Dessie Farrell set to cut large chunk of Dublin players as panel is reduced for league campaign

"I'd imagine the figure will be around 36-38 players."

Dessie Farrell has some tough decisions to make ahead of their National League opener against Armagh this Saturday night. The Na Fianna man used up to 40 different players doing Dublin's O'Byrne Cup triumph in pre-season, and there are still a few established stars that haven't returned to the panel yet. The likes of Dean Rock, Jonny Cooper, Evan Comerford, Michael Fitzsimons, Robbie McDaid and Con O'Callaghan, are yet to join up with the squad, meaning that room will have to be made for them. The 2020 All-Ireland winning manager, has revealed that the squad will be cut down to 38 or 36 players for the Allianz National League.

"I'd imagine the figure will be around 36-38 players," said Farrell who also handed a senior debut to Ciaran Archer, a terrific scorer at U20 level, against Longford earlier this month.

"He got injured that day unfortunately, he missed out on his Sigerson game then so we're just monitoring how Ciaran's injury is coming on."

"I'd imagine that anyone who is going to be in the mix has been identified at this stage," said Farrell, who will come up against former Na Fianna playing colleague Kieran McGeeney on Saturday evening.

"Armagh were very impressive last season, probably unlucky not to go further in the Championship. They'll be relishing the opportunity to play in Division 1. They're well set up, well organised, very fit, physical and have a good style of football about them."

A Dublin captain has yet to be announced with Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Fenton sharing the duties in the O'Byrne Cup. Cooper and James McCarthy captained Dublin in 2021