Paul Curran wants Brogan brothers paired
Curran said he fully expected the confirmation which came earlier this week that Alan, 32, is committing to another Championship campaign.
The three-time All Star hasn’t featured for the county since August’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal.
His return gives manager Jim Gavin a strong attacking option, particularly at centre-forward where he played against Donegal and for most of last year.
The fit again Ciarán Kilkenny is another option there, however, while Curran himself believes Diarmuid Connolly is ‘our best player for centre-forward’.
Former All-Ireland winning Curran, who guided Ballymun Kickhams to the 2013 club decider, said he’d ultimately love to see the Brogan brothers starting together in the full-forward line.
“I think Alan still has plenty to offer inside, close to goal,” said Curran. “Dublin have played him more in the half-forward line in the last couple of years. The reality is that wherever you play him he will bring a lot to it.
“But I personally would like to see him closer to goal in a full-forward line with his brother. I think as a pair they would bring an awful lot together in there. They understand each other’s game inside out and it’s something I’d love to see.”
Alan started and scored in every Championship game for Dublin last year despite missing the entire 2013 campaign with groin trouble.
Curran believes he can be a regular starter again this summer though Sunday’s Allianz league semi-final against Monaghan may come too soon for any involvement.
“There’s no doubt about it, Alan still has a huge amount to contribute to Dublin,” said Curran, a playing colleague in 2002 when Dublin collected a first Leinster title in seven years.
“I think if he’s injury free and playing well, he’s going to start. I wouldn’t be worried about age or anything like that. It’s all to do with form and being injury free and if Alan ticks those boxes then he will be in the team.”
Curran is upbeat about Dublin generally and reckons they’re finding momentum at the business end of the league campaign.
They hammered Monaghan by 11 points in their final group game last weekend and meet the same opposition at Croke Park in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Curran is expecting Monaghan, who also lost to Dublin in last year’s Championship by 17 points, to adapt a defensive strategy.
“I think what’s going to happen this weekend is that Monaghan are going to go defensive,” said Curran. “They’ll try and tighten things up quite a lot. But that will suit Dublin at Croke Park. I’d be very surprised if we don’t get over them and get to the final.
“Dublin are timing this thing very well. They had a few poor performances but they’ve reached the semi-finals and they’ve got players coming back from injury.
“Everything is set up now and there’s no distractions on them. They have a chance now to reach three league finals in a row and I think that’ll be something they’ll want to do.”
Asked if he can see Monaghan setting up as defensively as Derry did in Round 6, when Dublin won 0-8 to 0-4, Curran shook his head.
“I don’t think it will be as bad as that,” he said. “In fairness to Monaghan, they have a lot of good forwardsso I can’t see them being as defensive as Derry. But all the northern teams do bring a certain amount of defensiveness with them.
Curran himself is three months into his new role as manager of Roscommon side Clann na nGael. It’s home to county duo Donie and Cathal Shine as well as rising star Ultan Harney.
“It’s probably the youngest panel I’ve worked with yet,” enthused Curran. “We’re just getting going with games so I’m really looking forward to it.”
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