Dublin manager Dessie Farrell has been dealt a further blow ahead of the 2025 season with the news that star midfielder Brian Fenton has retired from inter-county football.
The shock decision of the 31-year-old to step out of the inter-county arena comes off the back of James McCarthy's retirement, which was confirmed earlier this month.
The Raheny man won seven All-Ireland medals during his 10 seasons in sky blue, as well as 10 Leinster medals, and he was awarded two Footballer of the Year awards in that time.
The midfielder won six All-Star awards and was involved in Dublin sides that claimed the Allianz Football League Division 1 title in four seasons.
Fenton, who didn't lose a championship game with the Dubs from his debut in 2015 until 2021, bows out widely recognised as one of the greatest midfielders in the game.
He was part of a Dublin team that created history with six consecutive senior football titles, beating the previous record of four on the spin held by Kerry and Wexford.
After finally losing out to Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2021, Dublin fell at the same stage in 2022 to eventual champions Kerry.
But the return of Stephen Cluxton early in 2023, which followed news that Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion were making themselves available again, led Fenton to claim his seventh and final Celtic Cross in July of last year as the Metropolitans sank defending champions, and old foes, Kerry in the decider.
His final game for Dublin was in this summer's All-Ireland quarter-final when they lost out to Galway, the earliest exit for the Dubs from the championship in 15 years.
"Probably one of Dublin's best ever players" - Ciarán Whelan and Kevin McManamon pay tribute to Brian Fenton after the six-time All-Star's surprise retirement #GAA pic.twitter.com/Dxnjv8u7UL
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 19, 2024
Dublin County Board chairman Michael Seavers paid tribute to Fenton: "Brian was an integral figure in the incredible success enjoyed by Dublin over the past decade.
"He is a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players to grace the field in a blue jersey.
"We thank Brian for his unwavering commitment to Dublin football.
"We wish him and his family all the best going forward and look forward to welcoming him back to Parnell Park as he continues to play with his club Raheny."
Watch Cuala v Tullamore in the Leinster Football Championship semi-final on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
