At 27 years of age, Brian Fenton has achieved immortality as a Gaelic footballer, winning multiple All-Ireland titles, as well as a number of personal accolades.
Former team-mates Bernard Brogan and Paul Flynn believe that Fenton is the best footballer of all time, and told OTB Sports' SuperValu roadshow why that is.
The Dublin panel contains several generational talents, such as Con O'Callaghan, Ciaran Kilkenny and former star, Jack McCaffrey, however, Flynn and Brogan believe that Fenton is the very best.
"There is a lot of talk about Fenton at the moment but I think he is the best player to ever play the game," said Flynn.
"He has got everything. He has got the physique, the skill, his attitude is off the charts."
Leadership can take on a different meaning in every sport. Fenton's ability to lead by example, while concentrating on his own game, was of particular importance to Flynn.
Flynn outlined Fenton's dedication to the game and how he continually attempts to give himself the best opportunity to win through meticulous preparation.
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile"Brian is always taking notes. He is very studious, he has a high footballing IQ, and is always looking to grow on and off the pitch," Flynn continued, noting that the midfielder is well-rounded and not dominant in just one area.
"I just think the guy is leading the way now. You see him on the pitch now, he is demanding and it reminds me of Paul O'Connell. It has been great to see his development from the start," he concluded.
Is Brian Fenton only warming up?
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Flynn's assessment of Fenton centres around his belief that this year, the Raheny man is "letting it go."
He is, in Flynn's words "enjoying his football" and 'in the zone.'
Does that mean he has been holding back up until this point? That thought is frightening.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson"He looks like he is enjoying his football and he is going for it," Flynn continued.
"That is great to see.
"He could be 45 yards out, it is like he is doing a solo," Flynn said of the effortless nature with which Fenton strikes the ball.
"He just flicks the ball and they all travel over."
Brian Fenton v Jack O'Shea
Fenton is undoubtedly supremely talented, but does this mean he is superior to the greats of the past?
Brogan, another former teammate of Fenton's, believes that the hype is justified.
"I mentioned it earlier in the year on Twitter," Brogan said of Fenton being the greatest footballer ever.
"Obviously the Jack O'Shea conversation came up and I did not live through his time.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland"I saw some videos of times from when my Dad played [at the same time as O'Shea], I think he won two or three Player of The Year awards.
"He was obviously an awesome character. People would question Brian [in that] he is on a really strong team and that obviously helps.
"There are loads of amazing players throughout the years, Brendan Murphy in Carlow and Paddy Keenan in Louth. Players [who] drove their county for a long time and in a great team, they could have been exceptional.
That is a fair argument, but for me, I agree with [Flynn]," Brogan said.
The grace of Brian Fenton on the pitch masks his unbelievable work rate
Both Brogan and Flynn described the midfielder's playing style as "effortless", but that description can be quite deceptive.
The two men were at pains to describe Fenton's ferocious work ethic, which has led to him reaching unparalleled heights, in their opinion.
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson"He is smooth on the ball," Brogan continued.
"His endurance is frightening. The kilometres he is putting up [in a game], you would not believe. If you look at the tracker, the level of work-rate he puts in, but he looks like he is gliding.
"His striking of the ball, which I prided myself on trying to be the best that I could be, is effortless, it is just so, so natural.
"I love that he did not play minor football. I love the narrative around Brian Fenton. He is such an inspirational character for kids, for anyone in the game. Brian is so humble," Brogan said.
Dublin have brilliant individuals but the collective was always more important
Despite the individual brilliance of many of the Dublin players, their dedication to collectively dominating games was always more important, according to Flynn.
Even on the training pitch, those involved would strive to push one and other to scale new heights.
"If someone was not having a good day there would be other guys who were going to drive the standards," he said.
"Everyone arrived at training switched on."
Dublin are well situated to retain their All-Ireland championship, despite Dessie Farrell replacing Jim Gavin at the helm.
If they are to do so, their mercurial midfielder will certainly be at the heart of that effort.
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