Silly Season in Dublin?

[Declan]

STEPHEN CLUXTON is understood to be considering his inter-county future after a meeting in recent days with Dublin manager Jim Gavin. Cluxton met with Gavin and gave no assurances that he would make himself available in 2013.

Dublin's 2011 All-Ireland winning hero has been first choice goalkeeper since 2002 and even thoughts of retirement by the Parnells man would come as a shock to many.

Gavin is in the midst of putting the finishing touches to his 2013 squad and Cluxton's reluctance to commit has come as a bolt from the blue. There is still confidence, however, that he will not turn his back on what has already been a glorious inter- county career.

NEWS: BRYAN CULLEN will be surrendering the Dublin football captaincy as he takes a more extended break from the game, with Diarmuid Connolly emerging as one of the frontrunners to take over for the 2013 season.

While Ballymun Kickhams are celebrating their first Dublin football title in 27 years, they don't get to nominate the county captaincy – as is the tradition in most other counties. Instead, the choice will be made by new Dublin manager Jim Gavin, and Connolly, one of Dublin's best forwards in recent seasons, is being lined up as the likely replacement.

"No, our county champions don't nominate the captaincy," explained Dublin chairman Andy Kettle, "and I don't know if that tradition has ever been in Dublin.

"It will be decided by Jim Gavin, and his management team, although I'm not aware of any nomination yet. Jim hasn't even met the players as a group yet, only talked with a few individuals."

Kettle suggested that Dublin might actually appoint a temporary captain, at least for the O'Byrne Cup competition in January, as it could be as late as March before Gavin has the pick of his full panel.

Cullen will definitely be taking a more extended break from the game, as he's getting married on January 1st, and although only 28, the 2011 All-Ireland winning captain won't be rushing back into action until well into the league campaign, or possibly even later.

"That's what it's looking like," said Kettle, "with a few players taking a break or still out with injury. It is something we have looked at, and reckon it could be Dublin's league match against Mayo, in early March, before the full panel is available, when you consider the Sigerson Cup will also be happening up until then."

For Ballymun Kickhams, who claimed their first Dublin football title since 1985 on Monday evening, beating Kilmacud Crokes by a single point, there is still likely to be greater representation on Gavin's panel for 2013. Dean Rock, who was dropped from the panel prior to this year's Leinster championship, is a virtual certainty for 2013 after hitting 0-7 in that final.

So far however Paul Casey looks like being the only major retirement this year, after he announced his intention to step aside this weekend, after 11 seasons on the panel.

Whatever about Clucko retiring surely that rumour re Connolly is nonsense??? I'd never have seen him as captain material

[Tubberman]

Exactly - far too inconsistent and petulant to be a captain I'd have thought.

[cadence]

could do worse than have rory o'carroll as the new capt. awesome player, great temperment, intelligent footballer, i've never seen him mouth, just digs in and gets on with it. and he's young so has the added advantage of being someone who has plenty experience, who'll be around for a fair few years, but will still be able to adapt. super fit too and fits that modrin footballer mould.   

[Syferus]

I hope it's Connolly just for comedy value. Over/under on five yellows for the year?

[cadence]

I hope it's Connolly just for comedy value. Over/under on five yellows for the year?

dream on, never gonna happen. and i'd say over, but yellows don't really represent how wild a player is these days when there's a lot of tactical fouling stalling the play. you'd be expecting your players to sail close to the wind all season and pick up a fair few yellows. just the done thing these days.

[tyssam5]

'most other counties'? What counties apart from Kerry do the winning club nominating county captain thing?

[Orchardman]

'most other counties'? What counties apart from Kerry do the winning club nominating county captain thing?

yeh, most dont use it at all. I cant remember any ulster county using it in my lifetime. I think galway in football still use it, and i remember only 2 years ago the kilkenny and tipp captains didnt start the hurling final, they were both chosen by the winning clubs. Think tipp have done away with that since.

Connolly as captain, i cant believe that is even being mentioned, last man i would think of

[heffo]

Another far bigger story around Dublin football that hasn't made the papers yet but it's only a matter of time

[omagh_gael]

Another far bigger story around Dublin football that hasn't made the papers yet but it's only a matter of time

Charlie Raymond didn't leave the field when sent off in '95?

[theticklemister]

Another far bigger story around Dublin football that hasn't made the papers yet but it's only a matter of time

Charlie Raymond didn't leave the field when sent off in '95?

Well.......

[Tubberman]

Another far bigger story around Dublin football that hasn't made the papers yet but it's only a matter of time

When will it make gaaboard though, that's the question!

[heffo]

Another far bigger story around Dublin football that hasn't made the papers yet but it's only a matter of time

When will it make gaaboard though, that's the question!

Won't be coming from me anyhoo - I'm sure the papers will be hinting at it once they get wind

[theticklemister]

Well......no gaa papers over here in england my friend!!!

[seafoid]

Another far bigger story around Dublin football that hasn't made the papers yet but it's only a matter of time

Charlie Raymond didn't leave the field when sent off in '95?

He was working in his porn business in Soho in 1995 I thought

[mattockranger]

Gilroy babysat fellow Vinnies man Connolly over the years can't see him even making the dublin team under Gavin nevermind Captaining


Heffo spill the beans....take all the glory!