Caffrey hails Brogan's role in Dublin set-up

Paul Caffrey has hailed the important role played by Alan Brogan in the current Dublin set-up and is delighted that the forward has taken over as captain.

Brogan, the 2003 All-Ireland Under 21-winning skipper, will hope to become the first Dublin player since John O'Leary in 1995 to lift the Sam Maguire Cup this September, and Caffrey believes that leadership qualities certainly will not be lacking in his squad this season.

"Since I have been involved, Coman Goggins has been captain, Ciaran Whelan, Paddy Christie, Colin Moran too and the time came to give the chance to somebody else," Caffrey said at the launch of the Allianz National Football League today.

"There were several good candidates - Stephen Cluxton, David Henry, Paul Casey, Bryan Cullen, Barry Cahill - a lot of the guys that came through from that 2002-2003 Under-21 squad.

"Alan was lucky enough to captain the '03 squad to Dublin's only Under-21 All-Ireland ever. He is an outstanding candidate and a very popular figure in the dressing room and to me he stood out as an obvious candidate."

Injuries have been a major part of the O'Byrne Cup campaign for Dublin but it has given Caffrey and his selectors a welcome opportunity to breed some new players.

"It is time to blood players, it is a matter of picking your time and picking your matches - a lot of thought goes into it," he said.

"You will see some fresh faces making their debuts in the National League going forward and I will look forward to them making the cut."

The news however is not so good for Darren Magee, who faces a prolonged period on the sidelines as Caffrey explained.

"Darren Magee is out for a while. He has had two operations, a groin operation and an operation on his hand also.

"There are a lot of inter-county players up and down the country carrying wear and tear injuries that need to be mended.

He added: "Darren had two operations in the off-season and he won't see much football for another six or eight weeks."

Shane Ryan is also a major doubt for Dublin's league opener next Saturday night against Westmeath at Parnell Park.

"Our medical team put a lot of work into him. We will have a look at him tomorrow night and I'd be hopeful but if not next weekend, he should be back within the next two weeks."

Caffrey reckons that although his side battled hard against relegation last year, the league's new format and new teams will help bring about more excitements for the players and supporters alike.

"I was talking to supporters after our win over Carlow on Sunday and they are certainly looking forward to facing new teams."

Dublin face tough tests against Armagh, Cavan and Monaghan in Division Two and Caffrey admitted: "It's nice to have a change of scenery also and going to Cavan and other places it's great to have these type of trips.

"With the old format the rivalry was becoming a bit stale and teams were getting too familiar with each other."