Brian Fenton has hailed Dessie Farrell's decision to continue as Dublin boss - and is confident that Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy are coming back for more after the county's latest All-Ireland SFC triumph.

Farrell guided the Dubs to the Sam Maguire Cup for the second time in four years in the summer. It was confirmed last month that he is staying on until the end of the 2025 campaign.

"I texted him after to say happy days, but he never gave us any inclination he was going," said Fenton, who is shortlisted for the Footballer of the Year award with Kerry's David Clifford and Brendan Rodgers of Derry that will be announced on Friday night.

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“From our point of view it was just see what happens, contract extensions - all that Premier League stuff - on the county board end.

"I’ve known no one other than Dessie and Jim Gavin, so it probably would have been weirder for me, bringing in a new manager.

"So when I knew Dessie was staying - obviously it's a big sacrifice for him, so we’re thankful he’s giving it another crack.

Dessie Farrell
Dessie Farrell

"Two years would make sense in my view, rather than the pressure of this year being an ultimatum, to bring in new lads, see how they bed into the team. Two years was a no-brainer."

The all-conquering Dubs are taking a team holiday to the Dominican Republic this week before pre-season training starts in early December and Fenton, who has seven All-Ireland titles, is very optimistic that the gang will all be back together for the new season.

Cluxton, McCarthy and Mick Fitzsimons have a record nine each - Cluxton returned in dramatic fashion at the end of the League last year, while Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey also came back to the fold as the Dubs claimed their first All-Ireland title in three years.

Footballers Brian Fenton and Caoimhe O'Connor, Staycity Aparthotels chief executive Tom Walsh, Dublin GAA chief executive Finbar OMahony, camogie player Emma O'Byrne and hurler Donal Burke launch new kit and sponsorship deal
Footballers Brian Fenton and Caoimhe O'Connor, Staycity Aparthotels chief executive Tom Walsh, Dublin GAA chief executive Finbar OMahony, camogie player Emma O'Byrne and hurler Donal Burke launch new kit and sponsorship deal

McCarthy, 33, was seriously considering retirement from intercounty football in the aftermath.

"You're kind of scared to ask as well, you're scared to ask whoever you're thinking of, the likes of Clucko," said Fenton, who said that Raheny and Dublin clubmate Brian Howard is on course to return in January after a knee injury.

"It's not something that I'd be in a position to ask - I'd never be looking to Clucko, saying, 'Here, are you coming back?'.

"It's a waiting game. I know that Dessie is having those chats but you're kind of just waiting to see who shows up and if they don't then we've been there before, they don't, and you just keep ploughing on.

"Maccer will be back. He's not going anywhere, I'm not letting him go anywhere!

Dublin’s Michael Fitzsimons, Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy celebrate after the 2023 All-Ireland final
Dublin’s Michael Fitzsimons, Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy celebrate after the 2023 All-Ireland final

"As of now, genuinely, I haven't heard of anyone that's stepping away, thankfully.

"A couple of the lads are travelling, Con (O'Callaghan) is away now, Davy Byrne is away for a few months. Obviously there are lads who want to see Australia and scratch that itch.

"But there's been no 'see you later lads', no-one leaving the WhatsApps or anything. So yeah, I don't know. Hopefully they will."

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