Next Dubs boss must get Fenton on blower

BRIAN FENTON must be coaxed out of retirement by the next Dublin manager, says Diarmuid Connolly, who doesn't believe the job will go to Ger Brennan.

- BY PAT NOLAN

Having announced his shock retirement last year, two-time footballer of the year Fenton is playing with the John McBride's club in Chicago for the summer but Connolly feels that, at 31, there's still a way back for him with Dublin.

With Dessie Farrell stepping down as manager following the All-Ireland quarterfinal defeat to Tyrone last month, Dublin are on the lookout for a new boss.

Whoever it is, Connolly says that enticing his former teammate Fenton (above) to return should be the priority.

And he reckons that there could be a way back for Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey, who also stepped back after the 2024 Championship, too.

Connolly (right) noted how Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne blossomed in the midfield this year and said that he and Fenton would make a formidable midfield pairing.