DUBLIN CAPTAIN STEPHEN Cluxton has stepped away from their senior football squad but has not retired, according to manager Dessie Farrell.
Stephen Cluxton after last year's All-Ireland final. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Cluxton was absent as Dublin began their 2021 championship campaign today with Evan Comerford between the posts for the Leinster quarter-final win over Wexford and Michael Shiel was listed as the sub goalkeeper.
Dessie Farrell told reporters after the victory that the star goalkeeper is focusing on his club at present and he is unsure whether Cluxton will rejoin their setup.
“The situation is very simple, Stephen isn’t with us at the moment,” said Farrell after the game.
Dublin boss Dessie Farrell before the game. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
“He’s gone back to his club and he’s just taken time to heal the body and maybe to regenerate the appetite.
“I don’t know to be honest whether Stephen will be back or not. But he’s not retired and he’s just stepped away.
“And I think we’ve spoken about it as a group, I think given the service he’s provided over the years, he deserves that respect and that time and space to make up his mind.”
Cluxton has been in goal for Dublin for the past 20 seasons, making his debut in 2001 and has become one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
He has won eight All-Ireland senior medals with Dublin, seven of them as captain, while his individual excellence has seen him win six All-Star awards and he was Footballer of the Year in 2019.
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Dublin boss Farrell says Cluxton has stepped away from senior squad but has not retired
DUBLIN CAPTAIN STEPHEN Cluxton has stepped away from their senior football squad but has not retired, according to manager Dessie Farrell.
Cluxton was absent as Dublin began their 2021 championship campaign today with Evan Comerford between the posts for the Leinster quarter-final win over Wexford and Michael Shiel was listed as the sub goalkeeper.
Dessie Farrell told reporters after the victory that the star goalkeeper is focusing on his club at present and he is unsure whether Cluxton will rejoin their setup.
Dublin ran out 0-15 to 0-7 winners in the game to advance to a Leinster semi-final against Meath, the draw for which was made this evening.
“The situation is very simple, Stephen isn’t with us at the moment,” said Farrell after the game.
“He’s gone back to his club and he’s just taken time to heal the body and maybe to regenerate the appetite.
“I don’t know to be honest whether Stephen will be back or not. But he’s not retired and he’s just stepped away.
“And I think we’ve spoken about it as a group, I think given the service he’s provided over the years, he deserves that respect and that time and space to make up his mind.”
Cluxton has been in goal for Dublin for the past 20 seasons, making his debut in 2001 and has become one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
He has won eight All-Ireland senior medals with Dublin, seven of them as captain, while his individual excellence has seen him win six All-Star awards and he was Footballer of the Year in 2019.
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Dessie Farrell Dublin GAA Number One Stephen Cluxton