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Could Dublin handle a Michael Darragh MacAuley injury? James Crombie/INPHO

The five players Jim Gavin's Dublin could not do without

We all know about their strength in depth, but here’s the lads they can’t do without.

THE DUBLIN SENIOR football team has brought strength in depth and squad rotation to a whole new level in the GAA.

While Jim Gavin blooded 25 players in last year’s championship, we picked five key men who started in every one of those games.

In six championship matches last year Jim Gavin used 11 different substitutes who between them amassed 31 appearances off the bench. From the opening round victory over Westmeath to the All-Ireland final, 19 different players started games for Dublin.

In 2011, Dublin’s other All-Ireland success this decade, Pat Gilroy also used 25 players and with the exception of one game these five played in every single one of the six championship matches.

Gilroy used 13 different substitutes that year, also giving starts to 19 different players. After winning the county’s first All-Ireland in 16 years his team earned six All-Star awards between them (plus six more last season).

So of the 35 players who played championship games for Dublin in 2011 and 2013, and the 36 players used in this year’s nine league games – these are the five players we think Jim Gavin’s Dublin can’t do without. 

Stephen Cluxton Cluxton's kickouts are invaluable to the Dubs. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Stephen Cluxton

Cluxton is the first name on every list these days, whether it be an All-Star selection or an International rules team, not to mention Jim Gavin’s Dublin team. He has reinvented the role of the goal keeper; acting as a sweeper in general play, as well as being Dublin’s key set piece specialist.

The county have produced a number of talented keepers in recent years such as Shane Supple and Michael Savage, but would MD MacAuley and co be as effective without Cluxton’s kickouts? He didn’t miss a SFC game in 2011 or 2013.

AGE: 32
ALL-STARS: 5
SFC APPS IN 2011: 6/6
SFC APPS IN 2013: 6/6
LEAGUE APPS 2013/14: 8/9

RTÉ Sport / YouTube

Rory O’Carroll

Since Paddy Christie’s retirement in 2007 full back was Dublin’s bogey position. As Kieran Donaghy re-introduced the direct ball tactic, Dublin’s full back-line struggled to cope.

Ross McConnell, Dennis Bastick and several others were tried out but once a young full back called Rory O’Carroll led the Dublin U21 team to All-Ireland glory in 2010 (winning the Cadbury’s Hero of the Future award) he was earmarked for the position for years to come. Dublin could well be back to square one though in the coming years as O’Carroll is said to be on Anthony Daly’s radar.

AGE: 25
ALL-STARS: 1
SFC APPS IN 2011: 6/6
SFC APPS IN 2013: 6/6
LEAGUE APPS 2013/14: 4/9

Rory O'Carroll and Kieran Donaghy Rory O'Carroll and Kieran Donaghy have got to know each other in recent years. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Michael Darragh MacAuley

Last year’s footballer of the year, MD MacAuley like Rory O’Carroll, filled a vital gap for Dublin when he came in to the panel in 2010.

Despite their dominance of Leinster, Dublin had struggled to compete in the middle of the field with the stronger counties. Even when Ciaran Whelan was at the Dub’s disposal then-manager Paul Caffrey was forced to convert Shane Ryan in to an orthodox midfielder.

MacAuley’s direct running and physicality is central to this Dublin team, and of these five players he is the only to have missed a SFC game in 2011 or 2013 when a hand injury ruled him out of the Leinster final three years ago.

AGE: 28
ALL-STARS: 2
SFC APPS IN 2011: 5/6
SFC APPS IN 2013: 6/6
LEAGUE APPS 2013/14: 4/9

Michael Darragh MacAuley and Cathal McNally Michael Darragh MacAuley answered Dublin's call for a midfielder. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Paul Flynn

Unsurprisingly Dublin went in to their two league losses this year without both Paul Flynn and Rory O’Carroll. The converted wing forward has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and unlike many players on the current panel he’s irreplaceable.

This was never more evident than in the 2011 All-Ireland final when Pat Gilroy chose to start Flynn, who had been carrying a serious hamstring injury which would leave him sidelined long after the game, valuing his worth to the team as such.

Flynn is the only Dublin player to have won three consecutive All-Star awards, in fact he is the only player in the country to have won successive All-Stars in the last three years.

AGE: 27
ALL-STARS: 3
SFC APPS IN 2011: 6/6
SFC APPS IN 2013: 6/6
LEAGUE APPS 2013/14: 4/9

Paul Flynn Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Bernard Brogan

Although Brogan is playing in a position for Dublin where despite his obvious quality, he is often deemed as replaceable – he’s not.

