Eight-time All-Ireland champ to take year off
DUBLIN will defend the Sam Maguire without Davy Byrne after Dessie Farrell revealed yesterday that the eight-time All-Ireland winner is taking a year out to travel.
Byrne started in the final against Kerry last July, and had established himself as a pivotal part of Farrell’s side, after proving himself a durable defensive option in the glory years under Jim Gavin.
‘He’s in Australia and won’t be participating in the Championship this year,’ said Farrell. ‘That’s been on the cards for a while with Davy.’
Farrell was speaking after the reigning All-Ireland champions eased themselves into the new year with victory in the O’Byrne Cup.
They defeated Offaly by a point, 0-11 to 0-10, while fielding an unrecognisable team as Farrell marshals his resources before the Allianz League resumes in less than three weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, Niall Sludden is the latest Tyrone AllIreland winner to depart after announcing his retirement from the inter-county game last night.
After eight seasons in the jersey, and a career which peaked with an All-Ireland winner’s medal and All-Star in 2021, Sludden has confirmed his time in the Tyrone colours is at an end.
He joins Ronan McNamee in leaving before the new season, which Tyrone get under way in the McKenna Cup in a match with Donegal today.
‘It was a very tough decision to make to be honest,’ Sludden said yesterday to the Tyrone website Teamtalkmag.
‘I discussed it with Brian (Dooher), Feargal (Logan, the joint managers), my family and some former players, and they all said the same thing – take your time and make the right decision. You are a long time retired.
‘During the club season and shortly after it I thought it was perhaps the right time to bow out. Having mulled it over, I’m happy enough and content that I have come to the right decision.’
Sludden was a middle-third player deployed to telling effect by Mickey Harte and later, Dooher and Logan, with his game reaching a high level of effectiveness in 2021.
He was accomplished on both sides of the ball, and played his first All-Ireland final in the comprehensive defeat Tyrone suffered against Gavin’s Dublin in 2018.
‘When we did get over the line in 2021 it was just unbelievable,’ said Sludden.
‘All the hard work and sacrifices that you put in with the lads, it was all worthwhile in the end.
‘We were so driven to do it, and it was just so special for everyone.
‘Going back to the local primary schools after it and the buzz around the county made you think this is what you do it for, not just for yourself, teammates and family, but for all the supporters both young and old.’