‘A lot of teams will feel this is a chance to topple the Dubs’
BETWEEN lockdown, a winter provincial championship and with talk of whether an All-Ireland semifinal or final would even take place in Croke Park if no crowds are allowed, there are so many uncontrollable variables for new Dublin manager Dessie Farrell. Does Bernard Brogan think the champions’ six-in-a-row attempt will be harder than it was ever going to be?
‘Yeah. It’s going to be a challenge for everyone, but definitely for the Dubs. I think they’ll be up for it. That Dublin team is very resilient. Only myself and Eoghan [O’Gara] are gone. The lads are still there who know how to figure it out.
‘I’d say there are other teams looking at this year and seeing opportunity in it, there’s no doubt. The softer ground, Dublin could be playing on a different pitch, no fans – all these different variables. It will be a challenge but doing five in a row was a challenge. Never underestimate this group.
‘Dessie will have the lads well briefed. I’m sure he’s having regular chats, getting under the bonnet of how people tick. I think the extra time will definitely suit him so there’s positives and negatives to it.
‘Other counties will be energised by the variables – the unknown never helps the holder. The knock-out element will be epic.’
Brogan’s new book is titled The Hill, Dublin’s 16th man. While the Croke Park crowd has been such a living, breathing part of Dublin’s success, he can live with a behind-closed-door championship, if that’s the way it has to be.
‘Nothing beats a full house at Croke Park on All-Ireland day. Or any day. It’s magic and an experience you treasure. But would you not play if there are no crowds there? I think that would be madness. You play inter-county to represent your family, your parish and those fans. If they can’t get there because of the unforeseen circumstances of Covid, I don’t think any player will push against that.
‘It’s an honour to play for your county. Look at my challenges to play – I’d give my left arm to play. I spent two years trying to play five minutes or 10 minutes. Fighting for it. That shows what players will do to play for their county. I think every county player is like that.
‘I know it’s not ideal. Everyone loves the buzz of the big day, the fans as much as the players. And I’ll miss it if I can’t get in there. But for all of us ‘Gaels’ as Jim Gavin would say, to see football is all we want. To see Championship football. In the year that’s in it, it would bring such positivity.
‘I was very confident during the summer. Then had a wobble. With Plunketts, Raheny had a Covid case and we had to push the match out. They figured it out. We all got through it safe and sound. So the club stuff getting up and away and continuing has given me massive positivity that we’ll see an inter-county championship. And that there will be precautions and methods to ensure that if there is a case, they will be able to deal with them well.’