Brogan puts achievement in context

It was the words of Alan Brogan that gave new meaning to another Dublin Division 1 title on Sunday.

Having missed last year’s success with a persistent groin injury, the 2011 footballer of the year was fully appreciative of his first National League crown in beating Derry.

He told his team-mates, including Cian O’Sullivan, of his gratitude in the dressing room afterwards.

“The title does mean something, definitely,” said O’Sullivan. “This competition has become more and more competitive so this means a lot to lads.

“Like Alan was saying inside there, that he’s been playing with Dublin for 13 years and this is the first time he’s played in a league final.”

In practical terms, it bridges the gap a couple of weeks closer to their Leinster quarter-final on June 8.

“As much as anything, getting the extra games is a big thing,” agreed O’Sullivan. “That was a competitive game, the semi-final against Cork was as well. You’re not going to get those games anywhere else in the country at this time of year. So it’s great preparation for the Championship.”

And yet before they carved out a fine win away to Tyrone, things didn’t look so rosy for Dublin’s chances of defending their title.

O’Sullivan remarked: “It was a tough campaign. Every year since I’ve got involved with Dublin, the league seems to be getting more and more intense. So it’s not easy to win a title and two-in-a-row is a testament to the team.

“You try not to look too far into the future when you’re in the middle of the league. It was touch and go there as to whether we’d make the play-offs or not and the aim at the start of the year was to get as many game as possible out of the league. We did that.”