Jack Sheedy fears that Dublin wil find it very hard to replace Alan Brogan.

The 2011 Footballer of the Year will definitely miss the Dubs' June 1st Leinster SFC opener against Westmeath or Carlow due to an ongoing groin problem but there are concerns that he might not play again this year.

"I don't think we've found someone who operates in the same way as Alan," former Dublin midfielder Sheedy says in The Irish Examiner. "He makes so much happen for Dublin.

"Collectively, the team may take care of that playmaking issue. Everybody is contributing - you have Mick Macauley and Cian O'Sullivan darting forward, but I really would like to see someone in Alan's mode coming in.

"Paul Flynn will have a huge bearing on what happens with Dublin this year because he's such a good all-round footballer and is involved in an awful lot of what happens.

"You'd think Bernard [Brogan] and [Paul] Mannion will be in the full-forward line come the championship but who will they play at 14?

"Paddy Andrews' performances in terms of scoring in the last few games haven't been as high even though he's still contributing."

Sheedy also believes that Cian O'Sullivan could be deemed surplus to requirements in the engine-room come championship time:

"My only fear for Cian O'Sullivan is that he's too much of a utility player who is either a support runner or an auxiliary defender. He's had a really good year so far but Dublin are going to need two good midfielders.

"It's the one area that has been the weakest in the league. Jim might decide to continue with one ball winner and one runner but I think you might need Denis Bastick there as well as [MD] Macauley." Tweet

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