Dublin football manager Dessie Farrell has been dealt another massive retirement blow with the news that Brian Fenton is bowing out at the age of 31.
First reported in the Irish Times, the midfield general follows James McCarthy into inter-county retirement, while veteran goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is also believed to be stepping away. Dublin GAA confirmed Fenton's decision in a statement this morning.
The Raheny clubman is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all-time. A late bloomer - he didn't play minor for Dublin - he made his senior debut in 2015 and incredibly didn't lose a championship match for six years. He was a mainstay of the great Dublin team that won an unprecedented six-in-a-row of Sam Maguires between 2015 and '20, and ended up with seven All-Ireland SFC medals in all as well as two Footballer of the Year awards.
His other honours include 10 Leinster SFC medals, four Allianz Football League titles and six All-Star awards.
A Rolls-Royce of a player who had everything, Fenton will be a huge loss not just to Dublin, but to the game in general.
TweetBrian Fenton has announced his retirement from inter-county football after ten memorable seasons in Blue.
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) November 19, 2024
Congratulations on an incredible career, @BrianFenton08 💙 pic.twitter.com/ecLvwV0KB3