurlers instead. He would transform that Dublin hurling side and make them a force to be reckoned with.

It is shocking that the Dublin footballers have still not adapted to the new rules while the likes of Donegal. Kerry, Meath are thriving under the new rules. There is not only an inability to take 2 point shots but a fear to take them them on as well. Very dependent on getting scores on a quick counter. Also compared to the likes of Kerry/Donegal Dublin seem to have forgotten the importance of off the ball movement, decoy runs, droping back into pockets, quick interchanges all that seems to have gone.

If this decline of Dublin football (in particular) and stagnation in the hurling, Dublin are likely going to lose support and players to soccer etc. OK you could argue that Dublin club football and hurling are doing well looking at the likes of Na Fianna, Boden, or Cuala who have had success in both codes. But it is not translating to senior at all. And it gets worse when you look at where some of the key players are from. In the Na Fianna footballers for example their best forward at kicking two pointers was a Clareman - Sexton!

Dickie10 · 03-02-2026 04:57PM

not gonna lie but I was laughed out of it for predicting this 3/4 years ago. The dublin superb team was a result of culchie parents producing savage players. The parents had great interest in Gaa coming from different counties just think Ciaran Kilkenny , murchan the brogans , Diarmuid Connolly etc even Philly McMahon. The amount of culchies now moving and living in dublin has slowed to a trickle because houses are so expensive, those who can afford are not near as big into Gaa, more rugby and most are not Irish to start with. Those culchies now move out to dunshauglin, Maynooth, drogheda navan so only inevitable we are seeing Meath, Louth and Kildare going so well, but Meath have tradition and confidence in themselves as a Gaa county and a county in general. You’d even notice this when they lay in Croke park , feel as if it’s their home ground. Majority of their fans fully believe they will be in an all Ireland final or two in next 5 years. Hard to think Kildare or Louth think that way. Can’t underestimate the power of the broad genepool that dublin had and now Meath and Kildare have. Usually best and brightest people leave the likes of lietrim, Kerry, Donegal so these people are a huge asset

billyhead · 03-02-2026 07:36PM

These things happen I.e transitions or phases of success. The golden generation previously will be hard to replicate. I find it hard to believe there isn't any unearthed talent in the club scene that could perform well for the seniors. It does however make the Dublin Meath games when they happen in Leinster like the good old days rather then lopsided matches.

rolling boh · 03-02-2026 07:55PM

Dublin got a lot of outstanding players come along around the same time for proberly the first time, no disrespect to the seventies team but proberly a different type of game then .Dublin also is not a hotbed of Gaelic games so I would expect them to fall back to winning now and again like before .Anybody who actually follows the game here knew the fall off was coming and the success was out of the ordinary. I don't hear much talk now of splitting Dublin and all the resources etc talk that lazy journalists and pundits were going on about for years .Dublin will stay competitive to at least a point but won't be winning much in the foreseeable future .

Deskjockey · 04-02-2026 12:15AM

We need to make Dublin double the size

Dickie10 · 04-02-2026 01:06AM

id love to know how many of the great 11-21 dublin team have parents both born in dublin . I think someone said the Meath team in all Ireland semi finals last year only 6 of the 24 togged out had both parents from Meath. Kinsella half Slovak

Treble double · 04-02-2026 12:01PM

It called "Cycles" all sports have cycles where a team dominates and it feels like it will last forever, but it doesn't.

The trick is when you have a golden generation of players, to max out the success they achieve. Dublin did this brilliantly and blew the Kerry golden years team out of the water success wise. Limerick have done brilliantly maxing their golden generation as well. Supporters have to try and enjoy these golden periods and realise they may never see the likes of it again.

Dublin look like they are dropping back into the pack as do Limerick, their supporters will have a treasure trove of great memories and will be looking for the signs of the next bunch of superstars coming along in the underage set ups.

Cycles

blowitupref · 04-02-2026 07:04PM

U21 All Ireland titles won in 2010,2012,2014,2017

The last few years lot of the Dublin 2010,2012,2014 U21 All Ireland winners have retired which has brought a natural dip. They are in full transition now and no easy task for Ger Brennan when you consider Dublin at U20 the last five years haven't won Leinster nevermind All-Ireland title.

The_Kew_Tour · 04-02-2026 08:12PM

People got too carried away few years ago about Dublin being spilt and unfair on others etc.

