By Cóilín Duffy
Ger Brennan says he’s hoping to get back into the Dublin Senior Football panel for 2016.
The St Vincent’s defender withdrew from the squad recently, as he continues to battle back from injury.
Speaking at the launch of the M Donnelly Gaelic Football, Brennan says he’s hopeful that 2016 will see him back with Dublin for the first time since the All-Ireland Final win in 2013.
“That’s the hope going forward alright to be available and fit for 2016,” he said.
“I had to make a decision to draw a line in the sand this season. I was working hard with the medical team to try and get back in, but it was a bit of a slow burner.
“It was getting a bit frustrating, so the best decision for the foot to heal, was to step away and let the fit guys go at it.
“There was a long road ahead, so I decided to take a long break and give my achilles a chance to improve.”
Brennan says it’s hard to believe it’s almost two years since he has played for Dublin.
“The All-Ireland Final in 2013 against Mayo was my last game, and we obviously had our club run for the past two years, which I suppose inhibited my recovery time for the body to rest.
“That’s just the nature of the GAA, with the club and county seasons overlapping, there’s no end to it.
“That hampered me in the grand scheme of things, but at the same time would you change anything? No you wouldn’t, that’s just the way it is.”
While Brennan is keen to be back in action for his club’s Dublin SFC tie against Ballymun Kickhams, he isn’t setting an exact target for his return, after disappointment so far.
“I’ve no target at the minute, I failed with each of my targets so far this summer – just to give my head a rest, I decided not to put in a target date this time,” he said.
“I hope to be back with my club this year, with the second round against Kickhams, but if I can’t be back, I won’t go back. I have to listen to my body.”
Brennan has been happy with Dublin’s progress to an All-Ireland semi-final, and sees improvement in his side for the last-eight clash.
“The aim of the team is fairly clear and in the performance against Fermanagh last weekend there were some good things, and some not so good things.
“The players, I’m sure they are certainly happy to just get over the line and push Mayo or Donegal.”