Dublin GAA Discussion Thread: Mod Note - No 'Dublin Dominance' chat allowed!

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122797583#Comment_122797583

Never seemed to age because his mind was always a few steps ahead of everyone else. Great positional sense. Oozed composure. Would be interesting if he gives management a go to see how he gets on.

corny

Brilliant player in every facet of the game. Can't remember him having a bad or even average season in all the time he's been involved.

eire4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122797866#Comment_122797866

I often think the word legend gets thrown around a bit too easily sometimes but there is zero doubt that James McCarthy is just that an absolute legend not just of Dublin GAA but of the game period.

Charlo30

An absolute Rolls Royce of a player and the heartbeat of that Dublin team. You enjoy your retirement James. You owe Dublin Gaa nothing

Did you smash it

John Small gone MAGA I see

thesultan

What does that mean?

Trampas

I heard small wasn’t going to come back last year

bren2001

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122810655#Comment_122810655

if you look at his twitter, he’s re-tweeted a load of pro-Trump stuff.

While I dislike Trump, Small is a GAA player and I couldn’t care less who he supports politically.

JRant

Massive blow for the team and completely out of the blue. Wish him all the best in the future. He is a Rolls Royce of a player.

https://twitter.com/IrishTimes/status/1858643712428900584?t=IaoDrlKYkhQnc1s5twyRsA&s=19

ledwithhedwith

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855349#Comment_122855349

what a horrible shock this is haha

rrs

There was some talk that he might be taking a break for a year but didn't expect him to retire at 31. Was the hunger gone or just can't commit?

blowitupref

Big shock that, at 31 perhaps he think the new rules aren't for him.

From the Irish times.

Dublin's Brian Fenton makes shock decision to retire

Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the game, the shock decision will leave void in Dessie Farrell's team

The 31-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the game, will not be involved with Dessie Farrell's squad after making the shock decision to step away.

Fenton's retirement will reverberate well beyond the capital as the two-time Footballer of the Year remained one of the top players in the country, and following his displays in this year's championship he was again nominated for an All Star.

The seven-time All-Ireland winner made his Dublin senior debut in 2015 and over the last decade developed his game to become a standout player on Dublin's All Ireland winning teams

With James McCarthy announcing his retirement only two weeks ago, and speculation that Stephen Cluxton might not be returning, Dublin fans were hoping the likes of Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny and Con O'Callaghan would lead the dressingroom in the years ahead.

However, Fenton has now also decided to walk away – leaving a big void in the heart of the Dublin team.

The decision of the six-time All Star to retire will come as a huge disappointment to all Gaelic football fans and leaves Farrell facing a significant rebuilding job down the spine of his Dublin team in 2025

copacetic

Doubt very much it has anything to do with new rules, if anything they looked like they would suit him greatly. Presume it’s career, family, travelling based.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122855693#Comment_122855693

Exactly as soon as the new rules came in I was envisaging more Fento long range shots. Bit of a sickner the midfield is fecked now. As if it was not weak enough already. Still had not found a consistent partner in midfield for Fenton as it was.

MFPM

Didn't see this coming, big blow to the team with no obvious replacement. I suspect Fitzsimons is going to go too. It could be a tough 2025.

manofwisdom

Huge blow to Dublin's chances/hopes of regaining the All Ireland in 2025.

In the past Jim Gavin could introduce 2010,2012,2014 and 2017 U21 All Ireland winner into the senior starting team and making any transition period smooth. No U20 All Ireland for Dublin since it became U20 in 2018 and Last four years Dublin U20s didn't even win Leinister so the same talent and quality coming through clearly isn't there right now.

billyhead

Massive blow to the team. With Cluxton and Mick Fitz likely following that's a huge loss in experience and leadership.

rolling boh

Seemed to have been a lot of talk about Brian stepping away alright but now that's it official ,it's a huge blow to us.Talk of a couple of others as well so despite all the rubbish talk about a never ending supply of top players we are going to be firmly back in the pack over the next few years .There is a huge rebuild on the cards by the looks of things .

Quiet Achiever

Absolutely fantastic player. Even as a non Dub you couldn't but admire him

But I did feel his temperament changed over the kast few seasons. He appeared a bit grumpy. Went from a squeaky clean golden boy to someone with a bit more aggression, but maybe that is just something that happens as you become a more senior player and are in a more protective role to your younger team mates.

thesultan

Was the benchmark for every team . How do.we stop Fenton?

Trampas

Maybe a 12 months time he might change his mind and just needs a break. More hope than anything. Always seemed in control and calm on a ball. A huge hole to fill and currently we don’t have the goods to fill it. Wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few more

muddle84

Huge loss to Football as a whole with those two retiring. No doubt McCarthy has to go down as one of the all time greats. I really enjoyed watching that Dublin team playing on the occasions I got to watch them as a neutral, McCarthy especially!