It comes and goes. They be back just maybe not short term

Straight Talker · 06-02-2026 04:00AM

Dublin fans have been spoilt rotten in terms of success in the last decade. A downturn in fortunes was inevitable but they'll still be there or thereabouts this year. I'm far more concerned with the likes of Meath, Offaly and Kildare re-emerging as forces in Leinster again combined with the improvement in Louth to give us a competitive Leinster championship again.

FullBack Jam · 06-02-2026 12:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124210705#Comment_124210705

I don't know. I was at the Donegal match, and the Mayo match last week, and Dublin look a bit of a shambles at the moment. No confidence, and no creativity. I don't know of any big name players that they are missing so far in the league. A lot of the big guns retired - McCarthy, Mannion, Small, Cluxton, Fitzsimmons. Ciaran Kilkenny has been able to stay at the top of his game in recent years, but from what I saw on Sunday in Castlebar, he has a long way to get to that level in the coming months. They obviously depend a lot on Con O'Callaghan, but as an overall forward (and midfield unit), they do not have sufficient long-range shooting capacity to be competitive in a match. Even Mayo have upped their game hugely in the shooting department.

gormdubhgorm · 08-02-2026 05:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124204834#Comment_124204834

But for some reason Kerry seem to very consistent in producing the "head up footballers". They always have a few with that inbuilt swagger. Dublin were not producing those players for decades in any decent numbers - as Pat Spillane used to say Dublin didn't have "footballers". Which used to annoy me, but he was correct.

Then there was a glut in the last decade - more of an anomaly now it appears. Might not happen again for 30/40 years.

You have to wonder why some counties manage to maintain a certain level of consistency, while others don't - is it environment, culture, coaching, drive or a combination of all of the above?

gormdubhgorm · 08-02-2026 05:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124211449#Comment_124211449

A fella was listing of lads to come back which according to him would make a difference. I said Basquel, then he mentioned O'Caofaigh-Byrne. I said he has got better but not aggressive enough given his size. He mentioned Gannon, to come back, and Theo Clancy out for three months with injury. Saying these lads will mean Dublin will avoid relegation. I wasn't convinced.

The matches you mentioned I was at both. Dublin were lucky not to get a hiding on the scoreboard in the two games. Breathnach make the final Dublin score in the two games look flattering. Dublin never really looked like winning either game. Even though the scoreline ended up respectable.

kerryjack · 22-02-2026 09:47AM

it was always going to happen thankfully but as a Kerry man I have to tip my hat off to that fine team.

gormdubhgorm · 22-02-2026 11:09AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255819#Comment_124255819

Yer crowd didn’t even have to try yesterday. And it was that easy almost lost concentration and got caught. Which would have been ironic.

The hurlers for Dublin were great though. There is real fight and determination in that group of lads. Even if there are limitations to the side.

I don’t think the Dublin footballers even have a style of play, structure, nevermind any confidence in themselves.

legendary.xix · 24-02-2026 12:13PM

Dublin have the ability of a one off big performance at least. Home ground league advantage at the business end of the championship can work in their favour. Opponents will want to be aware of something of a dying kick to their own championship aspirations.

dunnerc · 24-02-2026 02:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261571#Comment_124261571

Go away with your nonsense , this Dublin team is low division 2 possibly division 3 standard, home advantage against your lot , Donegal Galway , Armagh , Meath etc means diddly.

gormdubhgorm · 24-02-2026 03:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261571#Comment_124261571

You clearly have not watched Dublin’s performances thus far in any detail. Same issues posters, fans, management have pointed out time and again. Paddy Andrews helpfully listed them here.

https://x.com/offtheball/status/2026031810816389609?s=20

Only thing I would disagree with is Breathnach is faster than Bugler.

In summary Dublin are caught between a rock and a hard place. The old guard programmed for old rules. And having to integrate half a team into that. Resulting in “no identity” no structure.

Your point on CP is ironic - it actually now suits top teams instead of Dublin. Donegal, Kerry, Armagh love that open space . It likely Dublins only home win will a fortunate win against a weak Monaghan side, who lacked the forwards to punish Dublin.

Tombo2001 · 24-02-2026 03:38PM

Sorry for being pedantic - Dublin are on the up in hurling, they are LGFA champions.

