Stephen Cluxton

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A free kick to win the All-Ireland...Stephen Cluxton...in
his 55th championship match...15 points in his career
so far, he's already got one today...the distance with
the angle about 45 metres, here he comes to win the
All-Ireland...Cluxton...he's put it over the bar...and Dublin
are in front by 1–12 to 1–11...Cluxton the hero.

RTÉ's Ger Canning describes the last moments of the
2011 All-Ireland final.

Dublin surrendered their title to Meath in 2010 in a game which saw Cluxton concede five goals; however, he won a seventh Leinster Championship medal the following year after a 2–12 to 1–12 defeat of Wexford in the final. [25] [26] On 18 September 2011, Cluxton lined out in goal against Kerry in his first All-Ireland SFC final. In the 72nd minute of the game, and with the sides level, he scored a free kick to secure a 1–12 to 1–11 victory and a first All-Ireland SFC title for Dublin in 16 years. [26] Shortly after the final whistle, Cluxton was presented with the match ball by Tomás Ó Sé; however, in keeping with his intensely private persona, he avoided the post-match celebrations and retreated to the dressing room. Dublin teammate Paul Flynn paid tribute afterwards: "He [Cluxton] is out training an hour before everybody else and he kicks them over with his eyes closed. I didn't even look at the kick. I looked at him and he just kicked it and ran back. He is a phenomenal man, I am delighted for him." [27] Cluxton ended the season by winning a fourth All Star Award, as well as being nominated for Footballer of the Year. [28]

On 22 July 2012, Cluxton won an eighth Leinster SFC medal after a 2–13 to 1–13 defeat of Meath in the final. [29] Dublin later surrendered their All-Ireland SFC title; however, Cluxton ended the season with another All Star nomination but lost out to Donegal's Paul Durcan for the goalkeeping position. [30] Jim Gavin's appointment as manager of Dublin in October 2012 resulted in Cluxton taking over the captaincy of the team. [31]

2013–2020
Cluxton taking a kick-out against Mayo during the 2012 All-Ireland SFC semi-final Kickout 2012 cropped.jpg
Cluxton taking a kick-out against Mayo during the 2012 All-Ireland SFC semi-final

On 28 April 2013, he won his first silverware as captain when the Dublin team defeated Tyrone by 0–18 to 0–17 to win the National Football League title for the first time in 20 years. [32] He later won a ninth Leinster SFC medal when he captained Dublin to a 2–15 to 0–14 defeat of Meath in the final. [33] He was later criticised on The Sunday Game for time wasting by taking 7 minutes and 54 seconds to take seven frees during the game. [34] On 22 September 2013, Cluxton captained Dublin for the first time in an All-Ireland SFC final. He ended the game as Dublin's second top scorer with two points from frees in Dublin's 2–12 to 1–14 defeat of Mayo. [35] Cluxton ended the year by winning a fifth All Star Award, while he was also nominated for Footballer of the Year for a second time. [36] [37]

On 27 April 2014, Cluxton won a second successive National League medal as captain of the team following Dublin's 3–19 to 1–10 defeat of Derry in defending their title. [38] He later won his 10th Leinster SFC medal, as Dublin retained the title for a fourth successive year following a 3–20 to 1–10 defeat of Meath. [39] Dublin later surrendered their All-Ireland title; however, Cluxton ended the season with another All Star nomination but lost out to Donegal's Paul Durcan for the second time in three seasons. [40]

Cluxton captained Dublin to a third successive National League title on 26 April 2015 after a 1–12 to 2–7 defeat of Cork in the final. [41] Later that season, Dublin's dominance continued in the Leinster SFC, with Cluxton winning an 11th provincial medal when he captained Dublin to a 2–13 to 0–06 defeat of Westmeath in the final. [42] [43] On 20 September 2015, he became the first goalkeeper to score in three All-Ireland finals when he captained Dublin to a 0–12 to 0–9 defeat of Kerry. [44] It was his third All-Ireland SFC winners' medal.

Cluxton again led Dublin to an All-Ireland SFC final in 2016 against Mayo. This ended a draw after a relatively poor game due to difficult weather conditions, on a scoreline of 2–9 to 0–15. [45] He captained Dublin to win the replay on a scoreline of 1–15 to 1–14. [46]

In 2017, Dublin were narrowly defeated in the National League final by Kerry by a single point. Dublin, however, went on to win a record seven Leinster SFC titles in-a-row. [47] On 17 September, Cluxton again captained Dublin to a historic 3-in-a-row All-Ireland SFC titles with another narrow 1–17 to 1–16 victory against Mayo. [48] Having been outplayed in the first half, the Dubs turned the game around to win a thrilling game courtesy of a 75th-minute Dean Rock free. [49]

