Small 'very unlikely' to play for Dublin again, says Kilkenny 

ENDS OF THE LINE: John Small of Dublin in action against Robbie Brooks of Wexford during the Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Wexford and Dublin at Chadwicks Wexford Park in Wexford. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Dublin star Ciaran Kilkenny reckons it's 'very unlikely' that his close pal John Small will be back in blue this year.

Seven-time All-Ireland winner Small hasn't featured this season and looks set to become the sixth player from last year's team to make himself unavailable.

Michael Fitzsimons, Jack McCaffrey, Brian Fenton, James McCarthy and Paul Mannion, all of whom started last June's All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Galway next to Small, have since departed.

Small now looks set to do likewise which could effectively spell the end for the Ballymun man's Dublin career.

Dublin manager Dessie Farrell spoke briefly about Small after last Saturday's Division 1 loss to Armagh, saying that the All-Star 'isn't back yet'.

But Kilkenny, speaking at the announcement that tickets for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Kansas State University and Iowa State University at the Aviva Stadium on August 23 are now on sale, said Small is as good as done.

"It's unlikely John's going to be back with us this year," said Kilkenny. "A good friend of mine, he knows more than anyone that the door is open for him there but it's very unlikely that he's going to be back this year."

Small, who debuted in 2015, was a key figure in Dublin's glory period, nailing down a place in the half-back line. In the last three seasons alone, he has only failed to start just one of their 21 Championship games. Aside from his defensive strength, he regularly picked off important points and even goals, hitting 2-9 in that three-season spell.

"John's an absolute powerful specimen, absolute powerhouse," said Kilkenny. "He could nullify a key forward and then go up the pitch and clip a couple of scores or get a goal or make a couple of big offensive plays.

"He offered so much in terms of his attitude, his mindset and he had underrated foot skills. He's got incredible foot skills and control of the ball. John will be missed but, look, it's a good opportunity for another player to step up."

Small's younger brother, attacker Paddy hasn't featured for Dublin either this year but Farrell assured after the Armagh game that he will be available. Farrell said that veteran goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is involved too.

Dublin slipped to their second defeat of the Division 1 campaign against Armagh with the new rules again having a big impact on proceedings.

Goalkeeper Evan Comerford was twice penalised for not getting his kick-out away inside 20 seconds, resulting in tap-over points for Armagh.

Comerford also had a difficult evening trying to pick out Dublin players with his long-range kick-outs. Armagh capitalised in the first-half, dominating the middle third and running up a 12-point half-time lead, which they stretched to 15 early in the second-half.

"I'd be positive about the rules," said Kilkenny. "I feel like it's created great discussion, great debate around different things. The games have been very competitive, they've been very exciting. I suppose lads are reflecting on what's best to alter and adjust.

"It's been interesting so far. It's been fun to be creative around them, just to strategise around the different rules. I think it's been overly positive so far.

"Obviously the big thing is that when you're playing in grounds with significant breezes, teams are getting massive leads on other teams. But as we've seen, teams are able to peg each other back if they're fortunate enough to get a lot of two-pointers."

Kilkenny's former Dublin manager, Jim Gavin, is head of the Football Review Committee who are in the process of tweaking the rules and bringing forward amendments which are expected to be put into play for Round 6 on Saturday and Sunday week.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed the league, I've loved my football more than ever so for me it's definitely a positive," said attacker Kilkenny, now in his 14th senior season with Dublin. "Are there tweaks that need to be done? I'd imagine so but the lads will look at them.

"I think it's time to take a breath and just reflect. As I said previously, I have full faith in Jim and his committee to make the best decision for Gaelic football."