TBH the biggest problem in Dublin is the camogie, if we are looking at it from POV of the playing population in the county and how they perform.

But obviously you are only talking about football.

To state the obvious - there is no decline - Dublin is reverting back to where it was for 90% of its history; a top 3 or 4 or 5 team, but not the best.

Limerick hurlers will do the same.

FullBack Jam · 24-02-2026 04:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262177#Comment_124262177

I would have Dublin at number 10, based on their last 4 matches. Behind

Kerry

Donegal

Mayo

Roscommon

Cork

Meath

Armagh

Galway

Derry

legendary.xix · 24-02-2026 04:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262291#Comment_124262291

Leinster 2026 Semi-final:

Louth v Wexford - Dublin v Carlow or Wicklow

Ok. You more or less expect Dublin to make the Leinster final. Provincial finalists will have home advantage in All Ireland Round 1. Mayo or Roscommon and Armagh or Donegal are the two likely dangerous opponents. Avoid those, Dublin have a reasonable chance of getting to Round 2A. Win 2A or R3 - Dublin are the only county left with home league ground advantage in the quarter finals. One big performance there despite all the criticism. Anything can happen.

gormdubhgorm · 24-02-2026 04:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262177#Comment_124262177

Ladies footballs very low base though. No depth in the competition. Tactically not as refined as other codes. In reality ladies football the fittest team likely wins. Skills not developed in the sport consistently yet

Talking about hurling too. Dublin seem like perennial battlers- but never quiet making it to the top table. Sort of threading hurling water.

The football decline is odd to me as not in the fall in standard. But the basics seem to have been forgotten. With the selectors Brennan has you would thing some sort of functional team would develop quicker.

Camogie - don’t think I was ever at a camogie match in my life. Probably says a lot!

Tombo2001 · 24-02-2026 05:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262351#Comment_124262351

I really do think the football teams 'decline' has to be put in context of the incredible team they had.

If you look at the 2016 team - almost every player on that team is better than the equivalent player in the 2006 team, and similarly to the 2026 team.
New manager, bedding things in. When things settle down they will be a top 4 or top 5 team.

Tombo2001 · 24-02-2026 06:20PM

Just on the subject of 'depth' and ladies football - the considerable success of LGFA players in a professional sporting environment in Australia (AFLW) speaks to the quality of the players.

dunnerc · 25-02-2026 11:27AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262496#Comment_124262496

When things settle down , Dublin might be a top 10 team at best , division 2 for 5 -6 years looks likely.

Tombo2001 · 25-02-2026 11:46AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124263887#Comment_124263887

When things settle, Dublin will still be best team in Leinster.

Time will tell, but I dont think Meath will overtake them. Nor will the likes of Roscommon or Monaghan.

gormdubhgorm · 25-02-2026 02:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262561#Comment_124262561

Also the quality of the AFLW v the men's version. Much harder to break into the men's AFL. I think the last Dublin player to break into the AFL was James Madden from Boden in 2018. Obviously the Stynes brothers way before that.

Oddly given the success of the peak Dublin era in the men's game none were ultimately tempted by the AFL. But, McCaffery, Kilkenny (He got homesick after a few months), Costello and Howard were all tracked by AFL scouts.

I don't think the AFL scouts will be nosing around Dublin GAA grounds much these days.

dunnerc · 25-02-2026 03:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124263946#Comment_124263946

Dublin's dominance in Leinster is over , beaten by Meath in 2025 , Dublin are even weaker in 2026 they have nothing coming through , Meath will take over for a few years

breezy1985 · 25-02-2026 03:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264434#Comment_124264434

Dublins dominance probably contributed to them not leaving. Much easier tempted from a county used to batterings than one where you can collect about 20 medals.

Tombo2001 · 25-02-2026 04:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264434#Comment_124264434

Yes, thats a given.

My point is

AFLW is a professional sport. LGFA players have been incredibly successful at transferring to that game. With players from all over the country, almost every county.

Which hints at the quality and depth in LGFA being reasonably high.

Lost Ormond · 25-02-2026 04:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124264691#Comment_124264691

wasnt AFLW only starting up which helped see so many irish go over to play there and helped many succeed over there. might be bit harder as game evolves over time as a pro sport. not same as mens

The decline of Dublin GAA at intercounty level

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