FOOTBALLER OF THE Year Alan Brogan believes winning the Sam Maguire last September was a monkey off Dublin’s back but says he is unsure about what exactly it means for the future.
The St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh forward, who celebrated his 30th birthday last week, spoke of the relief after beating Kerry by a single point and claiming their first All-Ireland title in 16 years at the launch of Setanta Sports’ coverage of the Allianz National League yesterday.
“It was probably hanging over us for a number of years,” Brogan said. “How it will effect the team is hard to say at the moment though.
We have that weight off our shoulders but was it helping us perform or a noose around our neck? I’m sure it’s something Pat (Gilroy) has thought about and we’ll find out over the next couple of months.
“I’d like to think that we can now go on and express ourselves a bit more without that fear of losing, but maybe it was that fear that was driving us on.”
Dublin host the Kingdom at Croke Park for a replay of that final as part of a double-header with Kildare and Tyrone on February 4 and Brogan is hoping to play some part as he has recovered from injury.
A knock to his knee in the annual Blue Stars challenge match on New Year’s Day prevented him from participating in a number of training sessions in January but he played for Plunkett’s in the Dublin AFL1 semi-final against Na Fianna last night and will train with Gilroy’s panel on Tuesday having declared himself fit.
“The Kerry game will be a big occasion in Croke Park – any footballer would want play in that type of match. If I’m picked (I will play). I might be on the bench and get a few minutes anyway.”
Tactical
On how the sport has become increasingly tactical in recent years, Brogan added that players just have to accept the changes to their game and adapt.
“There’s no question the game has gone very tactical. Defending is just as important as attacking now,” he said.
“When I started playing, forwards didn’t really have to think about it but now there is just as much emphasis, if not more, going into it.”
Setanta begin their live Allianz National League coverage with Dublin v Kerry, Kildare v Tyrone and Down v Donegal on Saturday, February 4