Cluxton started in six of Dublin's games during the 2018 National League, during which time he made his 100th league appearance. [50] On 1 April 2018, he captained Dublin to a fifth league title in seven seasons after an 0–18 to 0–14 defeat of Galway in the final. During the subsequent Leinster SFC semi-final defeat of Longford, Cluxton suffered an injury to the lower back after a challenge by James McGivney. The injury resulted in him missing his first championship game since 2004; however, he won a 14th Leinster SFC medal as a non-playing substitute after Dublin's 1–25 to 0–10 defeat of Laois in the final. [51] [52] On 2 September 2018, Cluxton made his 200th appearance for Dublin when he captained the team to a record-equalling fourth successive All-Ireland SFC title after a 2–17 to 1–14 defeat of Tyrone in the final. [53] In doing so he broke his own record by becoming the only player in the history of the championship to captain a team to four All-Ireland titles in-a-row. It was his fifth time captaining the team to the title while it was his sixth All-Ireland winners' medal overall. [54] While his teammates celebrated, Cluxton took out a broom and swept the changing room floor. [55] [56]

Cluxton became his county's most capped player on 17 October 2020, overtaking Johnny McDonnell's record against Meath in the National League. [57] On 19 December 2020, Cluxton won his eight All-Ireland SFC title and seventh as captain as Dublin defeated Mayo in the 2020 All-Ireland SFC final. [58]

2021–2023

Cluxton was missing from the Dublin panel in both the 2021 League and Championship campaigns as Dublin shared the Allianz Division 1 Football League title with Kerry, and lost their first Championship match since 2014 against Mayo in the 2021 All-Ireland SFC semi-final, ending their quest for 7 consecutive All-Ireland SFC titles, and bringing the most successful and continuously dominant period in the history of Gaelic football to an end.[ citation needed ]

His absence was a discussion point in the media throughout the year, with some speculation as to whether no announcement was in-keeping with Cluxton's low profile personality, or whether the departure was more acrimonious in nature.[ citation needed ] On 8 January 2022, in the aftermath of Dublin's O'Byrne Cup victory over Offaly, Dublin manager Dessie Farrell announced that Cluxton would not be returning to the Dublin fold for the coming league and championship, [59] seemingly all but confirming Cluxton's retirement.[ citation needed ]

However, despite his absence the previous two years, Cluxton was named as a substitute in Dublin's Round 7 Division 2 match against Louth in March 2023. [60] This return came as a major surprise due to speculation of a falling out between Cluxton and Dublin manager Dessie Farrell.

On 30 July 2023, Cluxton was part of the Dublin team to with the 2023 All-Ireland SFC final.

In September 2025, it was announced that Cluxton would be joining the backroom team of the recently appointed Dublin senior manager Ger Brennan. [61]

International rules

Cluxton made his debut appearance for Ireland in the International Rules Series during the 2002 test series won by Australia. He was part of the victorious Irish team during the 2004 International Rules Series, winning the Irish player of the tournament award. [62]

Cluxton kept a clean sheet when he played in goal for Ireland in the 2010 International Rules Series in Limerick. [63] Cluxton captained Ireland during the 2011 International Rules Series in Australia. [64] Ireland went on to win the Series. [65]

Injury ruled him out of the 2013 International Rules Series, with Paddy O'Rourke selected as goalkeeper. [66] [67] [68]

Reception

Cluxton has been described by some commentators as the "best Gaelic football goalkeeper of all time". [69] Irish Times writer Malachy Clerkin described him as having had "one of the GAA's greatest careers", [70] while Colm O'Rourke has described Cluxton as "the best goalkeeper I have seen". [71]

Personal life

As of 2012, Cluxton was a secondary school teacher, teaching Biology at St. Vincent's C.B.S. in Glasnevin. [72]

Charity work

In April 2011, while participating in a charity association football match between Darndale F.C. and Liverpool/Manchester United Legends in aid of Autism Ireland, Cluxton clashed with former Republic of Ireland national football team player Jason McAteer. Cluxton and McAteer were both sent off. [73]

Career statistics

As of 18 July 2019
Stephen Cluxton
Stephen Cluxton kick out 2012 cropped.jpg
Cluxton taking a kick-out against Mayo during the 2012 All-Ireland SFC semi-final
Personal information
Native name
Stiofán Mac Lachtain (Irish)
Nickname(s)
Clucko [1]
Stevo
Born (1981-12-17) 17 December 1981 (age 44)
Coolock, Dublin, Ireland
OccupationSecondary school teacher
Sport
SportGaelic football
Position Goalkeeper
Appearances and scores by team, season and competition
TeamSeason National League Leinster All-Ireland Total
DivisionAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Dublin 2001 Division 1A 00–020–000–020–0
200250–030–030–0110–0
200350–020–020–090–0
200450–000–050–0100–0
200560–040–020–0120–0
200660–030–020–0110–0
200770–040–020–0130–0
2008 Division 2 60–030–010–0100–0
2009 Division 1 60–030–010–0100–0
201050–020–050–5120–5
201160–030–630–6120–12
201240–430–320–690–13
201370–430–730–9130–20
201480–1030–420–1130–15
201560–030–040–1130–1
201660–030–040–0130–0
201780–030–030–0140–0
201860–020–050–0130–0
201920–030–010–060–0
Total1040–18520–20500–282060–66

