'It's been a privilege' - Dessie Farrell steps down as Dublin manager
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Dessie Farrell has stepped down as the Dublin senior football manager after their seven-point loss to Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-finals on Saturday.
Farrell has been in charge of the Dubs since 2019 following the departure of Jim Gavin. The former Dublin player guided his county to win the All-Ireland Championship in 2020 and 2023.
Speaking to GAA+ after the loss to Tyrone at Croke Park, Farrell said he told the Dublin county board earlier this year that this would be his final season in charge, no matter the outcome, Irish Mirror reports.
Farrell said: "I would have informed the county board at the start of this season that regardless of what happened, this was going to be my last season.
"The players were aware of that and I just informed them inside there to confirm it.
"It's been a privilege. As a player and as a coach, I've been involved with Dublin for the guts of 40 years. So it's been a long, long time.
"It's been very much part and parcel of my life. I've met some many amazing people along the way, all the backroom teams, all the coaching of the underage teams, minor teams, U21 teams, and the senior teams for the last couple of years. I've met some special people.
"I've had a ringside seat in many ways to some of the greatest warriors that ever played the sport. I've been involved with some of them from under 13 right the way through to today. I've seen them grow from young boys to young men to older men.
"That's a journey I'm so grateful for. I'm delighted to be involved for as long as I have. We've had some good days and bad days, but that's all a part of professional sport.
"Some special memories, and some special bonds and relationships."
After a playing career that saw him lift the Sam Maguire Cup with Dublin in 1995, Farrell managed his county at minor and under-21 level before getting the call to replace Gavin in the senior hotseat in January 2020.
The Na Fianna man led Dublin, during a season interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, to a historic sixth All-Ireland title in succession in his first season in charge as they beat Mayo in the decider.
Farrell then led the Dubs back to Croke Park three years later as they ran out two-point winners over Kerry in the final.
But his last two seasons in charge saw Dublin exit the Championship at the quarter-final stage on both occasions.
This season they lost their first match in the Leinster Championship in 15 years when losing out to Meath in a thrilling semi-final in Portlaoise.
Farrell then led his side out of the group stages of the All-Ireland Championship and through a preliminary quarter-final with Cork last weekend.
But Dublin lacked their usual scoring accuracy in the quarter-finals as Tyrone pulled clear in the closing stages to record a seven-point victory.
Dublin County Board Chairperson Ken O'Sullivan said: "Dessie has played many significant roles across Dublin GAA and will feature heavily in the history of Gaelic Games in the county.
"Many will remember him first as an All-Ireland winner and All-Star, as part of the great 1995 Dublin All-Ireland winning team.
"Dublin GAA have been so fortunate to have Dessie involved with County panels from Development squad level through to the Dublin Senior panel.
"He led Dublin to success at all levels, managing teams to All-Ireland titles at Minor, U21 and Senior level.
"Dublin County Board thanks Dessie for his enormous contribution and dedication to Dublin GAA across so many years and we wish him and his family every success going forward.
"We also pay tribute to Dessie's backroom team and his panel, who have brought so much success and joy to Dublin GAA supporters during his tenure."
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