Legendary Dublin footballer Bernard Brogan Snr often had to keep his thoughts to himself when watching his sons, Bernard, Paul and Alan play football.
Brogan Snr has been part of some of the most memorable Dubs moments prior to their monumental recent run.
From his spectacular goal in what is considered the greatest game of all time when Dublin defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland Football semi-final in 1977 to his All-Star season in 1979, Brogan Snr certainly knows a thing or two about football.
However, when it came time for his sons Paul, Bernard Jnr and Alan to take to the pitch, the elder Brogan often had to hold back from giving his two cents.
Speaking on OTB's new series, Passing It On, Brogan Snr responded to his son Alan, who asked if he would be watching out for the two Brogans specifically when he watched their games.
“I watched you more of what you were doing, and in a sense what I thought you should be doing as part of the team,” Brogan Snr. said.
“I know the whole game today is a 15-man game, and everybody has to slot into what they are doing, whereas when we played, it was more individual football.
“The keeper, or the fullback got the ball and he kicked it out to the middle of the field, and it was the midfielders’ job to get the ball, and if they didn’t get the ball, it wasn’t the fullback’s fault, it was the midfielder’s fault.
“Today, the way the game is played, the fella distributing the ball takes as much responsibility as the fella getting the ball.
“In that sense, I would have looked at you and be very conscious of it.”
Brogan Snr mentioned that he had differing opinions from the coaches about what his children should be doing, and that often meant holding his tongue, as he knew that the game had evolved.
“But I know that the instructions to the team would be different to the way I thought you should have been playing,” Brogan Snr. said. “I had to keep my council to myself!”
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