James McCarthy: Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne will be 'one of the most important players for Dublin'

Former Dublin footballer James McCarthy believes the Dubs nee to find a "stable partner" in midfield for Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne

Nine-time All-Ireland winner James McCarthy believes Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne will be "the dominant midfielder for Dublin for the next few years." Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

James McCarthy has identified the crucial middle eight as Dublin's problem zone but reckons they will have strong options in the area again when everyone is fit.

The Dubs will be cut adrift at the foot of Division 1 if they lose on Saturday night, at home to Monaghan, following defeats to Donegal and Mayo.

It's almost a decade since Dublin last beat bogey team Monaghan in the League and they were relegated to Division 2 by the Farney in 2022.

Nine-time All-Ireland winner McCarthy, who captained the Dubs to their last title in 2023, acknowledged that with eight household names retiring since that landmark win three years ago, they're looking for fresh leaders to emerge.

New manager Ger Brennan fielded a rookie half-back line in the Round 1 defeat to Donegal, giving full League debuts to Robert Shaw, Nathan Doran and Eoin Kennedy.

Things aren't looking particularly stable at midfield either where Ethan Dunne, who McCarthy reckons 'needs to get stuck in a little bit more', has started both games.

"We probably lost our fair share of players there, in that area," said McCarthy at an event to promote this evening's Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final between UCC and UL. "If you look at the last few years, obviously myself, John Small and Brian Fenton are no longer there, Jack McCaffrey isn't there anymore either.

"But I do think there's loads of young talent that can have a go at it. I know there's a young lad from Cuala, Charlie McMorrow, who is around as well. He's had an injury or two."

McCarthy pointed to another Cuala player, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, who hasn't featured in 2026 yet either, as the answer to Dublin's midfield dilemma.

"I do think Peadar is going to be probably the dominant midfielder for Dublin for the next few years," said the Ballymun man. "I think he's really important at midfield, just because of that ability to win ball. He has the confidence after getting a good season under his belt. I think he's going to be definitely one of the most important players for Dublin going forward. I suppose it's trying to get a stable partner for him, that's probably a big thing.

"It is an area that we probably need to be working harder in and getting stronger in. Guys need to put their hands up to nail down a place."

McCarthy, part of the Dublin team that was relegated in 2022, said it wouldn't be 'the end of the world' if they go down again.

"If it doesn't work out, I don't think they'd be too concerned either," he said.

McCarthy wasn't convinced by Brennan's threat after the Mayo game to drop a number of underperforming established players. He reckons his former Dublin colleague was merely trying to 'rattle a few cages' and to provoke a response.

He's optimistic that they'll still be a serious force when players like Lee Gannon, Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Theo Clancy and Colm Basquel are fit and available.

"I have no doubt when they get their team together, they'll still be very competitive. No team will think they're easy to play against or a soft touch."