We were determined to bring our 'A' game: Brian Fenton

We were determined to bring our ‘A’ game: Brian Fenton

Thu, 6th September 2018

Brian Fenton has highlighted Dublin's determination not to fall into the trap of complacency prior to last Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final.

While the Dubs entered the game as red-hot favourites the Raheny colossus says his side weren't going to let 2018 be the 'Summer of the Underdog'.

"There’s always a danger. You see possibly the Galway (senior) hurlers, the Cork under-21 hurlers — it has been potentially the 'Summer of the Underdog'.

“There’s WhatsApp messages saying ‘Look, if we don’t bring our A game, they’ll catch us on the hop and they’ll be going up the steps of the Hogan’," says Brian.

“So that drives us certainly. Yeah, look, that sort of breeds complacency and it’s something we snuff out straight away, luckily, among ourselves.

“We’re talking about how difficult it’s going to be and that sort of stuff, they’re the things you talk about rather than, ‘Jesus, wouldn’t it be great to win four in a row?’.

“It’s not the conversation you have in the dressing room," adds the four-time All-Ireland winner.

“Every time we’ve played Tyrone this year it’s been an incredible battle.

“Up in Omagh was tough and we played them in the league up there and it was tough. We knew the challenge they posed.

“Having beaten them I came with that confidence that if we show up and prepare diligently that we’ll perform.

“Having beaten them twice this year, it comes with that sort of confidence to say, ‘Look, if we go out and we perform, we’ll get the result at the end of the day’.

“Jim’s always reminding us, and you might think it’s spoof, but we’re so lucky to be in this position.

“Me and my Dad are always talking about how lucky I am to be fit, healthy, young, to play with Dublin and play in Croke Park. It’s incredible.

“We’re all aware of how lucky we are and how special it is," states Brian.

“You see the likes of Bernard Brogan, for myself to be injury-free, to do those lads justice, to see Cian O’Sullivan going off on Sunday having worked so hard to get back for the final.

“We know we have to pick up the pace and do those lads justice.

"Jack McCaffrey talked about how last year, when he got injured, how thankful he was to the rest of us to see the game through and to get him the medal.

"That’s lovely to hear. Look, we’re well aware of it and hopefully next year we stay injury-free and we’ll be back to do it all again.”