Stephen Cluxton set to return but Dublin suffer two further blows as key players opt out for 2025
Dessie Farrell says Dublin are set to be without Jack McCaffrey and Paul Mannion for their 2025 campaign, in a major blow to his side.
Farrell went on to reveal that John Small was undecided about committing this year, but that his younger brother Paddy was involved.
Stephen Cluxton (43) is back with the squad, but Farrell said he was nursing a minor injury, while he also said he would give Cuala veteran Michael Fitzsimons (35) some time before contacting him about a return.
Read more: Mayo star Conor Loftus scores the winning penalty to clinch All-Ireland title weeks after tragic death of fiancée
Farrell said that McCaffrey and Mannion are “not ones for retirement statements” but he insisted that the door remained open.
Flying wing back McCaffrey was an impact sub for most of last year, but started the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Galway, as did Mannion.
Both players were replaced in the second half of that one.
Speaking after the 1-17 to 1-15 opening Division 1 win over Mayo, Farrell said: “Paddy (Small) has been back.
“Jack and Paul, the conversations with those - these lads aren’t ones for releasing retirement statements or whatever, but I’d say it’s unlikely that the two lads will be involved with us this year.
“Of course, the door is always open if there’s any change of hearts or change of minds, but the way discussions have gone, it’s probably unlikely. I’m just being open and transparent about that.
“They know they’re more than welcome. Jack is very busy obviously in his profession. He’s not working in Dublin this year.
“Paul has significant commitments - work and family and that type of thing as well. It’s unlikely, but we never close the door, and possibly they don’t want to either so we’ll see how it goes.
“Stephen (Cluxton) has been back with us. He’s had a small little cleanout of the knee.
“He’s working his way back from that, but he’s been involved from the start. We’re looking forward to having him back in the next couple of weeks, to full participation in training, we hope.”
Fitzsimons has just helped Cuala to land the All-Ireland titles and is one of two players who could win a 10th Sam Maguire with Dublin if he returns - the other is Cluxton.
Dublin have already lost James McCarthy and Brian Fenton to retirement in the off season, while there was speculation about John Small’s future.
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