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Dublin's Ger Brennan clashes with Donal Vaughan of Mayo and is sent off. INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Keeping The Head

Jim Gavin: 'It's not indiscipline in the squad'

The Dublin manager does not believe the recent dismissals his side have incurred are a major issue.

DUBLIN BOSS JIM Gavin admits Ger Brennan’s actions in getting sent-off against Mayo last Saturday were ‘not acceptable’.

The St Vincent’s defender was shown a red card during Dublin’s victory in Croke Park and will miss out on tomorrow’s Division 1 top-of-the-table clash against Kildare.

Gavin revealed Brennan’s kick at Mayo forward Michael Conroy, who was lying on the ground, was disappointing but defended his reaction in the aftermath when he became  involved with opponent Donal Vaughan.

“It’s not acceptable. I spoke to Ger afterwards when we reviewed it.  Ger accepts the penalty that he received from the CCC. I thnk it’s fair.  He kicked the ball but the player was on the ground.  There is no need for it.

“In terms of his high forearm. He just stood his ground.  He was charged by a player.  What else was he to do, otherwise he would have suffered a blow.

“Kicking the ball on the ground, that’s the one that disappointed me. But Ger has apologised to the squad and he’s just thankful that they rallied hard to beat a very good Mayo side.”

Gavin does not agree the dismissal – Dublin’s third in the last four games after Denis Bastick and Michael Darragh MacAuley were sent off earlier this year – is indicative of discipline issues in their squad.

“No, not at all. Look, Mayo had three yellow cards in the game and we had none. So it’s not indiscipline in the squad, from talking to them and observing them closely, it’s not an issue.

“I’m not going to make excuses about any of them, it’s completely unacceptable but I don’t see it as an issue.”

Dublin manager Jim Galvin. Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan

The Dublin manager is also confident they can cope without Brennan at the heart of their defence for tomorrow’s clash.

“Ger was playing well, I acknowledge that. He was playing very well but he’s lost the position because of indiscipline, so one other player will get a chance this weekend.

“There are a lot of good guys playing football there. Nicky Devereux had a great campaign with DIT in the Sigerson, so he’s in the mix.

“There are lots of defenders who have played well for their clubs during the championship as well so there’s plenty of cover for that position. We’ll give slots to guys who are playing good football.”

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