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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brian Fenton set for unexpected gaelic football return this summer – but Dublin GAA legend won't be playing in Ireland
BRIAN FENTON is set for a return to club football this summer - but not in Ireland, according to reports. The seven-time All-Ireland winner announced his inter-county retirement last year. 2 Brian Fenton retired from inter-county football last year Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 Brian Fenton is set for a move to America Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile And the six-time All-Star will will put the boots back on again after jetting off to America. It comes after The Read More on GAA The special day took place at the popular Cloughjordan House in Co Tipperary. Mother Nature threatened to put a dampener on the occasion when it started to rain on the newlyweds. Thinking quickly, the Ballymun Kickhams man expanded an umbrella to protect the bride from the conditions. Sharing a photo of the moment to his Instagram Story, the 32-year-old joked: "Things I do for these two". Most read in GAA Football He Alongside a series of photos from his decorated career, the Raheny man said: "Words will never suffice to explain the privilege it has been to represent this county. Tipperary GAA star 'had to do live apology on RTE' the day after cursing during All-Ireland interview - "Proud of that kid for chasing his dreams". Following his retirement, Dublin GAA described Fenton as "a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players". Former teammate Ciaran Kilkenny, meanwhile, His absence left a massive hole that Dublin struggled to fill, with Dessie Farrell's Their The result came as a shock to most outside observers, but was predicted by former star Paul Flynn, who In the immediate aftermath of Fenton's retirement, Flynn told "I would go as far as to say they will be under pressure in Leinster. 'If they had lost four or five players, I still believe they could have built a competitive team with Fento in midfield. 'You could actually regenerate the squad with him there because he's so good he'll at least have a presence in midfield, fill in a couple of centre roles and carry a couple of players.'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin great Brian Fenton set to make gaelic football return in America
Dublin great Brian Fenton is set to play his summer football in Chicago. The seven-time All-Ireland winner has signed for John McBride's GAA Club in The Windy City, according to Mayo News. And the 32-year-old is expected to line out this weekend in a clash with the Wolfe Tones in the Chicago GAA Championship at Gaelic Park. Fenton retired from inter-county football last year after a trophy-laden career with the Dubs. Widely recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he was an integral part of a Dublin team that won a historic six All-Irelands in succession between 2015 and 2020. The Raheny man won six All-Star awards and was named Footballer of the Year on two occasions, in 2018 and 2020. There will be many Dublin fans hoping that a summer in Chicago may reignite Fenton's appetite for another stint in blue.
Irish Daily Mirror
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
How Meath downed Dublin at the tenth attempt to end Leinster 15-in-a-row bid
A lot of factors go into an historic victory like Meath's Leinster semi-final triumph over Dublin at the weekend. Doggedness, heart and having a gameplan, as referenced by Robbie Brennan after Meath's shock win, are vital. But plenty of external factors combined with the planets aligning for Meath to inflict Dublin's first Leinster Championship defeat since 2010 - and end their bid for 15-in-a-row. They include the new game dreamed up by the Football Review Committee, the worm turning at underage level, the Croke Park factor, Dublin's retirements and more. We take a look at how Meath finally downed the Dubs in Championship football at their tenth attempt: APPOINTMENT OF ROBBIE BRENNAN Colm O'Rourke wanted another three years as Meath boss to go with the two he had already served. But Meath chiefs took a bold and brave decision to cut a county legend with a newspaper column loose, knowing there would be a backlash from many quarters. With Meath beaten by an average of almost 13 points per game in last year's All-Ireland round robin and averaging just under 12 points per game, something wasn't working in year two for O'Rourke. They were also beaten in Leinster by 16 points by Dublin. Brennan had led Kilmacud Crokes to a hat-trick of Dublin and Leinster titles, adding an All-Ireland (2023) and he started with a bang, as Meath won four of their first five games, including a hugely impressive victory over Roscommon. But when coaches Martin Corey and Joe McMahon left the set-up - still unexplained - the pressure was on. Perhaps this ultimately galvanized Meath to produce what they did in