Dublin football fans are reeling on the back of the retirements of legendary players Brian Fenton and James McCarthy in recent weeks.
At 34, McCarthy’s move didn’t come as a huge shock but Fenton’s decision was more of a surprise, given that he’s three years younger.
Former Dublin player Paul Flynn said that it changes things for the Dubs, even making the Leinster championship a big challenge for them, despite having won the last fourteen titles in a row.
“I would go as far as saying they will be under pressure in Leinster,” Flynn said on the Second Captain’s podcast.
“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.”
“Okay, it’s not a slam dunk, but they’re coming back to the pack something fierce with James McCarthy and Brian Fenton gone,” he added.
Words will never suffice to explain the privilege it has been to represent this county.
Proud of that kid for chasing his dreams 💙 pic.twitter.com/9LsASrWiEc
— Brian Fenton (@BrianFenton08) November 23, 2024
Dublin fans fear that there may be more retirements to come with speculation surrounding the futures of the likes of John Small, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Stephen Cluxton.
As things stand, the loss of Fenton and McCarthy means that Dublin will have to find a completely new midfield in 2025, with the likes of Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Killian McGinnis among the hopefuls.
New Meath manager Robbie Brennan and Kildare player Kevin Feely discussed the Dublin retirements on RTÉ’s coverage of Cuala-Tullamore, the Leinster senior football semi-final on Saturday night.
“There’s not a team in the country who’s not a little bit happy to be hearing that news,” said Kildare midfielder Feely.
“They’re players who are still, very much at the top of their game.
“It lights a fire for the teams in Leinster as well, that potentially, Dublin won’t have the same experience and potentially not the same quality that James McCarthy and Brian Fenton brought, which was the highest possible quality.”
‘I hope more retire’ 😭 – Meath manager Robbie Brennan reacts to the news that Dublin footballer Brian Fenton has followed James McCarthy into retirement pic.twitter.com/za39mMpukF
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 23, 2024
Former Kilmacud Crokes boss Robbie Brennan said with a laugh that, from a Meath perspective, he hopes more retire.
“People like Brian Fenton…they’re probably irreplaceable. I hope more retire, from a Meath perspective. But I think if you’re in Dublin club football, you see there’s plenty of talent there so I wouldn’t be shedding too many tears for them yet.”
