This is turning into a dark day for Gaelic football.
First we got wind that Kieran Donaghy’s Kerry career is on the brink and then his Kingdom team-mate Declan O’Sullivan announced injury had ended his stellar career.
Now we hear former footballer of the year Alan Brogan has called it a day. We can’t take any more bad news – everyone just stop retiring!
The older brother of Bernard has been one of the key members of the Dublin team that has become such a dominant force in the past decade.
Making his debut in 2002, Brogan would go on to play 70 Championship matches for the Dubs, winning an astonishing 11 Leinster SFC titles in a 14-year career. He would have to wait nine years to get his hands on Sam Maguire, but like Dublin buses two more came along in the next four years.
He won footballer of the year in 2011 as Dublin ended their 16-year wait for an All-Ireland, playing a crucial play-making role for Pat Gilroy’s side.
A bad run of injuries, including a long-standing osteitis pubis problem, curtailed his involvement under Jim Gavin but he was very influential off the bench this year as Dublin won their third All-Ireland in five years.
His sign-off will be long remembered – sprung from the bench by Gavin in the 66th minute of this year’s sodden final, he kicked a glorious insurance point to keep the Kingdom two scores from a draw.
A sad day for Dublin GAA, but what a career!
Thank you for the memories. #ThankYouAlan pic.twitter.com/eyRJUbxEKF
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) December 15, 2015
The 33-year-old St Oliver Plunketts man today released a statement, explaining his decision and thanking those who helped him over the last 14 years. You can read it in full below.
“In 1995, as a thirteen year old boy I sat in the Lower Hogan Stand and watched in awe as my heroes, led by John O’Leary lifted the Sam Maguire. Little did I know then of the great journey that lay ahead of me! Representing Dublin for the last 14 years has given me immense satisfaction and joy, both the good days and the bad.
“Today I would like to announce my retirement from inter-county football. I leave behind a wonderfully gifted football team but take with me many great memories, friendships and bonds. I would like to thank all the players that I soldiered with and against, and the managers and mentors who have guided me from an early age when I began the pursuit of my sporting dreams. I would like to pay particular thanks to Tommy Lyons, Pillar Caffrey, Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin, whose commitment to the Dublin cause was an inspiration to me and my teammates over the years.
“To play Gaelic Football at the top level many people around me have made great sacrifices in their own lives. My wife, Lydia, without whose love and support it would not have been possible, my two boys for keeping my feet on the ground, my parents for their guidance and encouragement, my brothers Bernard and Paul, with whom I was lucky enough to share an All-Ireland win with in 2011, and my friends and employers, for their understanding over the years. All of the above have played a crucial role in any success I have had throughout my career and I am sincerely grateful to each and all.
“I would also like to thank my club, St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh and the Dublin County Board led by John Costello for giving me the opportunity to represent Dublin. The County Board left no stone unturned in our pursuits of championships, and I appreciate the importance of this strong relationship between players and county board and how it has played a significant role in our success over the years.
“I’d also like to thank Dessie Farrell and his team in the GPA for their continued support and advocacy on behalf of Gaelic Players all over the country.
“Lastly to the Dublin supporters and Hill 16, thank you for the unwavering support during my time playing in blue. You helped to create some of the greatest sporting occasions this country has ever seen. I have always claimed that you are the greatest fans in the world. Thanks for the memories.
“I am privileged to have represented this great county in over 70 championship games. I will miss the camaraderie in the dressing room, the drive through Fairview on Championship days and not to mention Croke Park with a full house. However, I now look forward to taking my place amongst the Dublin fans and supporting my heroes again for many years to come.
“I would like to wish Jim Gavin and my teammates from 2015 the very best next year!”
