Brian Fenton's retirement last month shocked the GAA world.
The 31-year-old called time on a decade-long intercounty career seemingly at or around the peak of his powers. Fenton is one of the greatest to ever play the game. While Dublin fans were expecting a number of retirements from the stalwarts of the 2011 campaign, Fenton's caught everyone off guard.
He leaves a huge void in the Dublin midfield, but also within elite gaelic football. He played the game with brilliance and joy.
He has sat down with Michael Foley in the Sunday Times this morning for his first interview since calling time on his Dublin career. It's a fascinating and emotional chat that's fully worth the price of the paper or online subscription.
There was one section in particular that was worth highlighting.
Fenton discussed that brief conversation he had with Kerry's David Clifford in the moments after Dublin won the 2023 All-Ireland final. They shared a handshake that was documented by Eoin Noonan of Sportsfile. It summed up everything that is great about sport.
30 July 2023; David Clifford of Kerry is consoled by Brian Fenton of Dublin after his side's defeat in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
That day, Fenton and his teammates had avenged the hurt of losing the previous year's semifinal to Kerry. Clifford was not surprisingly devastated. Whatever about the match that had just been played, Clifford's mother Ellen had passed away on the eve of the 2023 Munster final.
Fenton's own mother Marian had passed away when he was just 20 and he told Foley that he passed on his sympathy to the Fossa man.
“I just said to him, ‘look, she’s very proud of you’. I’ve been there. I felt that pain. I don’t know. When players come over to me and they’re shaking my hand I’m like, will you ever f*** off. You’re like whatever, all right, thanks. He was probably thinking that, but I just kind of felt the desire to tell him, that’s all.”
When Fenton was named PwC Footballer of the Year in 2018 he spoke of his love for his departed mother.
Mam is always remembered. She’s always the inspiration that drives me on and the family on. For her not to be here is, again, bittersweet. But, no doubt, she’s my number one supporter always and she’ll be proud today, yeah.
The handshake and those few words after the 2023 final were a sign of the brilliance of Brian Fenton, a warrior and a gentleman.
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