Brian Fenton fears Ger Brennan long sideline ban could be a damaging distraction for Dublin's championship season ahead.
The Dubs were relegated from Allianz Football League Division 1 and had huge player turnover during an experimental campaign.
Brennan was given a red card for an incident with a Galway backroom member in the fixture which saw them go down.
He was sanctioned for "any type of physical interference with a team official" and given a 12-week ban.
As things stand, he will not be on the sideline for his side's Leinster Championship opener against Wicklow on Sunday.
He is also prohibited from any matchday activity.
Dublin are currently appealing to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) in one last effort to have Brennan's suspension overturned or reduced.
But the prospect of missing a huge chunk of Dublin's championship campaign is likely.
Fenton fears that could have a negative impact during a time when heads are low: "If Ger was there coaching, I think they'd be all in. But I think just with the suspension and half in half out of training and potentially no communication with the players and stuff, that doesn't serve anything but a distraction for the team.
"Hopefully we might have a good decision [appeal to the DRA] on it before the weekend. But that hasn't helped."
The drop to Division 2 could prove a benefit for Dublin next season, according to the new RTE GAA podcast contributor Fenton on this week's football episode.
Two wins in seven matches in the top tier this year was a poor return, although many new players were given opportunities for inter-county experience.
Asked how he feels the country are set for the summer to come, Fenton said: "It's hard to say. Naturally they'll be very disappointed to be relegated from Division 1 to Division 2. I don't think it's the worst thing for them, to be honest. It is just the phase of redevelopment that they're in.
"Division 2 next year is no easy task either. There are unbelievable teams down there and they'll find it very hard to come out of that.
"I think there's no hiding place in Division 1, particularly when you're trying to blood new players and get a new management system and new coaches up to scratch.
"In Division 1 there is no room for error. You'll be punished. And they were probably relegated on merit.
"But again, the championship is different. Different beast, different animal."
Despite the poor performances, the seven-time All-Ireland winner still believes his county can come good to challenge in the Leinster Championship.
One issue he would like ironed out is what he sees as being too dependent on Con O'Callaghan, who remains the star attraction while new faces are coming into the panel.
Fenton continued: "If you look at Dublin's first XV, they'll take on anyone. I have no doubt about it. We didn't see an awful lot of him in the league but give Con O’Callaghan the ball. He's good for 1-04 or 1-05 every game.
"There seemed to be an overreliance on Con when he was playing during the league [as well]. I think even for two pointers and stuff, I don't know if Dublin fully got their head around it.
"When Con was on, Dublin were constantly looking for Con to get him the ball and 'Con will look after us'. So that can be a challenge.
"You're looking for other players to step up. There is lots of experience there. Don't get me wrong, Con is really the spearhead of the team. Dublin need to have him fit and in form if they are going to even challenge for Leinster this year."
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