Dublin football should stay together

Former Dublin footballer Eamonn Fennell feels that splitting the current Dublin side into a North and South divide is a bit of a ‘cop out’ from other counties. 

With the ‘Drive for Five’ complete its hard to see anybody stopping Dublin anytime soon. Dublin have been on a relentless streak, winning six out of the last seven Sam McGuire titles. When will their reign stop?

The Dubs have won Twenty-Nine All-Ireland Titles, closing in on Kerry who have the record with 37 titles. In this year’s final, Kerry pushed Dublin to the limit as they managed to get a draw in the Final, forcing a replay. Kerry gave the champions a fierce challenge, although in the replay, Dublin won by six points in a classy performance. The victory highlighted their dominance, making they seem unstoppable. Eamon Fennell, the former Dublin Footballer told the Liberty: “The only time I can see the reign of dominance coming to an end is probably when Jim Gavin decides to step down from management” 

Despite a slightly below par National League campaign, Dublin looked untouchable in the Championship. They walked through the Leinster Preliminaries with ease before accounting for their main challengers like Kerry, Tyrone and Mayo, all in convincing fashion. In the future, Kerry are the closest threat to Jim Gavin’s men. “Kerry are a young team and they got close to beating us in the Final this year and once they mature, they’ll be a different animal,” admitted Fennell.

Some people have called for the capital to be split into two teams, Dublin South and Dublin North. They believe it will make for a more competitive National Championship. From the starting team that played in the Final replay this year for Dublin, nine players were from the North Side including Brian Fenton, Brian Howard and captain, Stephen Cluxton, among others. There were only six players starting from the southside which included Con O’Callaghan, Paul Manion and Michael Darragh Macauley. With the like of Cormac Costello, Diarmuid Connolly, Bernard Brogan all other options for the northside.  “Well, it would just be a North Dublin Vs South Dublin final then,” laughed the ex-county man.

Some pundits have called for the split to happen, with The Sunday Game panellist Colm O’Rourke being one of the main drivers. “I think that’s just a cop out by others, Dublin have set the bar and it’s up to other counties to match it,” Fennell replied when asked on his thoughts on the issue.

There is no doubt about it, this Dublin side is one of the greatest sporting teams of all time in Ireland. This side could go on and win more trophies, especially with Jim Gavin at the helm. An unprecedented ten Championship’s in a row might not be past them.