PREVIEW: Dublin v Monaghan- Allianz Football League

Despite losing their first two matches, former Dublin selector Brian Talty feels there’s no need for the Dubs to press the panic button as they take on Monaghan in Round 3 of the Allianz National Football League in Croke Park on Saturday evening (7.00).

Successive defeats to Donegal and Mayo have left Dublin marooned at the bottom of the table alongside Monaghan, leaving both teams under a degree of pressure ahead of next weekend’s encounter.

However, while a win would be most welcome on Saturday night, Talty feels that Dublin’s focus at present if of a longer-term variety.

“While you always like to win games as it builds momentum and also gives confidence, especially to the new players in the panel, I think that the management team will be using the league to try to add depth to the panel.

“You are always trying to work on things at this stage of the year and it’s important to try out new lads.

“It is only by selecting the new lads and giving them a chance to impress that you find out who is able to make the step up to senior intercounty football from their club teams or underage panels.

“That means that results might not always be positive ones as you experiment with your selection but that’s perfectly understandable at this time of the season,” said the former Galway midfielder.

Of course, injuries haven’t helped Ger Brennan in terms of the options available to him in 2026 with both Lee Gannon and Theo Clancy ruled out for the foreseeable future from the Dublin defence.

Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne has also been missed at midfield while Con O’Callaghan’s absence from the Dublin attack was keenly felt in the Mayo defeat, despite the return to action of both Cormac Costello and Ciaran Kilkenny. 

“It is tough on Ger that these lads are missing at the moment,” conceded Talty.

“Ideally, you would have the bulk of the panel available at this stage and you could gradually reintroduce players back to action as the league progresses.

“Having those injuries has probably meant that Dublin have fielded teams with less experience than they would possibly like, especially as you’re trying to put structures and plans in place for the rest of the year.

“Lots of lads haven’t been seen yet but with the Ballyboden St Enda’s players due to return soon, that should help in terms of options.

“You would also be slightly concerned with the appetite that some of the established players have at this stage of their careers.

“Motivation can be hard to find when you have a few All-Ireland medals in your back pocket and if some of those experienced players are lacking the drive of previous years, you wonder where the leadership will come from.

“Monaghan might have lost their two games so far but they will be a tough test on Saturday.

“I think people need to be patient in terms of where Dublin are at present as the league is the best time to learn but a win at the weekend would be good to see in terms of giving confidence to the new players,” concluded Talty.