THE RETURN of Alan Brogan for Dublin’s All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo on Sunday week remains in doubt.
Dublin’s most experienced player has become the key playmaker in the Pat Gilroy system but missed the All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Laois with a groin strain.
Brogan exacerbated the injury kicking his second point of the Leinster final against Meath on July 22nd and was replaced by Eoghan O’Gara on 28 minutes.
“He is tipping away, not fully there yet but hopefully he will be okay,” said younger brother Bernard yesterday. “I see Pat has thrown in 28 players in the championship to date so there are lots of guys there, like Ciarán Kilkenny, who are knocking on the door. They are flying in training, so there will be no panic if he doesn’t make it.”
That Brogan – interviewed in his capacity as an Adidas ambassador – suggested Kilkenny as a possible replacement is somewhat surprising considering Gilroy has resisted starting the teenager so far this season, using him twice off the bench.
Diarmuid Connolly started at centre forward against Laois until replaced by Kilkenny on 42 minutes, while O’Gara’s form appears to have him ahead of Kilkenny in the current pecking order.
Michael Dara MacAuley’s selection in the forwards, doubling up as a third midfielder, has also confined Kevin McManamon to an impact replacement role.
Still, Brogan rates Kilkenny high enough to compare the Castleknock dual player with Dublin’s inspirational captain.
“He’s a freak. He’s like one of these Brian Cullens; there’s only a few of them every few years that come through.
“To come through at that age and have such mental strength, so confident, able to adapt to training and the atmosphere, obviously it is a big place for a young lad to come into, the Dublin senior panel after winning the All-Ireland.”
Mayo must plan without injured marquee forward Andy Moran but Brogan identifies Alan Dillon as a play-maker comparable to his own elder brother.
“To be honest, I think Mayo are in a better position than we are. They know how to beat us. They are one of the few teams that has a system that beats this new Dublin team. They beat us emphatically in the league.
“They will have a group of players with huge confidence in Croke Park. They remind me a bit of us last year; being so close and never got there.
“They’re not afraid of a big day in Croke Park. They have some lovely footballers, I was in college with Alan Dillon and he is like a quarterback for them.
“Andy Moran will be a loss, no doubt, he is one of the finest footballers in Ireland, he’s been electric all year, but in fairness they have a lot of shooters from out the field as we saw during the league.
“They don’t have to get the ball to the 14 to score points. They scored eight or nine points against us from 40 yards out in the league. They have shooters as much as inside men. As much as Andy will be a loss, they have plenty of lads to fill that gap.”
Looking at Sunday’s first semi-final between Cork and Donegal, Brogan understandably sat on the fence.
“Cork look super strong but Donegal are such a tactical monster it’s going to be epic and a serious battle and a nice one to watch but I genuinely couldn’t tell you who’ll win. I won’t put a bet on.”