Portlaoise last Sunday. Brennan handled that situation particularly well. DUBLIN RETIREMENTS It was a trickle that turned to stream and then into a tidal wave as James McCarthy was followed out the door by fellow Dublin legends Brian Fenton, Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and Michael Fitzsimons. That's over 40 All-Ireland medals. Fenton in particular has proved a massive loss as he played every minute of every match, and would have been ideally suited to the new game. The dogged determination and leadership of McCarthy and Fitzsimons has also been sorely missed. Mannion would have been Dublin's best two point shooter and McCaffrey's pace to break lines is also a huge loss. THE FOOTBALL REVIEW COMMITTEE (FRC) The irony that six-time Dublin All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin headed up the committee that turned the game upside down - a game the capital side were very good at - won't be lost on a lot of Dublin fans. And the double irony is that Dublin have struggled to hit two pointers all year. In the Gavin era shooting from those areas and with the outside of the foot was strictly forbidden. It just never happened. The loss of Paul Mannion and Brian Fenton hasn't helped with two point shooting. Ciaran Kilkenny didn't look comfortable on the two pointers last Sunday, missing two, while Cormac Costello missed a routine enough 40 metre free with a strong breeze at his back. Con O'Callaghan has added two pointers to his game, but not many others have. On top of this, the more chaotic, less structured style of football in the new game certainly suits Meath, although saying that, they had no stupid shots into the breeze in the second half, with their game management after the break one of the keys to the win. THE CROKE PARK FACTOR The word is that Meath were given the chance to play Dublin at Navan in last year's Leinster quarter-final, but turned it down to go to Croke Park. What a bizarre decision and one they were hardly in a position to make. Last Sunday was the first time they played Dublin in a Championship game outside Croke Park since 1980 - and they won, after nine successive Leinster defeats at GAA HQ since 2010. The great Dublin team were well able to play out of Croke Park, but if Meath had encountered them at other Leinster venues, particularly Navan, over the past 15 years they might not bear the deep psychological scars of so many heavy beatings. The Leinster Council will be happy today, but they have to take some responsibility for allowing this to happen to their biggest football competition. This year Dublin won their Croke Park league games by an average of 6.33 points. Outside Croke Park they lost by 9, 8 and 4 (against Tyrone, Armagh and Donegal). They beat Kerry by one on the road and struggled to beat Wicklow in Aughrim in the Leinster quarter-final, winning by five points in the end. Would Meath have won this game if it was in Croke Park? Maybe not, but we'll never know - and although people will say it doesn't matter, it does. Lessons have to be learned by the GAA. THE NET WIDENS Robbie Brennan spread the net far and wide. Bryan Menton thought he was retired, but after a two year hiatus came back in at 33 to start every game this year. Brennan's Dunboyne club mate Seamus Lavin spent three years in Canada, but after playing with his club last year returned to start for Meath again. His pace and physique makes him important to Meath for one on one defending. Ratoath midfielder Jack Flynn returned after taking last year out, although he was injured for the weekend win. These three big, powerful men have added to Meath's armoury, while Na Fianna's Sean Rafferty has been a huge addition as the type of dogged marking defender fans love. Colm O'Rourke did blood the likes of captain and vice captain Eoghan Frayne and Ciaran Caulfield, the promising Ruairi Kinsella and Brian O'Halloran, and it's standing to Meath now. FEEL GOOD UNDER-20S FACTOR Don't underestimate the value of success at under-20 level. With two All-Irelands in the last three years, that's what makes Tyrone so dangerous this year - and even more so next season. Cathal Ó Bric's Meath under 20s are the current Leinster champions and are back in another final, where they face Louth tomorrow night at Newbridge. From last year's under-20 side Robbie Brennan brought Jack Kinlough and Conor Duke straight into the senior starting line-up. That helped with Meath's depth. When this year's side finishes up, it would be no surprise if powerhouse forward Jamie Murphy comes in. It's a pity for Meath football that the outstanding Eamonn Armstrong is going to Australia and Conor Nash is already there. With those two they'd be bang in business with the big sides. Meath have some serious two point shooters coming at under-20 level if they can guide them through. On top of that, Louth have beaten Dublin in the Leinster semi-final in the last two years. The worm is turning at underage level - for a while at least.
