Cora Staunton does not believe that the uncertainty over the future of Stephen Cluxton will have any negative impact of the Dublin squad and claimed that they could even be using the situation to their advantage.
In the wake of their Leinster Championship victory over Wexford, Dublin manager Dessie Farrell admitted that he does not know what the future holds for Cluxton.
Farrell confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper has stepped away from the Dublin squad for the time being, but insisted that he has not yet retired from inter-county football.
Much of the conversation surrounding Dublin this week has been focused on Cluxton's future and speaking on the RTÉ GAA Podcast, Staunton claimed that this is exactly what the Dubs want.
"Are Dublin and Dessie being a little bit cute?" she asked. "Are they taking the pressure off the team in regards to it all being about Cluxton now?
"It’s not about the performances. We’re not talking about Dublin and their mediocre performance against Wexford as much as we’re talking about Cluxton and whether he’s staying or going.
"I’d be very surprised if Stephen hasn’t let the management team and players know that he’s not coming back.
"Obviously, he doesn’t want the attention around him but are they using it from the point of view of making everyone wonder if Cluxton might still be coming back?
"I just think they’re around the block too long and yes it’s a little bit of a distraction but I think that Dublin team are so professional now that it’s only a small little distraction."
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Staunton feels that a decision has already been made on Cluxton’s future with Dublin, but that the All-Ireland champions will only reveal that at a time that suits them.
"I think they well know Cluxton’s not going to come back this year, they know what their team is moving forward, Comerford’s going to be their goalkeeper," she said.
"It’s everyone else that’s getting worked up and distracted, the Dublin panel are there too long [to be affected]. With the likes of the Kilkenny hurlers, if you’re around in that era when you’re winning and being successful, everything else is closed off and you don’t get distracted.
"Dublin know what they want and at some stage this year, Dessie will have to come out and say that Cluxton has retired but I just think they’re waiting for their time and taking a little bit of pressure off."
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