‘Will He Stay?’ – Ciaran Whelan Questions Dessie Farrell Future After Dublin Loss | Balls.ie

The 2024 All-Ireland Championship has come and gone for defending champions Dublin who – after a resurgence under Dessie Farrell 12 months ago – will miss out on the semis for the first time in 15 years.

The dominant force in Gaelic football since they crossed the line in 2011, Dublin could not channel their trademark late surge as they were beaten by Galway last weekend.

Winners against Kerry in the final last summer, Dublin had called on most of the men who played a key part in their historic five-in-a-row but were unable to keep Galway at bay in a thrilling quarter-final this time around.

Change is expected at the county, with a number of senior players expected to retire from intercounty action following the defeat.

Stephen Cluxton (42), Michael Fitzsimons (35) and James McCarthy (34) are among Dublin’s more experienced players, with nine All-Ireland titles each, and there is inevitably speculation surrounding their futures.

Dublin manager Dessie Farrell fuelled that speculation after the defeat, claiming it could be ‘an end of an era’ for some of his squad members.

Ciaran Whelan questions Dessie Farrell future

Former Dublin footballer Ciaran Whelan has speculated that the trio of nine-time winners could call time on their careers, while also questioning whether Farrell will be there next season.

Whelan indicated that the manager – who guided the senior team to the Sam Maguire Cup in 2020 and 2023 – had been persuaded to stay on in the hotseat prior to this season while speaking on the RTE GAA Podcast.

I think Dessie touched on it – two or three will definitely go,” Whelan said.

“Will Dessie stay is the other question mark?

“I think he might have been persuaded to stay on. He has come in after Jim Gavin which is a very tough task and has delivered two All-Irelands and whether he has the appetite and the drive to hang in there?

“You also have to consider that the core of the team (is getting on). I look at that grouping of (Jack) McCaffrey, (Paul) Mannion, (Ciaran) Kilkenny, John Small and Brian Fenton – all 31 pushing on 32. They have dragged this group along and have been central to all the success and they are not getting any younger.

“It is only natural when they have had all that success, is the drive and appetite going to be there to come back to the well?

“It is going to be an interesting few months for Dublin.”

Farrell signed a contract extension last autumn that is provisionally due to keep him in charge until the end of next season.

However, he did say they will ‘all take stock’ after their sobering setback against The Tribesmen.

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