A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
Dubs boss Dessie shared Div.1 title with Kerry but now he’s gunning for the sole bragging rights
DESSIE FARRELL is one game away from his first ‘proper’ Division 1 League title as Dublin boss.
Farrell’s Dublin did share the Division 1 title with Kerry during covid when there were groups of four and no finals.
The Na Fianna man has landed two All-ireland titles in his four years in charge and a Division 2 title (2023), where they defeated Derry in the decider.
Twelve months later the same two sides will contest the Division 1 final at Croke Park, next Sunday. Farrell says Dublin’s challenge is “to continue to evolve while staying very, very competitive.”
They’re currently achieving that with the likes of Lee Gannan, Colm Basquel, Paddy Small and Sean Bugler now regulars – and Tom Lahiff pushing very hard.
The next crop are impressing too, including Ross Mcgarry, Killian Mcginnis, Cian Murphy, Sean Macmahon, Daire Newcombe. Lorcan O’dell and Theo Clancy. You should have at least one eye on what’s coming in the future,” said Farrell.
“It’s very easy to get stuck in the here and now and just worry about winning games or worry about the season as a whole. But I think there’s an onus on us all to cultivate the next generation. Some of those lads stood up well and have grasped the opportunity.
“They still have a bit to go and they’ll be the first to admit that. It’s been great to get some game time into a number of them this season.”
All-ireland minor and under21 winning Dublin manager
Farrell says that bar his first year with the capital seniors this is probably the most competitive squad he’s had.
“2020, there were still a lot of the older, more senior and experienced guys around then,” he continued.
“But we lost a good few over the coming years. “So it’s good to see. I think we have a good blend. I’ll put it to you that way.
“We still have some of those senior elder statesmen in the mix and young fellas that we’ve brought in this season and particularly in the last two seasons.
“They’ve been serving their apprenticeship in good fashion and getting closer to the mark that’s required to operate at this level. Because it’s a huge step up from club or from under-20 to compete out there, particularly in Championship football.”
Farrell says he’s always trying to figure out if he has more players he can trust in the white heat of the All-ireland knockout series.
“That’s what next weekend (against Derry) will do as well,” he added. “There’ll be another couple of lads who will get road tested. We’re still finding out as we go. “That’s the name of the game at this time of year.
“From the management perspective, a coaching perspective, you’re astutely aware of that sense of trust in a player can you trust them to do a job at the right time?
“The only way you’ll ever find out is by giving them exposure. That’s what we’ve tried to do, by seeing how they get on in those types of challenging situations.
“Some of them have done very well and some of them still have a bit to go for sure.”
There is an onus on us at Dublin to develop