NEWLY-CROWNED Footballer of the Year Brian Fenton has a remarkable record – he’s yet to lose an inter-county championship match, having made his debut in 2015, and has been a key figure in Dublin’s four-in-a-row All-Ireland success.
Yet the Raheny man doesn’t always win All-Ireland finals.
Rewind to 2007 and his club U14s were playing O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt in the football Feile decider, a game which was broadcast on live television.
Fenton ended up on the losing side that day, his team beaten 2-6 to 2-3 at Carrick-on-Shannon, although he did his best to prevent that outcome.
One of the men who was part of the Rossa U14 management team in 2007 was Philip Kerr, someone who is widely respected within the GAA for his knowledge and experience of player coaching and development.
Kerr recalled: “Brian Fenton was captain of the Raheny Feile team in 2007 and he drove them on from midfield.
“My abiding memory of the final was with a minute to go we were three points up and Raheny had two shots on goal.
“The first was a shot taken by a player off his right foot. Our ’keeper saved it and then the rebound, a left footed shot, was deflected onto the post. Brian Fenton hit both shots.
“So even at that very young age and in the early stages of his footballing career Brian had the ability to play with both feet and the courage and conviction to step up when his team needed him.”
Fast forward to Saturday night and the popular choice as Footballer of the Year renewed acquaintances with the Rossa club at their annual youth prize-giving.
This year was particularly special for the south Derry club with their boys and girls both winning their respective All-Ireland Feile finals.
Enda Quinn, Youth Development Officer at Rossa said: “We were honoured to welcome Brian Fenton to our club awards evening.
“The fact that Brian took the time out of his busy schedule after winning Footballer of the Year 2018 on Friday night is a measure of the man.
“Brian provided our children, parents, and coaches a fascinating insight into his love of football and what it takes to be the very best in the country.
“Brian was exceptionally modest and is a great role model for our young people in how he conducts himself both on and off the pitch”.