The Irish Sun
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
It's been 15 years since Meath beat Dublin in football championship – Leinster semi-final might be their best chance
FIFTEEN years since we last recorded a Championship win over Dublin, the hope in Meath is that the gap separating us from the old enemy might be beginning to close. After all, any team would be weakened considerably by losing players of the calibre of Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Mick Fitzsimons, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey. 2 Graham Geraghty previewed the Leinster semi-final between Meath and Dublin 2 It's been 15 years since Meath beat Dublin in the championship Credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE With that in mind, every county probably sees a greater opportunity to claim a rare win over Dublin. And teams will take plenty of heart from how Oisín McConville's side were in that game for long periods and Looking at the Dublin team on paper, they might not be the daunting proposition they once were. Still, any team that can field the likes of Con O'Callaghan, Ciarán Kilkenny, Seán Bugler and Brian Howard is still extremely formidable. Read More on GAA While I will not be going so far as to forecast a Meath victory, this certainly seems like their best chance in quite some time of getting the better of Dublin. But the Royals will go nowhere if they replicate their first-half performance against Offaly last time out. Let there be no doubt whatsoever that the Dubs are still capable of blowing you out of the water before the half-time break if met with feeble resistance. In Meath, we would obviously love to revive the rivalry that existed with Dublin in the 1980s and 90s. But the performances have to do the talking for that to finally happen. There was obviously a bit of upheaval in the Royals camp when Joe McMahon and Martin Corey left the management ticket fairly abruptly after the National League. Most read in GAA Football What really happened there is something I am sure will come out in the wash at some stage. I have not heard of any replacements being brought in and you cannot deny that losing two of the best coaches in the country leaves a huge void. Oisin McConville urges GAA to ditch big rule change mid-season after controversial ending to Championship clash Nevertheless, things seem to have settled down now on that front and the second-half performance against Offaly gave them something solid to build on. But with several hefty beatings by Dublin including last season's 16-point hammering still fresh in the memory, Meath are going to have to be at their very best just to stay with their opponents, let alone have a chance of beating them. Jordan Morris is an enormous loss for Meath so there will be an onus on others to step up. But Mathew Costello is a huge asset and has the attributes that could hurt Dublin. Costello is the type of player who can change a game on his own in the space of five minutes. Bringing more consistency to his game is now what he needs to go to the next level. This could be an ideal chance for him to prove he's ready to kick on. Conor Duke is another player I really like. He has the ability to land two-pointers in his locker and Meath will probably need quite a few of them to stay in the game in Portlaoise. HOME COMFORTS Getting Dublin out of their home pitch certainly will not harm Meath's chances either. As we saw in Aughrim last time out, they are more vulnerable away from Croke Park. This will be a great test for Meath to gauge where they stand. If they can stay with the Dubs approaching that final quarter, anything could happen thereafter. A first win over the Sky Blues since 2010 probably still seems slightly out of reach for now but we live in hope. Tullamore hosts the other Leinster semi and having had a difficult year so far on the injury front, Louth still have a great chance of making the provincial final for the third year in a row. Sam Mulroy's return from injury ahead of schedule is a huge shot in the arm for Ger Brennan's charges, who I fancy to edge a tight game. While they did not shoot the lights out against Laois in the quarter-final, the Wee County were very impressive in their last NFL game as they picked up a win over Meath that ultimately kept them in Division 2. Kildare do not belong in Division 3 so it was vital that they addressed that as quickly as possible. Their performance in the final against Offaly was hugely disappointing but they gave a great account of themselves in their Championship opener by beating a Westmeath side who I expected to have their number. Based on where the two teams are in terms of their development, Louth probably need this win more. After contesting an All-Ireland quarter-final last summer, missing out on another summer of Sam Maguire football would be detrimental to them. A young Kildare team under new management have time on their side and Tailteann Cup success might be more beneficial to them for now than being beaten in a Leinster final. In Clones last weekend, I expected Donegal's margin of victory to be wider than two points. And who knows what might have happened if Monaghan had beaten the hooter by taking that sideline ball a second or two earlier? But they should certainly have too much today for Down, even though this is a free shot in many ways for Conor Laverty's men as they punched their ticket to the 2025 All-Ireland series by lifting the 2024 Tailteann Cup. After Down won the last Championship meeting of the teams, it says a lot for the impact that Jim McGuinness has had on Donegal that the Mourne men are 9-1 outsiders to repeat the trick just two years later.
