Ger Brennan’s decision to step down as Louth senior football manager may have caught a lot of people cold. Nowhere more so than in the Wee County. However, while folk in Louth might have their own theories – some of which may seem blatantly obvious – but it might not be as simple as that.
Naturally, speculation automatically veered towards Ger Brennan filling the newly acquired Dublin vacany, following the departure of Dessie Farrell from the capital hotset.
However, in this case, it might be worth keeping in mind the words of The Dubliners song The Four Faced Auld Clock in mind. Wherein, the everlasting advice to “Remember all is not what it seems to be”. Now read on…
St Vincent’s clubman Brennan being linked with the Dublin job is only natural. Not only due to the success he had had at club level before taking Louth football to their promised land after many had tried and failed.
On that very point, though, his departure as Louth manager may not be as directly linked to the Dublin job as some might think. The obvious answer is not always the right one.
The following is only a personal view, but one which sources at the foot of the Cooleys wouldn’t dissuade one from maintaining. Simply, that the former half back may feel he had taken his now former charges as far as was likely to be the case.
Players like Tommy Durnin, Ryan Burns and evn Sam Mulroy are at that point in their careers where the hour glass has less sand in it than more. Thus, the natural progression would seem to be that Fergal Reale would be the one to succeed Brennan given that he guided the border county to a Leinster U-20 title three days after Mulroy lifted the Delaney Cup.
And it would same fairly certain that stars of that success like Sean Callaghan, Pearse Grimes-Murphy, Tadhg McDonnell, Tony McDonnell and Adam Gillespie will – sooner rather than later – be elevated to the highest level of inter county active. So the obvious thing would be for their manager to follow on with them.
Just as Robbie Brennan has – admittedly in circumstances nobody saw coming – brought former Meath Minor and U-20 manager John McCarthy into his entourage, Reale’s ascent to the Louth senior setup would appear to be the natural process.
The same being the case with Ger Brennan and the Dublin job isn’t as clearcut. Yes, he has transformed Louth football – directly or indirectly – but being a poet among your own people is often a much bigger ask. No matter what he does now, the trailblazing Brennan will walk on water in the eyes of Louth folk forever more. And rightly so.
However, such is the level of success bordering on domination the metropoles have wielded over football for the best part of two decades that, heading into a third summer without Sam in 2026, the natives may well be growing restless and less forgiving than Ger Brennan would be deserving of. Just ask Mickey Whelan and Tommy Lyons. Even Paddy Cullen – Lord rest his kind and jovial soul – was thrown to the wolves when he didn’t find Mr Maguire after two campaigns in the trenches.
Now, since Dessie Farrell’s scarcely surprising departure from the Dublin job on Saturday evening last, the name of Declan D’Arcy of Aughawillan and Blanchardstown was among the first to be linked with the vacancy. Perhaps unsurprising given that he’s not that long removed from the scene having been part of Jim Gavin’s all conquering think tank.
That said, incredible though it may seem, it’s six – heading for seven – seasons since gentleman Jim stepped away to set about revolutionising Gaelic football to the nth degree. Has he what! Add to that the fact that a large swathe of the players Declan would’ve worked with have also departed the scene. Though that may not necessarily be a bad thing. No cliques, no baggage.
Yet not that far removed from the scene as to be out of touch with how the land currently lies. As was said in the piece printed in this space immediately after Dessie’s departure, in this writer’s view, Paul Curran would be well entitled to consideration.
There might be talk of either Pat Gilroy or Jim Gavin coming back, but, if I were either I wouldn’t touch such notions with a barge pole, if for no other reason than reputational damage which might manifest if things didn’t go well.
In all probability, it will end up being Ger Brennan who gets the claret jug or poisoned chalice, whatever way you look at it. Whomever does end up in the cockpit though, their choice of cabin crew may well be crucial as it could be a tricky trip back to where Dublin want to be.
Remember, sometimes all is not what it seems to be.
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