GAA legend suggests ‘huge issue' dating back 10 years behind Dublin downfall after latest gaelic football setback
ALAN BROGAN suggested a lack of schooling has led to Dublin GAA being taught a lesson.
The Sky Blues have had a difficult recent few weeks, with a number of their gaelic football teams suffering defeat in championship.
2
Dublin lost to Meath in the Leinster SFC semi-finals
Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
2
Alan Brogan explored the reason behind recent results
Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The headline-grabbing one was the seniors, who lost to Meath for the first time in 15 years in the Leinster SFC semi-final.
But there was trouble further down the ladder, with both their U20s and minors losing to Louth in the respective semi-finals.
It raised the alarm for Alan Brogan, who won three All-Ireland titles with the Dubs.
And he suggested a falling standard at schools level may be one of the root causes.
Read More on GAA
He said: "Disappointing results for Dublin seniors, 20's and minors in last few weeks.
"Difficult to pinpoint reasons for what seems like a drop off but I believe the drop-off in standard of Gaelic football in Dublin secondary schools in last 10 years is huge issue."
When one follower asked why he put more responsibility at the doors of schools rather than clubs, Brogan pointed to his own experience.
He added: "Most of my football between the age of 12 and 17 was played in school in St Declans.
Most read in Sport
"Huge stepping stone towards Dublin minors etc playing regularly against top schools in Dublin and Leinster."
Whatever the cause, senior football manager Dessie Farrell will be hoping his side bounce back in the All-Ireland series.
Owen Mulligan teases Lee Keegan over hilarious contrast in how their inter-county GAA careers ended
They have been drawn in the group of death alongside Connacht champions Galway, Derry, and the losers of the Ulster final between Sam Maguire holders Armagh and Donegal.
The
This gave the
Rob Finnerty, who helped the Tribesmen get their hands on the Nestor Cup yet again,
He said: 'All we were thinking about was winning another Connacht title. It wasn't ideal that they did the draw beforehand.
'Even this weekend after the Ulster and Leinster finals would be ideal, just do it on TV after.
'It doesn't really make much sense in my eyes, knowing where you're going to be and who you're facing.
'But I think we did a good job of just staying focused on Mayo and on winning a Connacht Championship.
'The double-header will only add to the occasion and hopefully as many Galway people as possible can get down to it.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
38 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
'Fantastic': Ireland boss pleased with Cathal O'Sullivan in first U21 start
Cathal O'Sullivan got his first start for the Ireland U21s as they drew 0-0 with a Qatar U23 side in a friendly played in Croatia on Tuesday. The Cork City teenager made his debut in Friday's defeat to Croatia, entering the game as a late substitute. Also against Qatar, goalkeeper Andrew Wogan made his first appearance, Shamrock Rovers defender Cory O'Sullivan earned his debut off the bench, and there were first starts for Cian Dillon and Jacob Devaney. "A really young team with a 17-year-old playing right back, which he was fantastic, Jacob Devaney," said Ireland manager Jim Crawford. "We had Cathal O'Sullivan who played 90 minutes, fantastic. Andrew Wogan in goal, very good. "There was a lot of pleasing aspects for individuals but what we need going into the (Euro 2027 qualifying) campaign is competitive players. Certainly here, players have sort of turned staff members' heads, if you like, to say, 'yeah, I'm ready to be selected for September'. "Cian Dillon, you know, worked hard and people have to remember that Cian turned down a holiday to Greece to gain two U21s caps. I'm sure he wouldn't change that for the world. He's done himself absolutely no harm at all, you know, so delighted for him. "This is one step away from the senior team. This isn't easy. Some of the players have probably been ever-present in squads, from 15s, 16s, 17s and so on. Now all of a sudden, when they gets to 21s, the player pool gets a little bit bigger. "We just need to be competitive in all areas of the pitch with regards to our squads. I'm happy with that. To bring up boys like Jacob, like Cathal O'Sullivan, like Andrew Wogan, a lot of really good, polished performances that we're delighted with." Ireland created plenty of chances against Qatar but were not clinical enough in front of goal. O'Sullivan and Jad Hakiki went closest for Crawford's side. "We did create lots of chances," said Crawford. "Lots of fantastic intricate play, individual play and lots of positives. "It's the first sort of clean sheet with the group, which is one positive defensively. It's been a little bit of a concern with the group so far. "The main learning from that game is that when you're on top in a game, you need to score goals. When we play Moldova, Andorra, Kazakhstan, it'd be probably similar where teams just drop off, looking to catch you on a counter-attack. "We got a lot of prep for September and October with the way Qatar were set up. People have to understand that it was a Qatar U23s team, so 22-year-olds; a few of those players played in their senior team."
