DUBS IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Dessie is doing it his way as thoughts of reaching final are put firmly on the back burner
DESSIE FARRELL says Dublin won’t lose too much sleep over whether they’re in a League final or not as they took their number of players used in 2024 to a whopping 50 at the weekend.
Paul Mannion’s substitute appearance against Galway also brought to 30 the number of players who have seen League game time.
A victory over Tyrone at Croke Park next Sunday in the final round of their Division 1 campaign should secure a decider spot back at the same venue the following weekend.
But the message from Farrell in the wake of a hugely impressive 0-22 to 0-14 win over Galway at Salthill, where they made light of the conditions, was clear.
Next weekend’s Tyrone tie will be used to get game time into more seasoned players and to continue to run the rule over his loaded squad.
“We made a decision maybe after the second game that we were going to stop talking about League points,” said Farrell.
“Where we were in terms of the table and our status and relegation or League finals, so we haven’t entertained that since. We just focused on game by game and I think fellas just played each game as it comes.
“We’ll probably do that again for this one (Tyrone).
“I’d like to try some lads out and get some more game time into some lads that are coming back.
“We can afford to do that now, whether that sees us in a League final or not we won’t lose too much sleep over it.”
With regular starter Davy Byrne gone for the year, there’s a spot in the Dublin defence up for grabs.
Farrell has been treated to some impressive auditions from the likes of Sean Bugler, Sean Macmahon and Cian Murphy, among others.
Players generally have to bide their time with Dublin, as Farrell has options every other county manager would be envious of to keep players on their toes.
Farrell continued: “I think the days are probably gone where a young player would come from the under-20 ranks and go in (senior).
“They are fewer maybe than there have been because a few years ago it was under-21 level.
“They were a year older and it may have happened a little bit more seamlessly.
“It’s a big challenge now for young lads coming into senior, just out of 20s, so there is an element of having to figure it all out and find out what’s going on and serving your apprenticeship if you like. ”We might see one or two of them next weekend.”