Dessie Farrell’s decision to remain as Dublin GAA football manager until the end of the 2025 season
is a clear sign he believes he has unfinished business with the club. After replacing legendary boss Jim Gavin in December 2019, Farrell has guided the Dubs to two All-Ireland Championships in four seasons.
There was plenty of speculation about Farrell’s future following their victory over Kerry in this year’s
final, but he has extended his stay with the club for another two seasons.Dublin County Board Chairman Mick Seavers said: “We are delighted that Dessie has agreed to stay on with the Dublin Senior Football team for another two seasons.
“Dessie and his backroom team have dedicated so much of their time and effort to Dublin GAA over
the past four seasons. We look forward to continuing to work with them in the years ahead.”Farrell had a tough job on his hands when he succeeded Gavin, with the team rated as overwhelming favourites by online bookmakers to win their sixth successive title.
After getting the job done, the best GAA betting sites In Ireland tipped them to make it seven-in-a-row in 2021, but a heartbreaking extra-time loss against Mayo in the semi-finals scuppered their hopes. Dublin were a popular pick with sports bettors heading into the 2022 campaign, but came up short
again as Kerry dumped them out of the competition at the same stage.
However, Farrell and his team would not be denied in 2023, claiming Dublin’s 31st All-Ireland
championship with a thrilling victory over Kerry at Croke Park. His decision to remain with the club should boost their hopes of adding another title to their haul next season, particularly if can keep the core of this year’s squad together.
With Farrell staying on for at least another couple of years, it is highly likely that star players Paul
Mannion and Jack McCaffrey will continue playing for Dublin. Several other Dublin veterans face uncertain futures, but their chances of remaining in the fold will likely have improved with Farrell remaining in charge.
If Farrell sees out his new deal, he will become Dublin’s third-longest-serving manager behind Gavin
and Kevin Heffernan. Staying with the club also gives him the chance to set the record straight. Dublin’s semi-final failures in 2021 and 2022 sparked plenty of debate about whether his success in his first year was due to the work Gavin had done during his time in charge.
Farrell partially put that notion to bed by guiding the team to the title this year, but going back-to-
back would undoubtedly put a cherry on top of the cake. If his team can defend the crown, Farrell would also match Heffernan's record of guiding Dublin to three Sam Maguire wins. Another victory in 2025 may even tempt him to chase Gavin’s tally of six championships.
The Dubs will head into the 2024 as the 3/1 second favourites to win the title and it would be a
brave move to back against them achieving the feat. Online bookmakers rate Kerry as the 15/8 favourites, while Galway (6/1), Derry (7/1) and Mayo (8/1) are also expected to be in contention for the title.
There is a sense that two titles in four seasons is not quite enough for Farrell and that he has some
unfinished business to attend to in Dublin. Given what he has already achieved with the club, it will be intriguing to see whether he can enhance his legacy over the next couple of years and maybe beyond.