Fennell fears Dub snub as transfer saga rumbles on

EAMON FENNELL has expressed fears he may not be allowed to play for Dublin this year.

The 26-year-old made the claim yesterday as he awaits to hear if his home club O’Tooles will finally allow him to transfer to St Vincent’s at the third attempt.

While O’Tooles last year waived their right to deny Fennell the opportunity to line out for the Blues, he refused to play for them and will do so again should his plea to move to St Vincent’s fail.

However, Fennell is worried they may not be so lenient on him this time round and decide, as they did in 2009, to deny him the opportunity to play inter-county football this season.

“It’s a major fear and it would be another heartbreaking experience to go out training with the lads for another year knowing that you have had no involvement in it,” said Fennell.

“In 2009, it was torture. I was living with lads off the team, I was constantly around the Dublin team and to go to matches and know you were just going there to watch and not be able to get involved in it — it’s torture.”

Fennell cut an exasperated figure at the launch of the new Puma King Finale boot in Dublin.

“I was expecting to hear back last week and now it’s on to this week,” he said, holding up his phone. “It’s just getting messed around. I wish the county board could just give me the news. I’m certain that it’s blocked but whether they are going to get me taken off the county panel again, I don’t know. I hope they don’t.

“I’m going to plead my case to them if they do. I want to play for Dublin. I have always wanted to play for Dublin. I don’t know how they can take me out of playing for Dublin for another year and expect me to go back to them.”

Should his attempt to leave O’Tooles fail, Fennell will again seek the assistance of the county board and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of asking Croke Park to become involved in the saga.

“I’m always looking for support wherever I can get it at this stage. I’m hoping Croke Park could even step into this case because it’s ongoing for over four years. I think I have served my penance.”

A prominent club member in O’Toole’s before and during the transfer fall-out, Fennell can’t understand why O’Toole’s haven’t allowed him to leave.

“I don’t know, I used to think I was liked in that club!” he shrugged. “The way things went, I did my fair share in O’Toole’s. I was coaching juvenile teams and the seniors. So there is only so much you can do.

“It wasn’t just a case of me wanting to up and leave. I started a social committee to try and get younger people into the club. I did all sorts. O’Toole’s knew this and for them to get up now and block it and say all the stuff that has gone on — it’s unbelievable. I just want it dealt with. I just want to play football.”