Stephen Cluxton

Stephen Cluxton has made a sensational return to the Dublin senior football panel. To the shock of everyone in Croke Park today, the legendary former ...

Footballer of the Year in 2019, his exit was never confirmed in 2021, with Farrell leaving the door open for a comeback right up until the start of the championship. The Dublin panel is a tightly-run operation with regards to leaks but even still, keeping the return of perhaps the most influential player in the county’s history under wraps is a impressive achievement in itself. Nobody, but nobody suspected that it was Cluxton.

Stephen Cluxton warmed up with the Dublin footballers ahead of their Round Seven group game against Louth as a move that came right out of left-field.

In an age of speculation and an active rumour-mill, it says a lot about the tightness of the Dublin panel that there wasn't a peep of his return in the last week. Manager Dessie Farrell appeared to confirm as much in early 2022 when, after an O'Byrne Cup game with Offaly, he said that Cluxton wouldn't be returning to the Dublin panel for the League or Championship. But just out of left field, and just like that, the Parnells club-man is back.

The 41-year-old goalkeeper has not played for the county since 2020.

Mannion, who likewise hasn’t played for Dublin since the 2020 final, was another late addition to the subs’ bench here. If and when Cluxton makes an appearance this season, it will mark 22 years since his debut in the 2001 championship. Stephen Cluxton made a shock return to the Dublin panel for this afternoon’s National League Division Two match against Louth in Croke Park.

Stephen Cluxton has made a shock return to the Dublin football panel after being named in the matchday squad for their crucial Allianz Football League match ...

In a late change to the matchday panel, Cluxton was named at number 16 in place of Michael Shiel with David O'Hanlon continuing as the Dubs' starting goalkeeper. Stephen Cluxton has made a shock return to the Dublin football panel after being named in the matchday squad for their crucial Allianz Football League match with Louth at Croke Park. The Parnell's clubman has not featured for his county since the All-Ireland final win over Mayo in December 2020 at Croke Park.

The former captain departed the set-up following the 2020 All-Ireland Championship victory. No retirement statement was released at the time, and manager Dessie ...

However, the 41-year-old appeared for Sunday’s Division 2 showdown with Louth at Croke Park. No retirement statement was released at the time, and manager Dessie Farrell was frequently asked about Cluxton’s status throughout the 2021 season. Dublin GAA announced that Cluxton was part of the substitutes bench for the tie.

DESSIE Farrell acknowledged that Stephen Cluxton hasn't returned to the Dublin squad just to sit the bench, after an unexpected turn of events in Croke ...

We’re delighted to have him in the mix.” We’re delighted to have him in the mix. Over the past couple of seasons, we’ve had a few players move on and retire.”

STEPHEN CLUXTON made a sensational return to the Dublin football panel against Louth on Sunday afternoon.And three years after the Sky Blues last won.

to which Molloy reassures him: "I am 100% sure he is not a mascot." Welcome back Mr Cluxton." COYBIB"

The legendary keeper was among the subs as Dessie Farrell's side beat Louth to set up a Division Two final with Derry.

We’re not ahead of anybody in that sense and where Dublin have improvements to make, our improvements won’t necessarily get us any closer.” He’s always been Dublin through and through and when the time calls, he’d step forward. “He has been training a couple of weeks now.