Former Dublin player Ciarán Whelan has expressed uncertainty regarding the future of Dublin's players and Dessie Farrell's future for the 2023/2024 season.
In the recent All-Ireland Final, Dublin secured a victory over Kerry with a score of 1-13 to 1-15. However, the current Dublin team has several players who are on the other side of 30, including James McCarthy, Dublin's captain, along with Micheal Fitzsimons, Dean Rock, and others like Stephen Cluxton.
Dublin faced two successive All-Ireland semi-final defeats in 2021 and 2022 before bringing back players who played a crucial role in their six-in-a-row triumph. Dublin's manager Pat Gilroy was also brought back to lead the team. The descion to bring back the likes of Cluxton, McCaffrey and Mannion worked as Dublin were able to win another Sam Maguire title.
Given their triumph over Kerry in the final, it would be understandable if some players decided to retire. Both McCarthy and Fitzsimons have stated that they are uncertain about their plans for the upcoming year.
Another significant factor is Dessie Farrell's future with the All-Ireland champions. Ciarán Whelan believes that Farrell's decision could have an impact on the older players within the Dublin team.
Dessie Farrell is due to remain in charge of Dublin for at least one more season. However, there has been speculation that he could step away on a high. If that happens, Ciarán Whelan anticipates a few veterans leaving with him. #rtegaapodcast pic.twitter.com/fwxCF1DrBJ
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) August 2, 2023
"The first real issue is whether Dessie stays," Whelan stated. "You got a sense that everyone was back for one push, but when you digest it, and the energy they will get off this, will they be asking of there is potentially another one [All-Ireland] in us?" he added on the RTÉ GAA podcast.
He further remarked, "They [Cluxton, McCarthy, and Fitzsimons] all started, they all finished the game. They look in as good a shape as they have ever done. I’d be a little bit concerned if one goes, two, three, four go."
Whelan believes that the decision heavily relies on Dessie Farrell's choice, as starting anew with a new regime at their age could be quite challenging. If Farrell and his coaching team decide to stay, Whelan sees a better chance of Dublin retaining these experienced players for the next year. This, he claims, would be the determining factor in the team's future.
"I’d be a little bit concerned if one goes, two, three, four go," he added. "My gut is that it really comes down to Dessie’s decision…when you get to that age and you start with a new regime that can be challenging in its own right.
"If Dessie and his team stay on, I think there is a better chance of Dublin carrying those players into next year. That would be where I see the key swinging point."