I wouldn't expect an announcement from Cluxton like the last time he left the panel so he may already be gone. I expect McCaffrey is already gone as well.

C__MC

Class player, he controlled the all ireland in 23 and was just a wonderful player. Not much left to achieve, 7 all Ireland two footballer of years.

dunnerc

Best of luck Brian , thanks for the memories .

Krazy gang

What a player in full flight. As a non dub it would break your heart when he lined up a shot from 35 yards as you knew where it was going. Couldn't help but admire him though.

Next few years you could see different all ireland winners which would be great

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856060#Comment_122856060

I would say bit of frustration with the teammates/ players around him. Basically as time went on he was forced to do more on as the standard of play dropped. Really opens up championship now he was that good.

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856773#Comment_122856773

Fenton and Cluxton are the two certainties for any greatest ever Gaelic Football team. What a ten years he has had, nobody comes close.

When the going got tough, Fenton got going. He was the one who you could rely on to win that midfield ball when the match was at stake or kick the long-distance point. A true great of the game.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122856688#Comment_122856688

I was just thinking when Raheny played Kilmacud in the Dublin club SF couple years ago in extra time, Fenton did that much running for Raheny he started dropping points short. Which was very unusual for him, normally over the bar from way out with a bit to spare.

Whelo will have to come out of retirement the way things are going! Plenty of teams should be able to have a cut at Dublin now. Will be interesting to see how Louth fare if they face Dublin again. Ger Brennan has them bubbling along nicely.

The White Feather

The Dublin Ladies Football manager Mick Bohan has stepped down

https://www.rte.ie/sport/womens-football/2024/1123/1482578-bohan-steps-down-as-dublin-manager/

MacDanger

What's the story with Parnells? Seems like a sad way for the club to end up

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2024/1127/1483385-dublin-gaa-club-surrenders-clubhouse-and-pitches/

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122892909#Comment_122892909

It was entirely self inflicted and the result of financial irregularities that would make the Anglo lads blush, allegedly…

Awful for the member's and players that a handful of people have ruined the club.

Rain from the West

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122894996#Comment_122894996

The alarm bells were being rung it seems back as far as 2013. Astonishing that this was allowed to continue on for so long. The GAA top brass should be investigating this IMO.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/a-spectacular-reversal-of-fortune/28955015.html

leath_dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122895668#Comment_122895668

This line jumps out from that report by Dermot Crowe:

"Parnells' new complex, in the club's natural heartland in Coolock, is being promoted in brochures as The Chanel, a leisure and hospitality venue"

A lot of club stalwarts were unhappy about the direction the club was going and many of them moved on. The primary focus seemed to be on the corporate side of the club

More information here.

Where is the accountability, who was the chairman and treasurer who signed this off, who was on the board? Were they financially illiterate? This was just after the states biggest every crash and they acted like it was 2007 pissing away a clubs once in a lifetime fortune. Those who signed this off seem to have been given a free pass, they should be dragged up in front of one of those dail committees and made an example of.

• Signed a 99 year lease. The stupidity of it.
• Why did they need 4 star level of hospitality, its a gaa club in a non affluent part of dublin. A good bar and outsourced restaurant paying its own bills plus a little back to the club is what was needed.
• Made a contractually commitment to build a €1m facility for the land onwer which is what caused the land to be handed back.
• Who are the Marist Order? They did super out of the deal, got €11m into their bank, retained the right to use the land, now have their land back, now have fully developed pitches, now have a clubhouse that looks to have cost €10m.
• Parnells won nothing.
• Enriched a load of non Dublin fancy dan players who laughed at the club while pocketing lucrative kick backs and put in feck all effort. Look at all of these players that joined them, all above average players from poor footballing counties, they were overated and only stood out because their team mates were average and only signed for Parnell's because most other players didnt have their greed.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/i-cant-believe-parnells-paid-around-11m-for-a-leasehold-how-doomed-dublin-gaa-club-squandered-225m-since-2008/a1214938940.html

https://archive.is/8K91A

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122939136#Comment_122939136

Cluxton ended up preffering to play with the Parnell's second team at that time, because they were his mates he grew up with!

It was madness all round, how not to run a club.

Was mayo's conor mortiner managing the place? From his linkedin he claims he was "General Manager Operations" with the following responsibilities. No wonder the place went the way it did both the results on the pitch and the finances.

• Providing leadership and management to the business and fully responsible for the day- to-day running of various departments. Focused on developing programmes that deliver efficiencies and playing a leading role in the mobilisation, development and implementation of robust operational processes.

