The expected retirements of Cluxton, McCarthy and Fitzsimons will bring an end to the 2011-2024 Dublin dynasty that won nine All-Irelands, but the might of Dublin football is going nowhere despite their Championship exit in this year’s quarter-final
Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton leaves the pitch following his side’s defeat to Galway in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park. Photo by Sportsfile
There are two inescapable truths to come from Galway’s one-point win in their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win last Saturday. First, that result was the death knell for this Dublin football dynasty as we’ve known it for the last decade and a half. Second, Galway dethroning the All-Ireland champions does not signal the demise of Dublin football.
These are two quite distinct things, and anyone dancing on the grave of Dublin football since that somewhat seismic result on Saturday would do well to temper their schadenfreude. After all, three times in the last 15 years – 2012, 2014 and 2021 – a Dublin team, reigning as All-Ireland champions, was beaten only to come back the following year (twice) and within two years (once) to reclaim the Sam Maguire cup. Suffice it to say, the Dubs will be very much in the conversation in 2025 when it comes to drawing up a short-list of genuine All-Ireland title contenders.
