DUBLIN’S GER BRENNAN has announced his retirement from intercounty football.
Eamon Fennell indicated on Twitter this morning that his St Vincent’s clubmate was calling it a day with the Sky Blues and the news has been confirmed by Brennan via a statement issued by the Gaelic Players Association.
Brennan hadn’t lined out for Dublin since the 2013 All-Ireland final victory over Mayo and has been blighted by recurring injury problems since then.
Last July, Brennan stepped away from Jim Gavin’s Dublin squad because of an Achilles problem and he won’t be coming back.
Brennan, an All-Ireland senior medallist in 2011 and 2013, will continue to line out for his club and he returned to action with St Vincent’s on Saturday as the champions marched on in the Dublin SFC against Ballymun Kickhams.
Brennan, 30, came off the bench to make his senior championship debut for Dublin against Laois in 2007 and went on to become a regular in the centre back position.
He will also be remembered for this memorable speech marking the St Vincent’s victory in the AIB All-Ireland club football final in 2014, when Brennan was hailed by equality groups for mentioning ‘boyfriends and girlfriends’ of the players on the Hogan Stand podium.
Brennan confirmed this morning: ”It is with both satisfaction and sadness that I announce my retirement from inter-county football.
“I am sufficiently satisfied that I have fulfilled my boyhood dreams to wear the Dublin Senior Football team jersey and to achieve success on and off the field of play.
“I also feel sadness that a particular journey of my life is coming to a close, and I will miss everything that is associated with representing my county.
“While the public might measure a team’s success by the trophies raised, I feel I have won far more through the life-long bonds and friendships I have developed with so many players and management throughout my career; and for these I am truly grateful.
“I have been fortunate to have played for Dublin every year since I was 13 years of age and it has immeasurable enhanced the quality of my life.
“I would like to thank the many people who have influenced my personal, spiritual and sporting development to date.
“Thanks to Jim Gavin, Pat Gilroy and Pillar Caffrey for placing their faith in me to wear the senior jersey.
“To my club, St. Vincent’s and the many coaches and volunteers who dedicated themselves to my advancement, thank you. A particular thanks to Mickey Whelan, a close friend and a mentor, whose blueprint permeates the person I am today.
“To the Gaelic Players Association for their continued interest in my wellbeing and development, thank you. And to the Dublin County Board and the Dublin supporters, a sincere thank you for all of the support throughout the years.
“Finally, I would like to thank the Dublin players, my friends, my family and especially my parents, Mary and PJ, for always been there for me through good times and in bad.”
Le gach dea-ghuí a chairde go léir,
Ger Brennan.
