Opportunity knocks for new faces

Opportunity Knocks for New Faces

The start of any season is an exciting time for players, managers and supporters alike but when a new management team begin their journey it brings that extra frisson of excitement. So it is with the Dublin footballers at the start of the 2026 National Football League as former captain and stalwart Ger Brennan takes over the management role.  

In an interview shortly after his appointment, the St Vincent’s man said he was very much looking forward to the challenge ahead and felt ‘very fortunate to have been given this opportunity to try to continue to build and add to the success of my predecessors.’

Indeed it would be remiss not to mention Ger’s immediate predecessor, Dessie Farrell. The Na Fianna man devoted over thirty years to Dublin GAA. Starting in 1992 as a player, winning an All-Ireland title and All Star in 1995 and going on to captain the team.

Dessie then became involved with development squads and managed the Dublin Minors to an All-Ireland title in 2012, their first in 28 years. He repeated this feat with the U21s twice, in 2014 and 2017.  Dessie took over the senior reins in December 2019 and delivered Sam Maguire in 2020 – a record sixth title in a row for the Dubs – and again in 2023 with a famous victory over old rivals Kerry. 

Dessie’s achievements as a player, manager and coach at all levels over so many years are hugely appreciated and it’s fair to say he has the good wishes of all involved in Dublin GAA in his future endeavours. Go raibh maith agat, Dessie. 

Largely in keeping with tradition, Ger has named a number of former Dublin team mates in his management team.  Dean Rock, Denis Bastick and Stephen Cluxton will bring their vast knowledge and experience to the table and will also be joined by Professor Niall Moyna from DCU.

With Ger announced as manager on the day the Dublin Senior Championship commenced, the new management team were immediately busy attending games and looking for potential talent to add to the squad for 2026.  

The search was not confined to the Senior championship as potential players were looked at in all of the adult Championships.  The regional tournament in November also offered a window of opportunity for players to stake a claim in the upcoming squad.  

Clubs were also afforded the chance to put forward players for consideration, with Ger acknowledging the positive collaboration as management try to unearth and develop the next generation of Dublin senior footballers. In all management looked at over 130 players from 36 clubs, from Division 1 down to Division 4

The O’Byrne Cup tie against Laois in Ratheniska in early January gave management the first opportunity to look at a number of new faces in a competitive fixture.  In what was very much a new look Dublin panel the players acquitted themselves well and secured a three point victory, 4-14 to 1-17.

Ger spoke positively about the recruitment after the game, “It was great to see that initial recruitment phase come to fruition with a decent enough performance in large parts and a victory over Laois today. 

“You're looking for newer faces to step up. Maybe some players who have been on the panel previously who might not have got as many Championship minutes or League minutes as they would have liked. So you're giving them another look there today, during the O’Byrne Cup phase to see how they progressed and to see if they've developed. So that's pretty much the main aim of the pre-season competition.”

It was again an inexperienced panel that travelled to St Conleth’s Park a week later to take on Kildare in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final.  The Dubs led by four points at half time thanks to a late first half goal but Kildare came back strongly in the second half to claim the victory.  Again it was a useful outing for the Dublin panel with a total of 23 players getting game time. 

Ger now clearly has his sights set on the National Football League and first up it is defeated All-Ireland finalists, Donegal.  The Ulster men enjoyed a successful pre-season winning the Dr McKenna Cup with a comprehensive victory over Monaghan in the final.

The League throws in after a really exciting season of club football.  The new rules are now well established and certainly seem to be making Gaelic football more exciting with more emphasis on attacking play and scoring.  

Clearly the teams that have adapted best to the changes are those enjoying the most success. The introduction of the two point score in particular is having a huge influence on games. The solo and go has also brought a much higher tempo to games. By and large the changes have worked very well and have made for a much better spectacle. 

So between the new rules and our new management team and a host of new faces, these are very exciting times for Dublin football. Ger and his team have left no stone unturned in the search for new talent and we will no doubt have a lot of young men who are keen to impress and be part of the next Dublin success story.  

Not forgetting either that we still possess a wealth of talent with multiple All-Ireland medals between them. Hopefully the combination of fresh talent and our proven warriors will deliver Dublin back to the top of the pile.  

Ger and his management team can be sure of one thing. They have the full support of everyone in Dublin GAA as they begin their journey.

Go n-éirí an bóthar libh.