Pat Gilroy to return to Dublin football set-up

The 2011 All-Ireland winning manager assisted Dessie Farrell last season but wasn't on board for the league

Pat Gilroy of Dublin, left, with Brian Howard of Dublin before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Pat Gilroy is set to return to the Dublin management team possibly as early as this Sunday for the county’s Leinster SFC quarter-final against Meath in Croke Park.

The 2011 All-Ireland winning manager assisted Dessie Farrell last season and operated as a water carrier on match days, but had not been part of the set-up during this year’s Allianz Football League campaign for personal reasons.

Speaking in February, Farrell said: "I had a chat with Pat earlier on and Pat, you know what Pat's like yourselves, I'd be hoping that Pat would be back with us at some point in time.

“He has huge work commitments and a lot going on family wise and that type of thing. He said talk to him after the league and we'll have a look at it then."

However, Gilroy, who is credited with helping to convince Stephen Cluxton to return to the fold, is expected to be back involved over the next four months.

Meanwhile, Farrell has announced his 40-strong panel for the championship. Stephen Cluxton and Mick Fitzsimons, who saw no action during the eight Division 1 games, are included as is last year’s All-Ireland winning captain James McCarthy, who only appeared for 30 minutes in the opening day defeat to Monaghan in January.

Those missing from last year’s squad include Dean Rock, who has retired, and David Byrne, who is travelling, Craig Dias and Dan O’Brien.

DUBLIN (SFC panel, as listed on county official website).

Goalkeepers: Evan Comerford, David O’Hanlon, Stephen Cluxton.

Defenders: Michael Fitzsimons, Lee Gannon, Seán MacMahon, Daire Newcombe, Liam Smith, Eoin Murchan, Ben Millist, Jack McCaffrey, Brian Howard, Greg McEneaney, John Small, Cian Murphy, Alex Gavin, Theo Clancy, Cian O’Connor, Adam Fearon, Kevin Lahiff.

Midfielders: James McCarthy, Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff, Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Senan Forker, Ethan Dunne.

Forwards: Con O’Callaghan, Ciarán Kilkenny, Seán Bugler, Ross McGarry, Lorcan O’Dell, Niall Scully, Colm Basquel, Killian McGinnis, Cormac Costello, Paul Mannion, Luke Breathnach, Paddy Small, Killian O’Gara, Brian O’Leary.