DESSIE Farrell says Dublin’s bid to regain the All-Ireland title is underpinned by an intriguing ‘father-son’ relationship within his eclectic panel.
From forty-something goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, and eight-time medallists Michael Fitzsimons and James McCarthy, both in their mid-30s, to relative rookies like Dáire Newcombe and Lee Gannon, boss Farrell said his panel has developed into a ‘student-mentor’ set-up.
That curious dynamic was emphasised throughout the National League, when Farrell handed game-time to greenhorn players like Greg McEneaney, David O’Hanlon, Ross McGarry and Ben Millist.
His Championship panel has had a more familiar look, particularly after persuading Cluxton, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion to return from retirement.
But there remains a streak of youth within the group and Farrell, who guided many of the current players to All-Ireland minor and U21 wins in the past, said there is no suggestion of a ‘last dance’ for the present group.
“There hasn’t been that conversation,” he said.
“There’s definitely a really good sense in the group, with so many younger players coming in and bringing the energy, rejuvenating the older lads, that there’s a sort of a father-son situation going on, or a student-mentor thing, with that dynamic in place.
“It’s been very interesting to watch that and the conversations that have been had around tables or laptops. Those chats are brilliant to hear from a manager-coach perspective.
“Sometimes the worst thing you can do is to interfere with that. That’s where there’s great learning but there’s also great connection. The older lads definitely want to help set these young fellas on the right path.
“They’ve appreciated, or got a sense, that others before them have passed on their knowledge and supported them when they were in that situation. Now, it’s their turn to pass on the baton, if you like.”
Chief among those leaders in the Dublin team, according to Farrell, is captain James McCarthy, “probably the greatest we’ve ever had”.
In a glowing tribute to the man who could become the first outfield player to win nine All-Ireland senior medals having started each of those finals, Farrell described him as “the most low maintenance individual you could come across. Yet every day he’s like a lion out there.”
Pat Gilroy’s leadership behind the scenes has been important too, the 2011 All-Ireland winning manager and former Dublin hurling boss agreeing to a backroom team role for 2023.
“Over the years as minor manager, U21 manager and even as senior manager, you’d be bouncing stuff off him and having conversations,” said Farrell.
“He was always willing to help and support.
“I thought getting him in in the background would help because, with the best will in the world, when you’re outside, it’s difficult to understand the dynamic. You’re not really coming from a place of true knowledge.
“So we wanted him on the inside and, when we asked him could he give us a dig out from time to time, he said he would.
“He wouldn’t be able to commit 100 percent of the time but when he’s around, he’s great. He’s a really good support for players and myself and the coaches, yeah. He’s a unique character on top of all that too.”
Gilroy managed the Dublin team that beat Kerry in 2011, the county’s first All-Ireland success since 1995. It kick-started a glory era of eight All-Ireland wins in total in 10 years.
It is fitting then that after two years of disappointment, it could be another win over Kerry that puts Dublin back on top.
“I’m always conscious that there’s never fairytale endings,” said Farrell.
“So to us, it didn’t matter who reached the final. It could have been Derry. It didn’t really matter. We got our job done. We’re on to the last one now and there’s a job to do there again.”
Still, Farrell conceded that it is easier to prepare for the challenge of Kerry than, say, Derry.
“It actually is,” he nodded.
“Because brilliant and all as Kerry are, there’s a more traditional approach to their set-up than Derry. Even for us the last day, with Monaghan’s set-up, it’s a difficult puzzle to find solutions for. Particularly with the ‘keeper coming out and creating overloads and manipulating your engagement. That’s a new departure in the game and it’s going to be a very strong feature in the game going forward.”
