<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
2026 will mark three years since their last All-Ireland triumphs, and they have exited the championship at the quarter-final phase in both of the intervening years.<\/p>\n
By the evidence of the opening three rounds of the National Football League, they will not be heavily tipped to go much deeper than that this year.<\/p>\n
Brennan’s first two games in charge saw Dublin ship back-to-back defeats to Donegal and Mayo, before a lacklustre performance at home to Monaghan on Saturday night finally brought a first win of 2026.<\/p>\n
However, there was little in the way of excitement for spectators in Saturday’s game under the Croke Park lights.<\/p>\n
It appears as though there is still a long way to go for Dublin, who were described as “bang average” by Pat Spillane this week.<\/p>\n
READ HERE: Tyrone Legend Predicts Much Changed Donegal Role For Michael Murphy This Season<\/a><\/p>\n READ HERE: Paddy McBrearty Thinks Armagh Only Have Themselves To Blame Despite McGeeney’s ‘Piggery’ Claim<\/a><\/p>\n Pat Spillane does not think much of Dublin footballers<\/p>\n Pat Spillane dissected the weekend’s Gaelic football action on the Indo Sport podcast<\/a>, and issued a damning verdict on Ger Brennan’s Dublin.<\/p>\n ‘Dublin are bang average’ \u2014 Irish Independent Sport (@IndoSport) February 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The pack of teams vying for Sam Maguire is at least five strong, but the feeling is that Dublin are some measure behind that group.<\/p>\n That’s certainly the opinion of Kerry great Spillane.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n “Dublin are bang average,” Spillane said on the Indo Sport podcast.<\/p>\n It’s no secret that Dublin were bailed out by the brilliance of Con O’Callaghan in the victory over Monaghan, with the Cuala star electric from full forward in an otherwise lifeless display.<\/p>\n The Dubs reliance on Con is the most concerning aspect of their malaise for Spillane.<\/p>\n Con, without playing well, is still their best player. God forbid if he wasn’t around.<\/p>\n They showed character, that’s the one thing that I can say about these Dubs. I mean, the last 15 minutes, we talk about momentum, they out-scored Monaghan 1-5 to one point.<\/p>\n But Monaghan – and ’tis only a very average Monaghan team as well – [had] six goal chances. They probably should have won it.<\/p>\n This was an awful game.<\/p>\n It’s hard to argue with Pat Spillane’s verdict on the dour spectacle served up by Dublin and Monaghan on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Whether Dublin’s issues will be a more long-term concern across 2026, however, remains to be seen.<\/p>\n The Dubs are back in action this Saturday with the daunting visit of David Clifford and Kerry to GAA HQ.<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: Joe Brolly Lands First Senior GAA Club Management Role For 2026 Season<\/a><\/p>\n
‘They have a long way to go before being competitive’
Pat Spillane and Dick Clerkin not impressed with the Boys in Blue so far in the league.
Listen to the Indo GAA podcast now.#IndoGAA<\/a> #DublinGAA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mmXv0vVpUF<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/pat-spillane-pinpoints-most-damning-aspect-of-quot-bang-average-quot-dublin.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n