• Directing various business departments to ensure the smooth running of the company. Resolving contractual and commercial issues and disputes.

• Trainng and leading a large team, providing discipline and performance feedback. Developing positive direct relationships with key business contacts.

• Scheduling workload to meet priorities and targets.

• Possessing personality, energy & charisma to inspire, lead and develop staff. Using automated computer systems to monitor stock control.

• Analyzing complex data and documentation. Involved in the recruitment and mentoring of new staff.

• Responsible for achieving all performance related targets. Ensuring that best practice is followed in safety, legality and quality of service. Developing and supporting a cross functional culture of continuous improvement. Assisting company accountants in the formulation of forecasts and budgets. Maintaining excellent relationships with clients and suppliers. Undertaking staff performance reviews.

• Using advanced management information to improve provision and timetables and cope with fluctuations in demand

• Writing monthly and weekly reports and preparing cash projections for centre owners or more senior management

• Tasked with increasing usage of Function room and Sports Pitches on an on-going basis

• Signing of weekly cash sheets/wages for all club staff

• Monitoring all departments including Gym, Bar and restaurant and function room.

• Overseeing P & l sheets weekly for whole club

• Managing all 50+ staff on a regular basis

skilachi

Lads. Kerry v Dublin

In Tralee on 15th Feb. All Trains fully booked up coming back on the 16th . Its a Sunday. Any chance they might put another 1 on.

gormdubhgorm

After all the chat of Parnell’s shameful years. It is great to see two well run clubs Cuala and Na Fianna flying in both codes. In particular Na Fianna spreading the hurling “gospel”.
Will be interesting to see if translates to intercounty, and the dual lads go for hurling over football? Especially as the footballers look bound for a drop in success for the next while. It is funny start of year if you said Cuala won Dublin and Na Fianna won Dublin. I would have assumed Cuala- hurling, Na Fianna - football.

KerryM9

Any word on Cluxton yet, the normal window for announcements is closing

muddle84

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122964945#Comment_122964945

Do you expect him to make an announcement? Doesn't seem like his style! He didn't announce it when he walked before.

gormdubhgorm

So Parnells are finally f**ked.

https://extra.ie/2025/01/10/sport/gaa/parnells-liquidated-dublin

It like a film or something, in fact a film or investigative documentary should be made of IMO. To put the spotlight on those who lead it to this point. Amazed it is not covered much more because things went seriously wrong very fast.

Sultan of Bling

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123042033#Comment_123042033

God only knows what went on.

Everybody has heard the stories but I'd say it's just the tip of the iceberg.

billyhead

I reckon there was a lot of brown envelopes passed around.

Stationmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123042033#Comment_123042033

Not from Dublin so not very familar with the story bat what's being in the papers the last few years. One obvious thing that jumped out at me though - obviously a state of the art clubhouse and pitches were developed - who's using them now? And, any more details on the Marist Society that got he €11m for a long leasehold and all their land back?!

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123043090#Comment_123043090

Chanel College use them -

https://www.chanelcollege.ie/facilities

"Chanel College is honoured to be in partnership with Parnell's GAA  Club which is located just metres from the school. 

Following it's recent €22 million development, Parnell's boasts the most modern sports facilities in the country. These include:

• flood-lit all weather pitches
• A fully equipped gym with a sports therapy centre and changing rooms

Students at Chanel college have access to the facilities for the duration of the school day from 8am to 5pm. ​

In it's pursuit of excellence, the Sports Department at Chanel avails of these amazing facilities to run a fulfilling and enjoyable PE programme and hugely popular and successful extra-curricular activities for all it's students."

big_drive

Does that mean the club finishes as a gaa club? No more teams, etc

Or just from a commercial viewpoint?

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123043628#Comment_123043628

I noticed Parnells website no longer is up. I assume it is end of story, unless a group of them decides to reform under another name and play wherever. I feel very sorry for Stephen Cluxton. He stuck with them, no fuss about him. Could have fecked off to a more high profile club but never did.

big_drive

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123047000#Comment_123047000

Id feel more sorry for their ordinary players. At least Cluxton has Dublin which was basically a full time gig. I've seen a lot online mention he hadn't any great involvement in the club last few years. What would be the likely club for these players to now transfer to? Between juvenile and adult would they have big numbers now left without a club?

billyhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123047081#Comment_123047081

Probably O'Toole's as their the nearest.

Fatnacho

Would they not be better off now amalgamating all the clubs in the area and pooling their resources? You have Parnells, Monica’s, Innisfails, O’Toole’s and Trinity Gaels within a 5km radius of each other and all of them struggling for various reasons.
The area is crying out for a decently run large club that can cater for both codes at all all levels.
Considering the size of D5/D13/D17, there’s very few players making it through at county level from there.