Brogan mulls over future with Dubs

Alan Brogan believes the recent trend of retirements by players in their early 30s and younger will continue, but the former Footballer of the Year has yet to decide if he will add to the exodus.

Soon to turn 33, the Dublin forward’s future has been the subject of speculation since the county was eliminated at the All-Ireland semi-final stage by Donegal last August.

The consensus is that he will give another campaign to Jim Gavin’s side, but the former All Star has a growing young family and work commitments to factor into the decision.

The Dublin manager has set no deadline and Brogan suggested yesterday, were he to return, he would have an individualised programme to lessen his load. He would also be unlikely to feature for Dublin until towards the end of the Allianz League.

“I’ve met Jim and he has been very supportive and the ball is in my court,” he explained. “So, I suppose over the next couple of weeks… there are a lot of factors go into it. It is not a decision I will make lightly, either way.

“Whatever way I decide to go, it is a difficult decision, and one that I am struggling a bit to make. But I still have a couple of weeks to kind of mull over it and make a call early in the new year.”

Brogan hasn’t pulled on a pair of boots since his club, Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh, lost the county final to St Vincent’s, but he looked leaner than ever as he discussed his future at Tallaght Athletic Club yesterday.

The sight of 39-year-old distance runner, Maria McCambridge, haring around the track outside as he spoke was proof that there can be life for sports people after 30, but the GAA is becoming a country for younger men.

Every off-season is sprinkled with retirements, but the rate seems to have escalated this time around, with the loss to Kilkenny of a quintet of men the most obvious example. Brogan sees that becoming even more prevalent.

“It shows the way the game has gone. It’s four or five days a week and, as I have often said, it’s what you are doing when not training — the small things like eating right, getting proper rest — and as you come to 30, 31, you have work commitments, family commitments, and it becomes harder to get that balance right.

“Fellas feel they can’t give the commitment but it is a sign of the way things are going.”