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Replying To Fionn: "I am being realistic.
I think you need to take off the Blue Blinkers tbh.
All our remaining star players have yet another year on the clock.
The age profile of our squad is not in our favour.
We have absolutely nothing coming through the ranks, and the club scene is a mish mash of old legends, current squad players, country players, and average club players in teams.
Are you actually going to any of the Dublin SFC games this year.?
Name me 1 new player who will improve our team.?
I can't.
Yes, I think 1 or 2 might return for Ger, but we have fallen so far behind others now at this stage.
It will be a miracle to catch up next year or the year after.
And I think we will lose a couple of players also.
Far too much mileage on the clock.
We are 14/1 for Sam next year. Kerry are 6/4, according to PP.
Armagh, Tyrone, Galway, Donegal are ahead of us, with Derry & Mayo nearly same odds as us.
It has been a hell of a long time since we were 14/1 for Sam. And we are at that for a reason.
If we had competitive minor or u20 teams, I would be a hell of lot happier but we dont even have that within Leinster now. Dublin CB took their eye off the ball completely imo.
I go to a lot of the underage inter county challenge games also and other counties are streets ahead of us.
Like I posted earlier - I would currently be happy with a Leinster title and then build on that going forward.
Expecting us to be really competitive in the latter stages of the All Ire is not realistic tbh.
Expect too much and you will be disappointed. ;o)
Only so many times our great players can go to the well, and we have less and less of them great players with each passing season.
Look, hopefully they prove me wrong but I wont be counting my chickens on it....
Either way, I will continue to go to all the games and cheer them on... ;o)" Tbh Fionn,I have only been to one club game this year but have seen a few highlights.I like the look of Daire Sweeney of Boden. Yes we down on the bookies odds but I just think that we still have a panel as good as most teams and with a bit of luck we can challenge for the big prizes.I am very confident we will win Leinster again and lets see after that.We still have a solid backline ,midfield as good as most and forward like Con,Bugler,Costello,Basquel that can cause any county trouble.I admit we not as strong as a few years ago but we still dangerous,
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 09/09/2025 15:04:54
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Replying To brayballer: "Tbh Fionn,I have only been to one club game this year but have seen a few highlights.I like the look of Daire Sweeney of Boden. Yes we down on the bookies odds but I just think that we still have a panel as good as most teams and with a bit of luck we can challenge for the big prizes.I am very confident we will win Leinster again and lets see after that.We still have a solid backline ,midfield as good as most and forward like Con,Bugler,Costello,Basquel that can cause any county trouble.I admit we not as strong as a few years ago but we still dangerous," I think kerry are favourites but after that maybe armagh and nothing between galway donegal Dublin tyrone
Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 992 - 09/09/2025 15:26:10
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Replying To brayballer: "Tbh Fionn,I have only been to one club game this year but have seen a few highlights.I like the look of Daire Sweeney of Boden. Yes we down on the bookies odds but I just think that we still have a panel as good as most teams and with a bit of luck we can challenge for the big prizes.I am very confident we will win Leinster again and lets see after that.We still have a solid backline ,midfield as good as most and forward like Con,Bugler,Costello,Basquel that can cause any county trouble.I admit we not as strong as a few years ago but we still dangerous," Fair enough. But we are way too over reliant on Con, sadly.
TBH my biggest annoyance is at underage.... wtf is going on there.
We should have 2 or 3 players ready to come each year at least, like a lot of other counties.
Our underage record is shocking.
We have been relying on more or less the same players for the past decade.
And each year we lose another 2 or 3, with nothing much to replace them.
Honestly our age profile is now 30 plus - and their best years are past them.
We can put out a strong 1-15 but after that we are nothing more than average unfortunately.
If I was in charge of DCB - underage would be my focus.
I know JM & BC are now involved with our u14's, so at least that is a start....
I was talking to a friend of mine from kerry in work earlier.
It was embarrassing listening to him and the riches they have, and money given to them via their sponsors etc.
Everything about their setup and structures is as close to professional as you will get in GAA.
I was telling him about our set up and he couldnt believe it.
FFS we are still training in St Clare's....
IMO Dublin CB sat on our laurels whilst we had that decade of dominance...
I am not sure future planning was given the attention it deserved...
We were asleep at the wheel...
If it did, well I cant see any results from it.
For a tiny county like Louth to do so well in Leinster this year, and us... well, I dunno wth is going on...
Anyway, rant over.
