I don’t know where Dublin  Allianz protest story came from - Ger Brennan 

Ger Brennan has said his Dublin players are entitled to express opposition to the GAA’s Allianz sponsorship but he rejected claims that the panel had planned any type of coordinated protest.

Reports circulated earlier in the week that the Dubs were considering collective action ahead of their Allianz National Football League Division 1 opener against Donegal on Saturday evening - a game which ended in defeat for the hosts on a difference of 1-20 to 0-20. 

READ NEXT: Marksmen: How the Donegal players rated against Dublin at Croke Park 

However, speaking after to media, Brennan moved quickly to dismiss those claims.

Demonstrations linked to the sponsorship issue did take place outside Croke Park earlier in the day during Meath’s Division 2 victory over Derry, before Donegal overcame Dublin on Jones’ Road. 

But addressing speculation around a possible Dublin player protest, Brennan was emphatic: “There was no meeting, there was no conversation, there was nothing like that.

“As Dublin manager, I’m apolitical. I’m here to concentrate on football and that’s exactly how we’re going about our business as a management.”

And while denying any organised action by his squad, the Dublin boss did explain that individuals are free to make their own decisions, saying: “Whatever players want to do and members of the management team in their own capacity. 

“If they’re taking a stand on a particular issue, they have our full respect and full support, but I don’t know where the story came from. I have ideas but…”

Brennan also confirmed he had no objection to fulfilling media duties in front of Allianz branding. 

“I was happy enough to interview in front of Allianz (signage) if that was the case, yeah.”

Meanwhile, Brennan says his side was too slow out of the blocks against Donegal at they coughed up a six-point half-time lead, with Shea Malone’s goal proving to be the difference in the end. 

“It was a game of two halves, first and second,” he explained. “We lacked an awful lot of energy in the first half, which Donegal duly punished. 

“Again, in the first half we turned over the ball quite a bit, about eight turnovers in a row when we had the ball, which again just continues to give the impetus to Donegal. 

“I thought they were really impressive in terms of how they used the ball, playing the conditions into the hill end against that wind and they were quite economical”.

The hosts were much improved on the restart but while they did manage to peg Donegal back to within three, Jim McGuinness’ men would deservingly hold on. 

“Credit to the lads, second half we had a good chat, tried to clear up and tidy up on a couple of tactical pieces and obviously made a couple of changes as well. 

“We came out with a far more gusto and drove back Donegal, asked more questions of them and we obviously narrowed the gap to three points in the end. 

“We had a three up breach, they kick a two pointer, they have a three up breach, doesn't quite go over for us, that would have got it back to one I think. 

“They had two or three goal chances in the first half, they scored one, we had two or three goal chances in the second half, we didn't score”.