“I think that’s the last you’ll see of Paul for Dublin” – Mannion’s inter-county career may be over for good

"I would say he'll just enjoy his football, that's my view."

Kilmacud Crokes manager Robbie Brennan, has emphatically claimed that his star man, Paul Mannion, won't be returning to the Dublin set up. Mannion has played a key role for his club this year as they claim the Dublin senior football championship, and will now progress into the Leinster championship. The sharp shooter opted out of the county panel this year, after spending much of the 2020 season under Dessie Farrell as an impact player coming off the bench. With speculation continuing to grow about whether this was just a one year sabbatical, or has the forward officially retired from the county scene, Crokes manager has shared his opinion.

Robbie Brennan on Paul Mannion's Dublin future.

"My own opinion? No," said Brennan. "I think that's it, I think that's the last you'll see of Paul (for Dublin). "I'd say he'll answer that question but I would think that's it. What he has done in the game has been absolutely phenomenal for Dublin and now for Kilmacud.

"I would say he'll just enjoy his football, that's my view. But Paul might have something different on it." In a strange interview after their one point victory over St Judes, the manager effectively claims that's Mannion has retired, despite the fact the player has not done so himself.

Shane Cunningham is happy to have Mannion focus solely on Kilmacud Crokes.

There has been a lot of talk in the lead up to this final, as Crokes captain Shane Cunningham admitted that the club are much happier to have him around full time, instead of periodically losing him to Dublin.

"I won't lie to you and say that it wasn't a massive bonus to have him around, and Rory O'Carroll as well. "To have them around at training, week in, week out, is absolutely massive.

"Their quality alone, but on top of that their leadership and just the way they train and play, you can only learn of them. "So to have them around the whole year has definitely been an added bonus. I know Dublin fans are probably wanting Paul back, and maybe Rory too but for ourselves we're just absolutely delighted that he's around full-time."

“He is very driven professionally as well. I don’t think his life revolves around Gaelic football. He probably gets asked enough about going back in with Dublin so I don’t have that conversation with him ever really about what his thoughts are.

“I am just happy to have him back. I have no doubt if he went back he would probably still be one of the best footballers in Ireland.”

Brian Fenton wants to see Mannion back in a. Dublin jersey.

On the other side of that Coin however, Dublin midfielder Brian Fenton, has made it know that he would love to have the Kilmacud kicker back in the sky blue jersey.

"I’m still hopeful, I whatsapped him the other day and was like, do you want to grab a coffee? Very tactically. "Hopefully, I mean look at him, he’s top class, he’s proven that with Crokes again this year, he’s still class."

You can't ignore the fact that the first year Dublin didn't have Mannion, was the first time in seven years that they lost a championship match. It's obviously not solely down to his absence, but you can't lose a player of his quality and ability, and not expect there to be some consequences. Going by what is being suggested by those in the know, we may not see Mannion lining out for the capital once again.