Happy thoughts from now on.... lol ;o)
New manager, new coaches, new hope.... ;o)
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 09/09/2025 19:40:57
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Replying To bad.monkey: "There are some very good young footballers in Dublin - Charlie McMorrow - Cuala, Joe Quigley - Crokes, Breathnach - BSJ, Luke O'Boyle - Clontarf... but the problem is there is not many players ready to step up to play senior IC now, it is an inevitable consequence following such a golden generation with so many top players playing into their mid 30s
Mannion has been the best player in SFC this year though, youd hope he can be convinced to come back for a year or two" Mannion has been unbelievable this year in the Dublin SFC.
Completely rejuvenated.......
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 09/09/2025 19:43:01
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Replying To Fionn: "Fair enough. But we are way too over reliant on Con, sadly.
TBH my biggest annoyance is at underage.... wtf is going on there.
We should have 2 or 3 players ready to come each year at least, like a lot of other counties.
Our underage record is shocking.
We have been relying on more or less the same players for the past decade.
And each year we lose another 2 or 3, with nothing much to replace them.
Honestly our age profile is now 30 plus - and their best years are past them.
We can put out a strong 1-15 but after that we are nothing more than average unfortunately.
If I was in charge of DCB - underage would be my focus.
I know JM & BC are now involved with our u14's, so at least that is a start....
I was talking to a friend of mine from kerry in work earlier.
It was embarrassing listening to him and the riches they have, and money given to them via their sponsors etc.
Everything about their setup and structures is as close to professional as you will get in GAA.
I was telling him about our set up and he couldnt believe it.
FFS we are still training in St Clare's....
IMO Dublin CB sat on our laurels whilst we had that decade of dominance...
I am not sure future planning was given the attention it deserved...
We were asleep at the wheel...
If it did, well I cant see any results from it.
For a tiny county like Louth to do so well in Leinster this year, and us... well, I dunno wth is going on...
Anyway, rant over.
Happy thoughts from now on.... lol ;o)
New manager, new coaches, new hope.... ;o)" Janey Fionn,You keep shocking me.You have a friend from Kerry? lol. I thought you hate everything Kerry bar their butter lol. I agree with you on our underage failures and also our panel members are only fair but our first 15 will be strong.D ont mention the money stuff or the keyboard warriors will appear. I dont think we depending totally on Con as I feel Bugler is a really top class player and our best player last year.Time will tell but I think we will be pleasantly surprised this year.We lost one Leinster game in 15 years and will rectify that next year.
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 09/09/2025 20:56:05
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Replying To brayballer: "Janey Fionn,You keep shocking me.You have a friend from Kerry? lol. I thought you hate everything Kerry bar their butter lol. I agree with you on our underage failures and also our panel members are only fair but our first 15 will be strong.D ont mention the money stuff or the keyboard warriors will appear. I dont think we depending totally on Con as I feel Bugler is a really top class player and our best player last year.Time will tell but I think we will be pleasantly surprised this year.We lost one Leinster game in 15 years and will rectify that next year." LOL ;o)
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 09/09/2025 22:34:59
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Final round of Dublin SHC games this weekend:-
Judes v Barrog
Lucan v Fianna
Boden v CC
Vinnies v Whitehall
Cuala v Crokes
Brigids v Plunketts
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 10/09/2025 17:26:43
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Hope the mighty Clucko enjoys his retirement, even though he is straight into a management setup.
What that man has done for the game, as well as for Dublin, is beyond measure.
Has any one player achieved and influenced as much in the game of Gaelic football than Stephen Cluxton?
foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2376 - 11/09/2025 15:16:42
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I see Ger has announced the Stephen Cluxton, who will be 44 in 3months time, will not play for Dublin in 2026.
Having won 9 All Ireland titles
18 Leinster titles
6 League titles
7 All Stars
Over 125 appearances, and nearly 50pts.
What a player....
End of an era.
#Legend.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 11/09/2025 15:47:00
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Excellent read:-
https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2025/0911/1533003-determined-brennan-ready-to-build-blues-back-up/
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 12/09/2025 08:30:36
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Replying To Fionn: "Excellent read:-
https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2025/0911/1533003-determined-brennan-ready-to-build-blues-back-up/" No shortage of resources in Dublin Gaa Fionn.
Ger Brennan.
Niall Moyna.
Denis Bastic.
Dean Rock.
Stephen Cluxton.
Josh Moran.
Martin Kennedy. (Top S&C guy, full time GAA))
Graham Nortan.
