Seven-time All-Ireland winner John Small announces Dublin retirement 

The Ballymun Kickhams clubman has called time a glittering intercounty career. 

TRUE BLUE: Dublin players from left, John Small, Brian Fenton and Ciarán Kilkenny. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Dublin defender John Small has confirmed his retirement from inter-county football.

The seven-time All-Ireland SFC winner was persuaded back for one final season earlier this year but has decided to step away having made his senior debut in 2015.

After Brian Fenton, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey, the Ballymun Kickhams man is the fourth of “The Class of 1993” to part ways with the county. Only Ciarán Kilkenny remains.

In a statement on the Dublin GAA official website on Thursday, Small wrote: “Representing the Dublin senior football team has been the greatest privilege of my life. It gave me memories and friendships that I’ll carry with me forever. They truly were the best days of my life.

“I’ve been so lucky to have incredible people around me throughout this journey — my family, my partner Jade, my son Charlie, my friends, my club, Jim and Dessie along with their coaching teams, my teammates, and the amazing Dublin supporters who have always stood behind us.

“But above everyone else, I want to acknowledge my Mam, Andrea, and my late Dad, Declan. They gave me the chance to live my dream and supported me every step of the way. I wouldn’t have achieved any of this without them.

“To Ger Brennan and his management team, I wish you nothing but success in 2026. I’ll be watching on from the stands with pride. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. It’s meant everything to me.” 

Dublin chairman Ken O’Sullivan described Small as “a colossus at the heart of Dublin’s defence and somebody who has given his all to the cause every time he stepped onto the pitch in a blue jersey.” Former Dublin manager Dessie Farrell, who led Dublin for two of Small’s Celtic Crosses, hailed his “outstanding career”. He said: “It has been a great privilege to have coached him since the Dublin U13 squad, right through to his final game in a senior jersey.

“From the outset, John distinguished himself not only as a fierce competitor and a warrior on the field, but as a man of deep humility and heart. He has always given everything for the team, for those beside him, and for the Dublin jersey he wore with such pride.

New manager Ger Brennan commended Small: “Having played briefly with John and against him multiple times at club level, I know John was a warrior, a leader and a team player to the very end.”