Emotional Dessie Farrell steps down as Dublin manager

An emotional Dessie Farrell paid tribute to players who he said felt like his children after taking the decision to step down as Dublin senior football manager after six seasons.

Farrell revealed to the media following Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Tyrone that he had made his decision at the outset of the year. He informed the county board at that stage and his squad after the game.

“I think it's just come to a natural end,” said the two-time All-Ireland SFC winning manager. “It's easier to say it today than I have to say it next week or in a couple of weeks's time.

“I definitely don't want to make it about me because it's always and always has been about the players. Ultimately, they're the men who step into the arena. They're the men in the formative years of their lives who dedicate so much to playing for their county.

“I have huge admiration and respect for them. I think the overriding feeling for me now is that I will miss the people. It's not necessarily the position because some of the relationships are really important to me. Some of those lads have been like kids to me, watching them grow up.

"They're a special group and I'm very, very grateful for them and for all they've given. They'll drive on and Dublin will be a good place next season and the season after.” Farrell described his time in charge as a pleasure. "I 've had a great innings. I think between being a player for Dublin underage and senior player and then as an underage coach and senior coach, manager, whatever you want to call it.

“I've got the guts of 40 years. It's a long time and it's been a privilege every year, every step of the journey. I've met some great people. I've had a ringside seat for some of the best players that ever performed in the arena out there.” The Na Fianna man felt the management had to stay intact to ensure some continuity after the likes of James McCarthy, Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion stepped aside from the playing group.

“I think with all the retirements from last season and if the management team had stepped away as well, it didn't feel like the right thing to do. I think everyone involved, management, coaches, backroom and players knew that this was going to be a different season. We just embraced that challenge and see where it took us. It was a very fulfilling and rewarding season.

"Some of the senior guys in that dressing room to a man stood up and picked up the cudgel and just went with it. The young lads that came in, the development we've seen taking place in them in six, nine months has been significant.

“I know there's challenges with underage in the county at the minute or over the last number of years, but there's a great crop after coming in there and I'd be very optimistic for how they go about their business in the seasons ahead.” Farrell’s parting words to his players in the losing dressing room was to take heart from the defeat and the season. “I said that to the lads in the dressing room today. While everyone's bitterly disappointed, sometimes failure is greatness waiting to happen. This could be a big platform for that group going forward. A lot of lessons in this season for players and for the group, and I think they'll be better for it and well set up to attack a new season in 2026.”

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