In the aftermath of Dublin’s defeat to Kerry last month, my gut instinct was that Dessie Farrell would step down as manager.
He had completed his three-year term and they were particularly difficult seasons to be involved with any team given the pandemic; the enjoyment factor just couldn’t have been there to the same extent and, Covid-related issues aside, there were a few other bumpy periods for him as well.
But, the more time that passed without his departure, the more likely it was that he was staying and so it proved as the news emerged earlier this week that he’s been granted another two years.
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Reading between the lines, I would think that he took plenty of time to reflect and talk to a number of senior players. It’s likely that he’s got a commitment from the likes of James McCarthy, Dean Rock, Mick Fitzsimons and Jonny Cooper for another year and, on that basis, is prepared to give it another go given how close they were to Kerry without Con O’Callaghan.
I don’t believe that the two-year term is particularly significant in itself. There might be another year in those lads, but I’m not so sure there’s two and they may all go together at the end of 2023 along with Dessie, depending on how the season pans out.
Added to that, the likes of Ciaran Kilkenny, John Small and Brian Fenton will all turn 30 on their next birthday. It looks like it could be one last stab at an All-Ireland for that core group of seven together.
Whether he can coax one or two others back is doubtful; the train seems to have left the station in relation to Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion.
The big worry for Dublin is the quality of the emerging talent. Lee Gannon was the only one to shoot his hand up in 2022 and Dessie will need to unearth a few more like him next year.
Division Two will be a less hostile environment for young players to find their feet with the likes of Limerick and Louth among their opponents. While Dublin may not be at the level they were a few years ago, they’ll still have enough to get out of Division Two with a developmental approach to team selection. The downside is that you may be getting a false reading before being exposed to higher quality opposition.
Albeit a change in structure is coming in 2023, Dublin will still need to win six games to regain the All-Ireland and, when it comes down to it, Dessie will ultimately be leaning on that same core group to bring him back to the summit.
As I see it, Kerry go into 2023 at the top of the pile with Dublin in a group just under them that includes Galway, Mayo, Armagh and Tyrone.
In order to elevate themselves above all of those come the business end of the season, Farrell will surely be prioritising freshening up his management team.
When you look at who he has had with him, it’s difficult to pick out who the elite coach is. The importance of the coach has become particularly pronounced in recent years, to the extent that the role effectively matches the status of the manager almost.
And a number of well-established managers have no problem going well outside the county for one, like Kieran McGeeney bringing Kieran Donaghy to Armagh and Jack O’Connor snapping up Tyrone’s Paddy Tally, which was a particularly big call in a county as suspicious of outsiders as Kerry are.
When I managed Dublin, Stephen ‘Ski’ Wade wasn’t a selector but he was an outstanding coach and someone that I leaned on quite a lot. His sessions were brilliant and I really valued his feedback on players. Does Dessie have someone like that?
Personally, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t bump up his coaching personnel as he is light on top class expertise in that area. In fact, I’d imagine he’s racking his brain on this one.
Declan Darcy is someone who was hugely respected by the group for his coaching during Jim Gavin’s time but, having just been hired by the IRFU, he’s not an option.
Looking outside the county may have to be explored. After all, if O’Connor felt that Tally could be the difference in getting Kerry over the line, it’s hardly beneath Dublin to go down that path.
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