ALAN BROGAN ADMITS that this ‘probably’ will be his final season with the Dublin senior footballers but has returned with the explicit aim of landing another All-Ireland title.
Brogan’s Dublin future was uncertain in the wake of last year’s loss to Donegal and only made his 2015 debut in a recent challenge match against Galway.
“At this stage of my career, I’m coming back to try and win an All-Ireland. Look it probably will (be my last year). That’s probably something I’ll decide come the end of September hopefully. As each year goes pass it does get harder and harder.
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“It didn’t work out the way we wanted last year but we saw in the past, it has proved very difficult to put All-Ireland’s back to back. When you win the All-Ireland, it might paper over some of the cracks that are there.
Cracks
“But it’s not until those cracks are exposed, you don’t really understand them and I think that the game against Donegal did expose some of our weaknesses that we needed to sort out.
While I’m still fit – obviously I’ve had a couple of bad injuries – I still believe I can contribute to the team in some shape or form.
“That was really the reason I wanted to come back.”
Alan Brogan with his son Jamie and his childhood hero Mick Galvin at yesterday's Super Valu 'Kits for Kids' initiative. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
The birth of Brogan’s second son in March diverted his focus away from football but he is grateful to have had an accommodating manager in Jim Gavin.
““I think Jim understands that in order to get the best out of yourself on the pitch, the rest of your life has to be in order. He was supportive like that.
“He knew that I had to be at home when I was having the new baby. Maybe he gave me a bit of leeway that other fellas might not have gotten and I’m obviously grateful for that. Now hopefully I can repay that.
” I’m probably not in bad shape. I probably do still have a bit of work to do to get to the same level as some of the other guys. But maybe at 33, I just won’t get to the same level as some of those guys.”
What persuaded Alan Brogan to return for another season with Dublin?
ALAN BROGAN ADMITS that this ‘probably’ will be his final season with the Dublin senior footballers but has returned with the explicit aim of landing another All-Ireland title.
Brogan’s Dublin future was uncertain in the wake of last year’s loss to Donegal and only made his 2015 debut in a recent challenge match against Galway.
“At this stage of my career, I’m coming back to try and win an All-Ireland. Look it probably will (be my last year). That’s probably something I’ll decide come the end of September hopefully. As each year goes pass it does get harder and harder.
“It didn’t work out the way we wanted last year but we saw in the past, it has proved very difficult to put All-Ireland’s back to back. When you win the All-Ireland, it might paper over some of the cracks that are there.
Cracks
“But it’s not until those cracks are exposed, you don’t really understand them and I think that the game against Donegal did expose some of our weaknesses that we needed to sort out.
“That was really the reason I wanted to come back.”
The birth of Brogan’s second son in March diverted his focus away from football but he is grateful to have had an accommodating manager in Jim Gavin.
““I think Jim understands that in order to get the best out of yourself on the pitch, the rest of your life has to be in order. He was supportive like that.
“He knew that I had to be at home when I was having the new baby. Maybe he gave me a bit of leeway that other fellas might not have gotten and I’m obviously grateful for that. Now hopefully I can repay that.
” I’m probably not in bad shape. I probably do still have a bit of work to do to get to the same level as some of the other guys. But maybe at 33, I just won’t get to the same level as some of those guys.”
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Alan Brogan And He's Back Leinster SFC GAA Dublin