Kieran Duff: Brian was simply the best as a player and a friend

It’s fair to say that the St Vincent’s and Dublin giant left an indelible impression on many he encountered, whether as a towering and tireless force of nature on the field of play or in his roles as principal in Carndonagh Community School and subsequently as Director of Sport in University College Dublin.

Naturally, most of the memories generated at a time like this centre on his achievements in the sky blue of Dublin, with his four All-Ireland titles across the 1970s and 1980s reflecting the influence he brought to the county after many barren years leading up to their breakthrough in 1974.

“Although we knew that it was imminent, it was still a shock when I heard the news on Friday,” said Dublin legend Kieran Duff.

“When you look at the career that Brian had both on and off the field and how strong he was, it’s hard to fathom that his passing could happen so quickly.

“Memories came flooding back on Friday evening and the first memory that came to mind was the impression he made on me when he came into the team back in 1974.

“Brian was only 19 at the time but he seemed far more mature in terms of his physicality and football intelligence and he caught the eye in the manner in which he marauded through tackles and brushed lads aside. He appeared fearless and it was the impression that he made, more than any other player, that made me want to play for Dublin,” added Duff.

Of course, the Fingallians clubman saw that wish come true as he joined the Dublin senior panel in 1979, on the back of hugely impressive performances for the minor team a year previously.

That celebrated team from the 1970s were beginning to show signs of wear and tear, struggling to deal with Mick O’Dwyer’s brilliant Kerry side while coming under increasing pressure to defend their provincial title, as Offaly emerged as serious contenders for national honours.

honour

“I have to say that it was an honour and a privilege to share the dressing room with Brian,” said Duff.

“He was such an inspirational figure and to be a team-mate of his was a special feeling.

“However, to become his friend was even more important and I count myself very fortunate to have built up a strong friendship with him that has passed the test of time.

“We had some lovely chats when we met up in recent years, reminiscing about the old days and marveling about the current Dublin teams.

“A few of the former players met up at the championship match against Meath this year in Croke Park and it was lovely to see Brian in attendance. Of course, we chatted about football but he always made a point to ask about the wellbeing of my daughter Ciara and my wife Mags, which meant an awful lot to me.

“Brian had that horrific accident back in 1980 and I remember visiting him in hospital at the time and there was a genuine fear that he would never make it back out onto the pitch again.

“The truth is that very few could have made that type of recovery and the determination and courage that he showed in coming back was amazing.

“He has always had that strength and resilience and those characteristics were so important in getting him back into the Dublin fold.

“He possibly struggled initially, understandably so, but he returned to his brilliant best a year later and was the driving force behind us winning the All-Ireland in 1983.

“It was testimony to his character that he could produce that level of performance but it wasn’t that much of a surprise when you consider that you’re talking about Brian here,” added the two-time All Star.

1983 still remains one of the most remarkable and unique championship campaigns that Dublin have experienced. They required extra time to get the better of Meath in the opening round of the Leinster Championship before dethroning All-Ireland champions Offaly in the provincial decider.

A last-gasp Barney Rock goal saw Dublin earn a draw with Cork in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final, with Duff recalling some heated exchanges between himself and Mullins in the build-up to the replay in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“Brian was a leader and very supportive but he could be tough and harsh with you when he needed to be.

“He’d be honest with you and I remember him having a go at me as we watched the video from the drawn game ahead of the replay.

“Of course, I wasn’t afraid to speak my mind either so in many ways it was ironic how the replay panned out as we both delivered what were close to our best performances in a Dublin jersey.

“Given the argument that we had before the game, it was inevitable that we would seek each other out at the final whistle and that is where that iconic photograph with ‘Hill 17’ in the backdrop came from.

special day

“I have always loved that photo with Brian and a few of the supporters and I love the fact that the scoreboard is caught in the background.

“It was a truly special day and it’s lovely to have a picture like that to have as a memento.

“What we saw from Brian that day were the skills that made him such an important player for Dublin.

“He could take the knocks and had great mental resolve but he was a more than capable footballer who excelled at all the skills.

“He could kick off either foot, was brilliant in the air and he had a great brain on the pitch.

“He was an extremely talented player and I would see him as the complete midfielder.

“We would comment a lot about the Dublin players that have been central to their outstanding run over the past decade or so and those players certainly deserve all the plaudits that come their way.

“However, football is a different game now to when Brian and I played together and when the games were tougher, Brian was the one who dragged his team over the line, through his personality but also through his football intelligence.

“I would consider him the best midfielder that Dublin have ever had and maybe the best midfielder that the country has ever seen.

“It’s just hard to believe that he’s not with us anymore but he leaves us with a wonderful legacy.

“I’m truly honoured to have played with him but the friendship that I developed with him is just as important to me,” added Dully.