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
GAA hopeful for Casement Park funding as part of UK Government spending review
THE GAA COULD receive some good news in relation to the long-running Casement Park saga as part of the UK Government's spending review. At around 12.30pm today, British Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil her government's spending review, which sets the budgets for UK government departments over the next few years. The UK Government has indicated that its spending review will be the juncture when it confirms whether or not it will make a financial contribution to help deliver the stalled plans to redevelop the derelict Gaelic games venue. It's been 12 years since a match was last played at Casement, the home of Antrim GAA. Casement Park has planning permission until July 2026 and it is hoped construction can start before then. Funding shortfall The Stormont Executive had committed to redevelop Casement Park in 2011, as part of a strategy to revamp football's Windsor Park and the rugby ground at Ravenhill. Advertisement While the two other Belfast-based projects went ahead, the redevelopment of Casement, which is currently derelict, was delayed because of legal challenges by local residents. General view of Casement Park stadium in Belfast Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo In the time since, the cost of redeveloping Casement into a 34,000 capacity venue has increased significantly. It has been planned that a redeveloped Casement Park would host games at the Euro 2028, but last September the UK Government ended these hopes when it said it would not bridge a funding gap to deliver the redevelopment in time. As well as the Stormont contribution of £62.5 million, the Irish Government has offered roughly £42 million (€50m) and the GAA has pledged to contribute £15 million. But it has been reported that the cost of the project has fallen to £270 million, still leaving a funding shortfall of about £150 million. Ulster GAA's CEO Brian McAvoy last week said he is 'hopeful' of receiving funding in the spending review but acknowledged that any funding would not bridge this funding gap. McAvoy noted that Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn had made clear last month that even if the UK Government does divert money to the project, the sum will not alone bridge the current funding gap. Related Reads How did the plan to redevelop Casement Park fall apart? Taoiseach: Irish government will 'work closely' with UK on issue of Casement Park Hilary Benn: Casement Park will be built 'one way or another' However, Sinn Féin vice president and First Minister Michelle O'Neill said last month that she is 'determined to see it over the line'. 'That means working with the British government, the Irish government, the GAA and all partners who are committed to ensuring that this project gets over the line,' said O'Neill. 'We missed a huge opportunity in terms of the Euros not being able to play and have our part in all of that, and the economic benefit that that would have brought to us all. 'I am determined to continue to work with everybody to ensure that the funding contribution is put on the table so that we can get on with actually building the project.' -With additional reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Nathan Collins shares new waters he's ‘never experienced' before as an Ireland player after bore Luxembourg draw
NATHAN COLLINS admitted last night's scoreless draw felt too much like an end-of-season friendly — but insisted the clean sheet was still a plus. The Boys in Green made it four games unbeaten in 2025 yet were unimpressive for the most part And Collins acknowledged that Ireland performed well below their own expectations. The captain said: 'Before the game, we didn't want it to be that last game, end-of-season friendly feel to it. We wanted to be not as passive and wanted to get after them more but we weren't at that.' Collins, an ever-present for Brentford in the Premier League, added: 'It's been a long season, I've been trying to push myself to the limit. "I'm physically tired, but I'm more mentally tired. I doubt I'm the only one in that boat. Read more on Irish football 'We've pushed ourselves to the max this season, away to Luxembourg, it's not an easy game. 'They played a really good game, they are very good, they pressed high and that probably hurt us as well. 'I know the passiveness was there but we still made them force things, we still defended in a nice solid way and made them go around us. 'Considering how we're nowhere near our best, we still dug out a clean sheet. But we all know that was nowhere near our best and we have so much more to give.' Most read in Football Collins hailed team-mates He said: 'We're lucky that it still carries momentum. The way we played we could have lost that. We didn't deserve to win but to sit in and defend the way we did, we didn't deserve to lose. Inside Arsenal's Ibiza holiday as Katie McCabe and teammates pop champagne to celebrate Champions League win 'Credit to Max O'Leary, he's been in the camp a long time and not got his caps but made two great saves. "Doc got a tackle in and Knighty was class in front. We weren't at our best but defended well, dug in and had our chances.' For Collins, that bodes well for the World Cup qualifiers in September when Ireland kick off against Hungary. He said: 'When we come back in in September we build on that. We have great momentum and we haven't lost in a few games. 1 The 24 year-old hopes to lead Ireland to a World Cup 'We know there is more things to work on and get better. Going in unbeaten in four into a qualifier, I've never experienced that. 'I can't wait for it. Fans will be at it. The bond we've created with the fans is great, I'm looking forward to be back in the Aviva, hunger straight off the bat, a massive game.' And Collins believes the past week — with He added: 'That's the whole point of this, you want players to come in, you want players under pressure for the next person. It's a great thing that pushes the next player.' On those absent, he added: 'It's going to be hard for them to get back in. We know we have a good squad.'
