Cork wake-up call sprung Brian Fenton into action

Most successful seasons contain a turning point of some sort and Brian Fenton doesn’t have to think too long to locate his with Dublin.

Accepting a short kick-out from Michael Savage against Cork at Croke Park last March, his first game back after shoulder surgery, a simple kick pass forward was the obvious move for the midfielder. But with Dublin under a Rebel siege — Cork led 1-4 to 0-0 early on — and Fenton lacking match sharpness, he fluffed his kick to an opponent and Cork scored again. At half-time he was taken off.

Seven months on, the Raheny man is a nominee for Footballer of the Year and a back to back All-Ireland medallist. Remarkably, he has yet to lose a championship game with Dublin though nights like that one in spring were important reference points.