The county is still celebrating back to back All Ireland titles and it’s going to be a long time to wipe the smiles from the Dublin supporters.
But already some are already looking towards the 2017 season and one of the hot topics is will there be any retirements from the current squad ahead of the new season. the names of Denis Bastick, Stephen Cluxton and of course Bernard Brogan have been to the fore in the conversations.
All three are long time servants to the Dublin jersey and have represented the county with distinction throughout the long careers and nobody would begrudge them if they decided to hang up their boots and enjoy retirement from the game.
Bernard Brogan’s ommission from the starting 15 for the All Ireland Final replay against Mayo raised some eyebrows and further fuelled the talk of his retirement, some pundits and supporters throughout the season surprisingly questioned the Oliver Plunkett Eoghan Ruadh club mans form and at 32 years of age were asking if he still had what it takes at the top level of the game.
If anyone had any doubts about Brogan’s class and abilty as a player and if he still had anything to offer need look no further to the sublime point he scored when introduced on Saturday and he also looked sharp as he buzzed around the forward line with menace.
The four time All Ireland winner confirmed today that he is staying put, speaking to The Herald he had this to say, “I’ll play until i feel I’ve nothing extra to add and there’s others who can add more.”
Brogan went on to say, “I still think i have something to add to the team. “So i’m hanging around. I’m not going anywhere, unless Jim has other ideas.
It’s great news for Dublin ahead of the new year, it remains to be seen if Bernard will be a guaranteed starter, but if not, what a player for Jim Gavin to be able to unleash from the bench in the second half of games next season.
If Brogan is to adopt the super-sub role going forward and no one is saying that will be his position in the squad, he will do so for the good of the team, the player himself spoke about how he was “mature enough” to accept Jim Gavin’s decision to omit him from the starting team for the All Ireland Final replay.
“You have to do your bit for the team, i’m mature enough to accept that.” That maturity and experience will be vital for Dublin next season as they once again look to defend their title and no matter whether Bernard Brogan is a regular starter or an impact substitute from the bench, the former player of the year will have a big say in Dublin’s 2017 All Ireland title defence.