The likes of Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion seem to of inherited Brogan lightning turn of pace, awareness and direct running, but surely Jim Gavin wouldn’t yet trade on Brogan come September in Croke Park. Not yet anyway.

Last year he managed 0-4 and 2-2 in the All-Ireland semi final and final respectively, winning the man of the match award after his performance in the final against Mayo.

Michael Shields and Bernard Brogan Bernard Brogan was Footballer of the Year in 2010. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Despite missing much of this year’s league campaign he signaled his return with 1-6 against Derry in the league final, 1-3 of which from play.

AGE: 30
ALL-STARS: 3
SFC APPS IN 2011: 6/6
SFC APPS IN 2013: 6/6
LEAGUE APPS 2013/14: 2/9

JC O'Shea / YouTube

Given Diarmuid Connolly’s form over the past 12 months he’s not far off this list, James McCarthy and Ger Brennan also started every game in 2011 and 2013 – but who would you pick as the men Dublin really couldn’t replace?

Rob Hennelly: ‘I regretted it hugely and it did look like I was never going to get back in’

‘I’d prefer playing them in Newbridge’ – Eamonn Callaghan on Dublin’s Croke Park advantage

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    Mute Ian O'Reilly
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    Jun 8th 2014, 8:23 AM

    Great to see Rory there, he really is under rated. You see the difference in the league without him. Our system doesnt give him much protection like others teams afford their full backs but he copes brillantly and generally up against oppostion best player. People should check out highlights of the U21 football final in 2010 It was a masterclass performance, he got MOM and he was on none other than Micheal Murphy!!

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    Mute Darragh Brennan
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    Jun 8th 2014, 9:28 AM

    100% Ian. Probably my favourite player on the team. I had no doubt that the Dubs would win the All Ireland when Rory made the move up. Definitely doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.

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    Mute Andrew Hopkins
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    Jun 8th 2014, 11:42 AM

    I know Rory on a personal level, and I can say for certain, that he is so dedicated to his football that I’m glad score have given him the credit he deserves. Going out on a limb here but I’d probably have jack mccaffrey there to. Stats would back me up.

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    Mute Martin O'Callaghan
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    Jun 8th 2014, 11:55 AM

    Agree 100%, Andy! I know Rory took a lot of abuse for leaving the panel to go travelling in 09 and missing the league in 11, and frankly some of it got personal! As I said to him and at the time, forget the begrudgers and focus on the task at hand. Thankfully, he listened and has become Dublin’s “Mr. Reliable”!

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    Mute Andrew Hopkins
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    Jun 8th 2014, 12:04 PM

    Martin, very valid point. T@. But I think there’s an important distinction to be made here. Rory went on a French exchange not necessarily on a French holiday, and some of the media painted a ‘sunbathing in Porte Buenos’ picture. I think that was part of the problem. I know from talking to him, he was aggrieved at thiS but uses it for motivation these days.

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    Mute Liam H
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    Jun 8th 2014, 12:32 PM

    Connolly should be on that list.
    Amazing player

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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jun 8th 2014, 10:38 AM

    Doesn’t matter who ye got playing its on the day and I tell ya laois will be no walk over common laois

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    Mute Aideen Thornton
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    Jun 8th 2014, 12:56 PM

    Bad form calling Laois common!

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    Mute Captain Hernia
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    Jun 8th 2014, 11:52 AM

    Would have Dermo ahead of Bernard at the moment. The form he is in is outrageous. Look back to the all Ireland club final and the Tyrone league game as examples of just how important he is. He’s matured big time and turning into a real leader in the squad

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    Mute Andrew Hopkins
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    Jun 8th 2014, 11:55 AM

    Ye but Bernard’s stats to goal/point ratio aren’t as high as one would expect. Al’s are far higher but then again he’s used to playing a more dynamic game than Berno.

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jun 8th 2014, 11:46 AM

    Actually Bernard was player of the year in 2010…twas Alan in 2011 :)

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    Mute Flash Gordon
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    Jun 8th 2014, 11:38 AM

    Bogball not even related to a game !!

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    Mute Martin O'Callaghan
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    Jun 8th 2014, 12:21 PM

    The media just didn’t want to know the facts, Andy! It was akin to a witch-hunt! They tried to make him the scapegoat for Kerry’s dismantling of Dublin in Croke Park as well…

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