Honours

Team

Dublin City University
Dublin
Ireland

Individual

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Keys, Colm (28 September 2019). "Maintaining standards over a long period is now my big motivator". Irish Independent . Independent News & Media . Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  2. ↑ Schiller, Robin (8 October 2015). "I thought GAA was too brutal as a kid, says Dubs hero Cluxton". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Hickey, Paddy (6 October 2005). "Cool Cluxton content to stay down to earth". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Mortimer's Sigerson magic". Irish Independent. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 "Nigel McCarthy: Stephen Cluxton is the greatest of them all". Dublin Live. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Dubs' boss tips Down for Minor glory". Irish Independent. 6 September 1999. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  7. ↑ "Dubs destroy luckless Longford". Irish Independent. 19 February 2001. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Under 21 final day is switched to the Sunday". Irish Independent. 20 September 2002. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  9. ↑ Breheny, Martin (7 October 2002). "Tribesmen turn it on". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  10. ↑ O'Hehir, Paul (27 May 2001). "Dublin outline championship intent". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  11. ↑ Foley, Cliona; Hickey, Paddy (27 February 2002). "Dublin 'keeper Byrne quits squad, but Farrell returns". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  12. ↑ O'Brien, Kevin (10 February 2018). "Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three: Paddy McBrearty impressed with 0-7 for Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  13. ↑ "Forward flair key to ending Dublin's Leinster famine". Irish Independent. 15 July 2002. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "Armagh show true colours". Irish Examiner. 7 July 2003. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  15. ↑ "Lyons blames Cluxton". Irish Independent. 6 July 2003. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  16. ↑ "Strong, silent type lets his achievements speak for themselves". Irish Independent. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  17. ↑ Breheny, Martin (18 July 2005). "Quinn holds his nerve as Dubs bury their demons". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  18. ↑ O'Reilly, Brendan (17 July 2006). "Dublin looking at bigger picture". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  19. ↑ O'Sullivan, Jim (17 July 2006). "Kingdom dominate selection with six All-star awards". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  20. ↑ O'Sullivan, Jim (16 July 2007). "Brogan fires Dublin to third title in-a-row". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  21. ↑ Leonard, Seamus (9 May 2008). "Football All Stars 2007". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  22. ↑ "Dublin stroll to fourth Leinster title". The Irish Times. 20 July 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  23. ↑ "One from 15 leaves five-in-a-row for Dublin". The Irish Times. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  24. ↑ "2009 Football All Star nominations". RTÉ Sport. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  25. ↑ Moran, Seán (28 June 2010). "Rampant Royals end Dublin's rule". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  26. 1 2 O'Riordan, Ian (11 July 2011). "Final cut is cruel as Wexford's own goal is decisive". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  27. ↑ Houston, Rory (19 September 2011). "Flynn pays tribute to Gilroy's 'team'". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  28. ↑ "Player of the Year nominees announced". RTÉ Sport. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  29. ↑ "Brogan leads Dublin to another Leinster triumph". Irish Independent. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  30. ↑ O'Riordan, Ian (3 October 2012). "Donegal earn 12 All Star nominations". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  31. ↑ "Cluxton appointed Dublin captain". Irish Examiner. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  32. ↑ Breheny, Martin (29 April 2013). "Supersub Rock breaks Tyrone hearts in epic final". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  33. ↑ "Dublin make second half count against Meath". Irish Examiner. 14 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  34. ↑ "Cluxton frees took eight minutes". yHogan Stand. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  35. ↑ "Dublin are All Ireland champions". Irish Independent. 22 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  36. ↑ O'Rourke, Steve (8 November 2013). "Dublin and Mayo dominate the 2013 Football AllStars". The42. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  37. ↑ "Michael Darragh Macauley, Stephen Cluxton and Lee Keegan nominated for Footballer of the Year". RTÉ Sport. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  38. ↑ Moran, Seán (27 April 2014). "Bernard Brogan stars as Dublin defend league title". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  39. ↑ Breheny, Martin (21 July 2014). "Dublin superior on every level as Meath left exposed". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  40. ↑ O'Toole, Fintan (8 October 2014). "11 for Kerry, 9 for Donegal, 9 for Dublin and 6 for Mayo in 2014 Allstar football nominees". The42. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  41. ↑ Fogarty, John (26 April 2015). "Three in a row for Dublin after one-sided contest in Croke Park". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  42. ↑ "Cluxton closing in on 11th Leinster medal". Hogan Stand. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  43. ↑ Keane, Paul (13 July 2015). "Rampaging Dublin keep landing the killer blows". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  44. ↑ McGoldrick, Sean (20 September 2015). "Dublin are All Ireland champions after seeing off Kerry in Croke Park". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  45. ↑ Cummiskey, Gavin (18 September 2016). "Dublin and Mayo to do it again after tense All-Ireland Final draw". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  46. ↑ Breheny, Martin (1 October 2016). "Dublin secure back-to-back All Ireland titles with one-point victory over Mayo in titanic battle". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  47. ↑ McGoldrick, Sean (16 July 2017). "A record seventh Leinster title in a row for ruthless Dublin but Kildare escape with credit". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  48. ↑ Sweeney, Peter (19 September 2017). "History-making Dublin inch past heroic Mayo to make it three in a row". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  49. ↑ Kinsella, Carl. "Dean Rock wins the All-Ireland Final for Dublin in the last minute". JOE.ie. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  50. ↑ O'Riordan, Ian (21 February 2018). "100 not out: Stephen Cluxton to set another GAA record". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  51. ↑ O'Riordan, Ian (14 June 2018). "Dublin's Stephen Cluxton out of the Leinster final". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  52. ↑ Scully, Michael (24 June 2018). "Dublin 1–25 Laois 0–10: Dubs continue Leinster dominance with eighth Delaney Cup win". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  53. ↑ Duggan, Keith (2 September 2018). "Dublin the invincibles weather Tyrone storm to go four-in-a-row". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  54. ↑ McCarthy, Michael (2 September 2018). "Watch: Stephen Cluxton Has Little Dig At Dublin's Critics In All-Ireland Speech". Balls.ie. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  55. ↑ McIntyre, Niall (16 September 2019). "'To be even in that frame of mind, it's unbelievable. That's just the way Cluxton is'" . Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  56. ↑ Brolly, Joe (22 September 2019). "Kerry asked different questions but this group of greats has all the answers". Sunday Independent . Retrieved 22 September 2019. Long after the stadium was empty, the stewards at Croke Park went into the empty Dublin dressing room, only to find Stephen Cluxton mopping the floor.
  57. ↑ "Rock breaks Dublin scoring record". Hogan Stand . 18 October 2020.
  58. ↑ "Dublin tie a bow around it as they complete the six-in-a-row". Irish Times. 19 December 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  59. ↑ "Cluxton's Dubs days look over as Farrell confirms he won't be back in 2022". rte.ie. 8 January 2022.
  60. ↑ "Fans Stunned As Stephen Cluxton Makes Shock Return To Dublin Panel". balls.ie. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  61. ↑ "Dublin Senior Football Management Team Update". Dublin GAA. 5 September 2025.
  62. ↑ "Cluxton honoured with Irish accolade". Hill16.ie. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  63. ↑ "Ireland 40–47 Australia". RTÉ Sport. 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 26 October 2010.
  64. ↑ Keys, Colm (12 October 2011). "Cluxton's vow of silence is no issue for Tohill". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  65. ↑ Moran, Seán (5 November 2011). "Ireland's domination complete". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  66. ↑ McKeon, Conor (2 October 2013). "Injury worry set to rule Cluxton out for Irish duty". The Herald. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  67. ↑ Boyle, Donnchadh (25 October 2013). "O'Rourke following the Cluxton template". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  68. ↑ "Cluxton the template for O'Rourke". Hogan Stand. 25 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  69. ↑ McCarthy, Nigel (4 August 2017). "Nigel McCarthy: Stephen Cluxton is the greatest of them all". dublinlive.ie. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  70. ↑ Clerkin, Malachy (22 May 2021). "Stephen Cluxton: The skinny lad in goal who forged Dublin's endless empire". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  71. ↑ O'Rourke, Colm (22 September 2019). "General Gavin makes history with no histrionics, victory without vanity". Sunday Independent . Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  72. ↑ McGreevy, Ronan (27 January 2012). "Keeper Cluxton saves science". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  73. ↑ Ellis, Fiona; O'Connell, Edel (5 April 2011). "McAteer calls on Cluxton to apologise over punch". Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
  74. ↑ "The final XV". RTÉ Sport . 29 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  75. ↑ Breheny, Martin (30 May 2020). "Revealed: The Top 20 footballers in Ireland over the past 50 years". Irish Independent . Independent News & Media . Retrieved 30 May 2020.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Dublin Senior Football Captain
2013–2020		Succeeded by
Awards and achievements
Preceded by All-Ireland SFC final
winning captain
2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by All-Ireland SFC final
winning captain
2015–2020 		Succeeded by
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