6 extra scouts monitoring games.
Ger is building up his team and many many more to come.
(video analysis, stats, physios, phychologists, massage, dieticians, ++++++++)
Dublin players also have a huge advantage as they can be back in their beds at 10.00pm recovering after training while many county lads are cramping up in cars travelling back long distances after training. What player would not want to play for Dublin?
Given the many advantages I expect Dublin to win Leinster at least; Fenton or no Fenton.
letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 798 - 12/09/2025 10:32:15
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Replying To letsgetgoing: "No shortage of resources in Dublin Gaa Fionn.
Ger Brennan.
Niall Moyna.
Denis Bastic.
Dean Rock.
Stephen Cluxton.
Josh Moran.
Martin Kennedy. (Top S&C guy, full time GAA))
Graham Nortan.
6 extra scouts monitoring games.
Ger is building up his team and many many more to come.
(video analysis, stats, physios, phychologists, massage, dieticians, ++++++++)
Dublin players also have a huge advantage as they can be back in their beds at 10.00pm recovering after training while many county lads are cramping up in cars travelling back long distances after training. What player would not want to play for Dublin?
Given the many advantages I expect Dublin to win Leinster at least; Fenton or no Fenton." What player would not want to play for Dublin...???
Well there were 3 very high profile players who did not want to play for Dublin this year, and by the sounds of Ger, he wont be going to them to ask them back.
They will need to come to him....
It will be interesting....
I still have my reservations about the 3 ex players brought in to his coaching team tbh.
One stand out ex player who imo should have been involved and was on Declan's ticket, was JC.
Time will tell I guess.
BTW all those specialist backroom people you mention above - every top county setup have them and in fact some clubs would also. This is not a Dublin only phenomenon.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 12/09/2025 11:47:16
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https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2025/0912/1533124-former-world-boxing-champion-dunne-joins-wexford-gaa/
Best of luck to Bernard in this role with Wexford GAA.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 12/09/2025 12:36:41
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Replying To Fionn: "What player would not want to play for Dublin...???
Well there were 3 very high profile players who did not want to play for Dublin this year, and by the sounds of Ger, he wont be going to them to ask them back.
They will need to come to him....
It will be interesting....
I still have my reservations about the 3 ex players brought in to his coaching team tbh.
One stand out ex player who imo should have been involved and was on Declan's ticket, was JC.
Time will tell I guess.
BTW all those specialist backroom people you mention above - every top county setup have them and in fact some clubs would also. This is not a Dublin only phenomenon." Those 3 players already have a bag full of All-Ireland medals and have played at the top level for years, with massive commitment. It's natural that their motivation might have waned a bit.
In terms of newer players, the resources are definitely there to support them and they have fewer of the challenges in committing compared to some other counties.
The quality coming through is a lot less than it was a decade ago, but hunger is a great driver. Nothing stays the same, and the positive is Dublin have the natural resources to get things right again.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2526 - 12/09/2025 13:04:42
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Replying To Fionn: "What player would not want to play for Dublin...???
Well there were 3 very high profile players who did not want to play for Dublin this year, and by the sounds of Ger, he wont be going to them to ask them back.
They will need to come to him....
It will be interesting....
I still have my reservations about the 3 ex players brought in to his coaching team tbh.
One stand out ex player who imo should have been involved and was on Declan's ticket, was JC.
Time will tell I guess.
BTW all those specialist backroom people you mention above - every top county setup have them and in fact some clubs would also. This is not a Dublin only phenomenon." Most counties don't have:
* 3 top and highly qualified S&C guys. (Martin Kennedy, Niall Moyna, Graham Nortan),
* Top goal kicking coach in Dean Rock.
* About a 10-12 coaches monitoring club games and no doubt other county games when they start.
* 2 goal keeping coaches in Josh Moran and Stephen Cluxton.
* MULTIPLE Physios.
* MULTIPLE Massurs.
* MULTIPLE Stats people monitoring training, club and county games and the opposition.
* MULTIPLE video analysis people.
* Well resourced sponsorship.
Let's call a spade a spade, Dublin have all the advantages, the main one being less travelling to and from training as the vast majority of their players live in Dublin which leaves much more time for recovery, study time/project work, family life etc. (much less stress and a huge advantage).
