Whelan: Dublin’s options ‘frightening’

Dublin legend Ciarán Whelan says the current football panel is their strongest ever, claiming the attacking options are “frightening”.

The former All Star midfielder had high praise for the work of new boss Jim Gavin who has guided the Sky Blues to the Allianz League semi-finals.

Dublin play Donegal on Sunday week and regardless of the outcome will be on semi-final duty a week later. Interestingly, they may be forced to field a weakened team or at the very least rest key players for the Donegal tie.

Fixture chiefs have pencilled in a round of club championship ties for the week between the Donegal and semi-final games, with selector Declan Darcy admitting three games may be too much for some players.

They do at least have one of the strongest squads in the entire country to call upon with Whelan claiming it’s the best they’ve ever produced.

“Absolutely, I do, you look back to some of the days when I played and we would have been really struggling in terms of strength in depth,” said Whelan.

“The success at minor level and U-21 level has really given them impetus and for anybody to sit down now and pick Dublin’s six forwards, you’d have different views from everybody.

“That’s the challenge that Jim has, finding his best balance and best 15, that’s going to be his biggest thing come the summer.

“The Ballymun contingent have to come back into the equation. They’ll probably get a run out against Donegal and it’s going to leave competition for places.

“I would imagine that A versus B games for the next few weeks should be more competitive than some of the games they’re going to play at Croke Park during the summer.”

As for Dublin’s All-Ireland title chances, Whelan gave a glowing endorsement of their credentials.

“I do see them as front-runners,” continued Whelan, at the launch of the 2013 ‘Race the Rás’ charity cycle. “That’s not to say they can’t be beaten. Certainly they’re the form team at the moment and I think a lot of teams will fear coming up against them.

“It’s going to take a very, very good team to beat them and they’re going to be front runners come the Championship.

“I’ve been very impressed with the newcomers. Jonny Cooper has done very well at full-back while Jack McCaffrey’s done very well at wing-back. They need to get a bit of consistency at midfield, he has to find his best two, but his options in the forward line are just frightening in terms of what he’s going to have come the summer.

“He has the talent there at his disposal and I think they’re going to be very, very strong contenders for the All-Ireland.”

Before then, they have the league to conclude. Dublin’s hopes of ending the group stage on a high have been hit by the club versus county tug-of-war.

Selector Darcy accepted they may have to rest players for the Donegal game with club championship ties coming 72 hours later, followed by the league semi-finals.

That plays neatly into Donegal’s hands as they need to win to secure their Division 1 status.

“Playing three games in one week would be hard on them,” said Darcy. “At the same time, the club is very important and we want players to play club football and we think it’s important that we have that.

“We’re not going to throw a spanner in the works but I think it is something that they need to look at.

“It’s not good and we’ve already picked up a lot of injuries. The young lads are being put into high pressure situations. If you keep pushing them on, something is going to give.”