Dublin legend Charlie Redmond says that Bernard Brogan getting a jersey on Sunday would be a “fitting climax to his career”.
Brogan, 35, has been well down the pecking order this year, his only Championship appearance being off the bench in the dead rubber win over Tyrone on a day when Dublin fielded a second string.
He’s only made the matchday 26 once outside of that, against Roscommon, and it isn’t expected that he will be part of Jim Gavin’s plans for Sunday’s final against Kerry.
Either way, it’s anticipated that the 2010 Footballer of the Year will retire from inter-county football after the campaign is out.
Redmond said: “There’s no doubt he has more days behind him in a Dublin jersey than are in front of him.
“I think, for a man who has given the service to the county that he has given over the years, it would be a fitting climax to his career [for him to make the 26] – if it is to be his climax.
“Then again Jim will be looking at who is the best forward that serves him to go in at a certain time, would it be Bernard, would it be Connolly?
“There are a number of permutations. So you have to look at that if you are Jim, but personally as a Dublin supporter, as a past Dublin player, I would love to see him get a jersey on Sunday.
“Even if Dublin weren’t to prevail, for him to wear the jersey, if it is to be his last time to wear it, to do so on an All-Ireland final Sunday would be great.”
Brogan’s prospects haven’t been helped by surprise the return of Diarmuid Connolly last month, however.
Redmond, speaking at the launch of the Londis All-Ireland Sevens which will be hosted as usual by Kilmacud Crokes this Saturday, continued: “I’ve always said it, for me Diarmuid Connolly is the greatest forward Dublin has ever produced.
"And when you think of what we’ve produced over the years in Hanahoe, Keaveney, Hickey, O’Toole, Kevin Heffernan himself. For me this guy is the best.
“Did I think we’d see him again in a Dublin jersey this season? No, I thought that boat had sailed.
“I thought even when he didn’t get into America, I still didn’t think we’d see him in a Dublin jersey.
"But I’m absolutely thrilled, I’m over the moon that he’s back, albeit it puts pressure on other forwards – that’s what you want.”
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