Playing for your county is a much greater commitment for a player playing for a rural county but working in Dublin or elsewhere as most of them do. (Maybe not Kerry players as most of them are teachers at home who can have a two hour sleep before training and still be back in their beds before 10.00pm and are full time athletes near All Ireland time).
letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 798 - 12/09/2025 13:08:00
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Replying To letsgetgoing: "Most counties don't have:
* 3 top and highly qualified S&C guys. (Martin Kennedy, Niall Moyna, Graham Nortan),
* Top goal kicking coach in Dean Rock.
* About a 10-12 coaches monitoring club games and no doubt other county games when they start.
* 2 goal keeping coaches in Josh Moran and Stephen Cluxton.
* MULTIPLE Physios.
* MULTIPLE Massurs.
* MULTIPLE Stats people monitoring training, club and county games and the opposition.
* MULTIPLE video analysis people.
* Well resourced sponsorship.
Let's call a spade a spade, Dublin have all the advantages, the main one being less travelling to and from training as the vast majority of their players live in Dublin which leaves much more time for recovery, study time/project work, family life etc. (much less stress and a huge advantage).
Playing for your county is a much greater commitment for a player playing for a rural county but working in Dublin or elsewhere as most of them do. (Maybe not Kerry players as most of them are teachers at home who can have a two hour sleep before training and still be back in their beds before 10.00pm and are full time athletes near All Ireland time)." Cork hurlers have all those positions/personnel that you mention…but…
foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2376 - 12/09/2025 14:51:35
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Replying To letsgetgoing: "Most counties don't have:
* 3 top and highly qualified S&C guys. (Martin Kennedy, Niall Moyna, Graham Nortan),
* Top goal kicking coach in Dean Rock.
* About a 10-12 coaches monitoring club games and no doubt other county games when they start.
* 2 goal keeping coaches in Josh Moran and Stephen Cluxton.
* MULTIPLE Physios.
* MULTIPLE Massurs.
* MULTIPLE Stats people monitoring training, club and county games and the opposition.
* MULTIPLE video analysis people.
* Well resourced sponsorship.
Let's call a spade a spade, Dublin have all the advantages, the main one being less travelling to and from training as the vast majority of their players live in Dublin which leaves much more time for recovery, study time/project work, family life etc. (much less stress and a huge advantage).
Playing for your county is a much greater commitment for a player playing for a rural county but working in Dublin or elsewhere as most of them do. (Maybe not Kerry players as most of them are teachers at home who can have a two hour sleep before training and still be back in their beds before 10.00pm and are full time athletes near All Ireland time)." Yes Dubs have resources and yes we have some advantages but you need talent too and the Dubs have that in spades.Loads of counties have big backroom teams like Roscommon but they just dont have the talent.
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 12/09/2025 15:22:14
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Replying To Fionn: "Final round of Dublin SHC games this weekend:-
Judes v Barrog
Lucan v Fianna
Boden v CC
Vinnies v Whitehall
Cuala v Crokes
Brigids v Plunketts" The hurling has been a farce so far and will continue this weekend I think. Vinnies to win easily. Barrog to win and Na Fianna to win easily v Lucan..
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 12/09/2025 15:28:26
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Replying To foreveryoung: "Cork hurlers have all those positions/personnel that you mention…but…" They have a goal kicking coach? Maybe that's part of the problem.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2526 - 12/09/2025 15:59:36
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Replying To letsgetgoing: "Most counties don't have:
* 3 top and highly qualified S&C guys. (Martin Kennedy, Niall Moyna, Graham Nortan),
* Top goal kicking coach in Dean Rock.
* About a 10-12 coaches monitoring club games and no doubt other county games when they start.
* 2 goal keeping coaches in Josh Moran and Stephen Cluxton.
* MULTIPLE Physios.
* MULTIPLE Massurs.
* MULTIPLE Stats people monitoring training, club and county games and the opposition.
* MULTIPLE video analysis people.
* Well resourced sponsorship.
Let's call a spade a spade, Dublin have all the advantages, the main one being less travelling to and from training as the vast majority of their players live in Dublin which leaves much more time for recovery, study time/project work, family life etc. (much less stress and a huge advantage).
Playing for your county is a much greater commitment for a player playing for a rural county but working in Dublin or elsewhere as most of them do. (Maybe not Kerry players as most of them are teachers at home who can have a two hour sleep before training and still be back in their beds before 10.00pm and are full time athletes near All Ireland time)." As you seem to have all the figures, why dont you enlighten us all, as to what all the other top counties have, in this regard.
I know Roscommon are not a top county but for the craic you might as well tell us what your county have in place, like a good man......
;o)
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4653 - 12/09/2025 17:09:56
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