Stephen Cluxton made his first start for the Dublin footballers since the 2020 All-Ireland SFC final this evening — an OurGame exclusive.
Stephen Cluxton made his first start for the Dublin footballers since the 2020 All-Ireland SFC final this evening.
Dessie Farrell’s Dubs played a challenge match against Meath at Fingallians GAA this evening, winning comfortably.
Cluxton’s most recent outing for the capital was that most recent Sam Maguire win over Mayo on 19 December 2020 — a 2-14 to 0-15 win.
Sources in Dublin GAA circles have revealed that the six-time All Star returned to training a couple of weeks ago, and his presence has been a closely-guarded secret.
The GAA public was in shock when the 2019 Footballer of the Year trotted out with the panel at Croke Park for the league fixture against Louth on Sunday, sporting a training top with the number 28.
After a game in which Dublin prevailed on a scoreline of 0-16 to 1-6, manager Farrell explained how the Parnells shot-stopper came back into the panel.
“Stephen has been one of the most talented goalkeepers the game has ever seen,” Farrell said of Cluxton, who turns 42 later this year.
“While he has been away for a while, we had a couple of goalkeeping injuries.
“Evan [Comerford] hasn’t played any football this season yet. He’s worked hard to get back to full fitness, and hopefully will achieve that through the championship campaign.
“David O’Hanlon has been doing really well since he stepped in, and really pleased with David’s performances.
“But obviously they need cover there, and Stephen has always said he’d be willing to give a dig out if the need arose.
“And it has arisen, and we’re delighted to have him in the mix.”
