McGuinness highlights Brogan's critical contribution

September 22, 2015

Dublin's Alan Brogan celebrates. INPHO

Jim McGuinness says substitute Alan Brogan made a vital contribution to Dublin's All-Ireland final victory.

The veteran former Footballer of the Year came off the bench late on and drove the final dagger into Kerry's hopes when kicking a sensational left-footed insurance point between the Hill 16 posts from beneath the Hogan Stand. If that's to be Brogan's last score in a Dublin jersey, it was one that sums him up.

"Alan Brogan's introduction was critical," McGuinness writes in The Irish Times. "What he did for his point is well worth any young player studying. If you watch it back, he was making decisions during that entire run up the pitch as he carried the ball. Even though the ball never left his hands it is clear he is thinking: will I give it here or not? Give it now or not?

"He kept taking the right option the whole way up the pitch - in a crunch moment of the All-Ireland final when Dublin had what was still a precarious lead on a day of treacherous weather. And eventually, he took the perfect decision in kicking the ball over the bar.

"He also won a break down at the far end when Rory O'Carroll broke a ball away from Kieran Donaghy. So he was involved in a couple of big moments. He showed great patience all season in terms of using whatever game time he was given and it was a classy performance here.


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