Brogan says Dubs can build on U21 success

ALAN BROGAN is hopeful Dublin’s All-Ireland U21 football success last Saturday night can be the springboard for a future assault at senior level.

Brogan, who captained Dublin to win the All-Ireland U21 title in 2003, believes Cork, who were successful at that grade in 2007 and 2009, serve as the perfect benchmark in drafting underage talents onto the senior stage.

“A couple of years ago, Cork had a couple of great U21 teams and you can see the fruits of that now. The likes of Michael Shields have come through and it really made a huge difference. Cork had the core of a good panel there and when they added in these six or seven guys from those U21 teams, it’s really made a big difference.

“It would be great if that could happen with us, if we could get four, five or six fellas from the last two U21 teams, it could make a big difference for us. I watched it on the box last Saturday and thought they were full value for the win. I know Donegal could have sneaked it in a last minute but I thought they played very well and it’s great to see it. If we can get those guys coming through, they’ll be full of confidence now, it might make a different to the senior squad.”

Brogan is sidelined with a hamstring injury incurred in a match with his club St Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh last weekend but expects to be back in action in a few weeks.

“It’s not too bad and it’ll hopefully be just another two or three weeks. I haven’t done much on it yet. We’ll be training tonight so we might try a bit of running on it, if not it will probably be Thursday.

“It was probably a four-week injury so it’s just to make sure that it clears up properly. You don’t want to be out too long either, there’s a few challenge matches there and club championship next week as well. I’ll probably miss that, so it’s not ideal.”