PAUL FLYNN reckons Brian Fenton’s Dublin retirement is a ‘catastrophic’ and ‘unrecoverable’ blow.
The county board confirmed yesterday that the seven-time All-Ireland winner, 31, had quit Dessie Farrell’s panel.
2
Ex-Sky Blue forward Flynn reckons the Dubs will now struggle to win LEINSTER.
He told Second Captains: “It’s catastrophic, it’s actually unrecoverable.
“I would go as far as to say they will be under pressure in Leinster.
“If they had lost four or five players, I still believe they could have built a competitive team with Fento in midfield.
“You could actually regenerate the squad with him there because he’s so good he’ll at least have a presence in midfield, fill in a couple of centre roles and carry a couple of players.”
The news came just two weeks after nine-time All-Ireland winner James McCarthy retired from the inter-county game.
Flynn, who won Sam Maguire four times alongside Fenton, added: “If I’m Ger Brennan now, if I’m Robbie Brennan going in at Meath, if I’m Brian Flanagan in Kildare, you’re getting confidence from this, you’re sniffing blood.
“It’s not a slam dunk, but they’re coming back to the pack something fierce with James McCarthy and Brian Fenton gone.”
Flynn reckons other Dubs veterans could yet call it a day.
The four-time All-Star added: “The mumblings that were going on last week were there were a couple of people who were going to be leaving.
“Names weren’t put out there, so there could be more to follow.
“If anyone was sitting on the fence and now Fento goes, they are just probably going to go because they would know how important a player he is to Dublin.
“I’d be surprised if there weren’t any more.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Dublin will not be the same force they were over the last decade. It will be a complete rebuild.”
Dublin’s county board hailed Fenton for ‘ten remarkable seasons’ in their statement.
The midfielder, who also claimed six All-Stars and was twice named Footballer of the Year, played his last game for Farrell’s side when the Sky Blues relinquished the Sam Maguire Cup with a quarter-final loss to Galway at Croke Park last June.
County board chairman Mick Seavers said: “Brian was an integral figure in the incredible success enjoyed by Dublin over the past decade.
“He is a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players to grace the field in a blue jersey.
“We thank Brian for his unwavering commitment to Dublin football.
“We wish him and his family all the best going forward and look forward to welcoming him back to Parnell Park as he continues to play with his club Raheny.”
