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St Vincent's captain Ger Brennan lifts the cup. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
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Suspension was a tough pill to swallow for St Vincent's Ger Brennan

The Dublin centre-back sat out St Vincent’s run to the Leinster final but was back to help them triumph on Sunday against Portlaoise.

HE WAS FORCED to watch on as St Vincent’s reached the AIB Leinster senior club football final but Ger Brennan was back in time for glory on Sunday in Tullamore.

Seeing red early on in last month’s quarter-final tie against St Loman’s meant Brennan had to watch on for the rest of that game in Mullingar.

The Dublin centre-back was then suspended and sitting in the stand for their semi-final clash against Summerhill.

Brennan confesses freely that he’s not a fan of watching games and on Sunday he was grateful to seize the chance to be back in action against Portlaoise.

“It’s very tough watching games. I won’t lie, I’m not good for going watching games. It’s not something you really want to do. I’m only there if I’m involved, coaching kids in school or supporting the team on the sideline when I’m not playing in a league game.

“You just want to get back in and start back training again and get stuck back in. It is a challenge from a mental perspective not just physical. Mentally, it’s the biggest obstacle to overcome.

“When you’re back at the club there’s always an onus on the county lads to up things. Very often lads on teams can depend on the so-called county stars. I’m not saying myself and Diarmuid are but that’s generally the vibe that’s out there. But our lads don’t care about that stuff.”

Brennan admits it has been a ‘brilliant and surreal’ year after the club provincial success adds to his achievements with Dublin.

“It’s brilliant and surreal in many ways. Words don’t do justice to the achievement. Maybe in a couple of years looking back I’ll have an opportunity to enjoy it better. I’m going to enjoy it. I’m not going to think too far ahead.”

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