Brennan opts out of Dublin football panel

GER BRENNAN has left the Dublin football panel. An All-Ireland club winner with St Vincent's last March and part of the Dublin minor side that reached the AllIreland final in 2003, the defender revealed his decision by phone to manager Paul Caffrey early this week. It was relayed to the players at training on Tuesday night.

"We encouraged him to stay, but we fully respect his decision," said Caffrey yesterday. "He's been on the go now non-stop for quite some time and has decided to take a complete break from both club and county."

Brennan, an important cog in the St Vincent's team that conquered Dublin and Leinster before beating Nemo Rangers on St Patrick's Day, appears to have become frustrated with the lack of opportunity at intercounty level.

Caffrey used him as a wing back in last year's league despite all his representative underage and club football being at centre back.

The presence of Bryan Cullen seems to have ruled out any chance of Brennan being handed the number-six jersey against Louth on June 8th. The All Star wing back Barry Cahill has also been preferred in the position by the Dublin management.

Brennan is expected to be available for St Vincent's come the Dublin football championship.

Caffrey also confirmed Bernard Brogan would not appeal an eight-week suspension to the Disputes Resolution Authority.

"We had a meeting with Bernard last night and we discussed it," said Caffrey. "He slept on his options overnight and he's decided that he's not going to go forward with his appeal. That's Bernard Brogan, Ciarán Whelan, Paul Flynn and Diarmuid Connolly (out), so that creates its own challenge. The other side of that is that, while we are sorry we won't have those guys available, it does create a great opportunity for guys to get in and stake a claim."

There was, however, some good news for Dublin as regular corner back Paul Griffin returns to county training next Tuesday after several months abroad.