Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne is hoping to establish himself in the Dublin football engine room this year following the retirements of Brian Fenton and James McCarthy.

The towering midfielder, who is preparing for Cuala's All-Ireland club SFC final against Errigal Ciarán on Sunday, told the media: “Now that there is a hole there, it is an opportunity, definitely. James and Brian, playing with them was an absolute pleasure. They are 100% tough boots to fill.

“I know there are a lot of lads there (challenging), Ethan Dunne is a young player coming up, Tom Lahiff, myself. There were a lot of lads trying to get the jerseys off the lads, trying to compete with them, and if that made us better as a team that was great.

“It will be a tough (battle) to see who will be there. I know the first league game is soon but when it comes to championship, it will be a tough battle until then.”

As for this weekend, Ó Cofaigh Byrne is under no illusions about the size of the task facing the first-time Dublin and Leinster champions.

“They (Errigal Ciarán) are obviously a very good side, there’s some absolute superstars there. But because it’s such a tight turnaround, and I’m sure they’re the same, it’s just about fine-tuning your own things.”

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