|
Post by Mickmack on Mar 15, 2015 13:11:15 GMT
I watched the Dubs v Mayo on setanta.
At a guess, the Mayo keeper took 20 kickouts. Virtually all down the middle. Dublin won about 16 and this allowed them to fillet Mayo and Dublin will do that to you if given this platform.
So how did Dublin dominate the Mayo kickout so much? It wasn't clean catching for sure, I cant recall even one. They simply won all the breaking ball and if a Dublin midfield player couldn't fist it down to his own man he slapped the hand of the Mayo midfielder and ball drifted into the waiting halfback or whoever and away they went again with Dublin jerseys running all over the place, quick hands and excellent score taking.
They won fewer of Cluxtons kickouts funnily enough. Mayo seemed more intent of winning those than their own. Surreal altogether from Mayo.
Bastick was brilliant for Dublin.
After five mins he was on hand at the edge of the Mayo square to score a goal from a ball that rebounded off the crossbar. In the second half at the same spot he made a fabulous save preventing certain goal. He was sorely missed last year by Dublin. One has to ask what a midfielder was doing in either of those two positions but that Bastick for you. McManamon took two hops for Brogans goal and that was missed.
Tomas Brady had his best game for Dublin. is he going to try to play both codes in 2015.
It was clueless stuff from Mayo overall although they did bring on a lad called Kirby who could do a Kieran Donaghy role for them at 14.
Verdict... Clueless by Mayo, Powerful stuff from Dublin when they get enough ball at midfield but they can hardly expect such poor opposition again in 2015. One wonders what the Mayo sideline was at.
|
|
|
Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 15, 2015 17:55:51 GMT
Brutal from Mayo, doesn't augur well for them. Dublin will still be very strong when given space and when the opposition play their best midfielder up front. Ciaran Kilkenny finding form, which is very important for us. Hard to judge the rest given how easy it was but I'll surely take the 2 points and a return to some form. And nice to see Sully & Veteran's pal Denis prove to be as poor as ever Another hard-fought win for Kerry in quite a high-scoring game for Donegal. Cork as ever are flying whenever they get written off. Tyrone in trouble now and the game against Kerry will be massive as ever. Derry gone, a free-fall for them since last year's league final. Monaghan-Dublin should also be a huge game, Farny out for revenge and a semi-final spot.
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 15, 2015 23:31:39 GMT
Brutal from Mayo, doesn't augur well for them. Dublin will still be very strong when given space and when the opposition play their best midfielder up front. Ciaran Kilkenny finding form, which is very important for us. Hard to judge the rest given how easy it was but I'll surely take the 2 points and a return to some form. And nice to see Sully & Veteran's pal Denis prove to be as poor as ever Another hard-fought win for Kerry in quite a high-scoring game for Donegal. Cork as ever are flying whenever they get written off. Tyrone in trouble now and the game against Kerry will be massive as ever. Derry gone, a free-fall for them since last year's league final. Monaghan-Dublin should also be a huge game, Farny out for revenge and a semi-final spot. Dublin are probably still in the top two contenders for Sam.
|
|
|
Post by sullyschoice on Mar 15, 2015 23:36:03 GMT
Have Mayo got their annual psychological meltdown out of the way early this year.
|
|
|
Post by misteallaigh abú on Mar 15, 2015 23:39:55 GMT
Dublin were absolutely class last night and Mayo heads were down after 20 minutes. Dublin's movement of the ball and effort to get it back when they didn't was immense, Mayo's was pedestrian, to put it kindly. A very bad day at the office for them, however, it happens to all teams. They have 2 tough games left so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. Dublin will take some beating come championship time as they appear to be ironing out some of their defensive frailties.
|
|
|
Post by ansúilleabhánach on Mar 16, 2015 2:31:43 GMT
Dublin were absolutely class last night and Mayo...have 2 tough games left so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. Dublin will take some beating come championship time as they appear to be ironing out some of their defensive frailties. Fortune might be favouring Maigh Eo in that Corcaigh are now in the semis (as Dubs play Muineachán so points have to be lost), and they may ease up/experiment in the last 2 games. This might be too late for Doire though, unless they win very much against the odds in the capital. That Áth Cliath selection on Sat night was noticeably stronger than the XV in Cill Áirne.
|
|
|
Post by Mickmack on Mar 16, 2015 13:08:30 GMT
You would have to wonder what goes on in Pat Spillanes head. He analysed the Mayo V Dublin game and criticised the Mayo backs and forwards blah blah blah and not once did he mention that Mayo were annihilated at midfield. He only ever seems to see the effect but never the cause. For how much more years will we had to put up with this?
|
|
Jigz84
Fanatical Member
Posts: 2,017
|
Post by Jigz84 on Mar 16, 2015 14:32:48 GMT
Mayo don't have a strong panel compared to the likes of Dublin and Kerry. Galway could shock them in Connacht this year.
|
|
|
Post by townend on Mar 16, 2015 15:15:35 GMT
the same Galway who have lost to Down and Cavan the last two weeks, as poor as mayo are they are still ahead of that Galway side, if they are to be beaten in connacht its Roscommon who will do it.
|
|
Jigz84
Fanatical Member
Posts: 2,017
|
Post by Jigz84 on Mar 16, 2015 15:26:55 GMT
the same Galway who have lost to Down and Cavan the last two weeks, as poor as mayo are they are still ahead of that Galway side, if they are to be beaten in connacht its Roscommon who will do it. Roscommon continually flatter to deceive. Galway in Salthill will test Mayo.
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Mar 18, 2015 11:47:38 GMT
Id have to agree with that ... McCann made a complete balls of it .. terrible effort for a goal..he hit it too late and then too early ... Awful !! I think we need to stop bringing Morgan out for every single long free ... I dont think he's up to it tbh !! Are we talking about a different passage of play? I'm talking about the one where the forward dropped the bll to his foot to slide it in but Cluxton dived at his feet and saved it off his toe, more or less. Yep, same play Rashers ... It was a pretty poor effort by our forward tbh !!
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Mar 18, 2015 11:52:57 GMT
It#s very interesting to see how people remember the same incident. Why did you think it was brilliant by Cluxton - what did you think of McCann's finishing? Exactly what Mick said. At what point did McCann have a chance to do anything more than he did? He received the ball, took one step, dropped it to his toe to slide it in, and in that moment Cluxton dived in and got the ball. And into the bargain, he did it without getting the man, which most goalies tend to do in that situation. Furthermore, most players in the attacking position there wouldn't even have dropped the ball as quick to their toe as McCann did, they would try to go to step to the side (might have been a better option but Cluxton came to him very very quick), or they would hit the shot a bit higher (given they have a split second to act) and the keeper would block it fairly handy. And yes I was at the game, though I'm not sure what the relevance of that is, as the view on the telly of split-second incidents from close up is 100% better than a moment from 50 yards away (at best for most people in a big stadium) with the naked eye. And yes, I did see the replay on tv. You see what we have here is some people suffering from a typical case of 'what they really wanted to happen' (a goal being scored from a great chance) not happening, and being unable to separate their disappointment from the reality of what happened in detail. 'It had to be McCann's fault. Cluxton is always overrated'. And in truth, he hasn't been too good, as I said above, with some of the bread and butter stuff the last couple of years. But looking at the incident in isolation of all those things, no matter who the goaly was, it was simply a very good save. Sullyschoice is clearly not a reliable source of opinion as his pupils are too dilated with all the cricket excitement. Rashers you're over thinking this ! I think Cluxton is undoubtedly the best keeper in the game ... I wish the feck we had him. .... However, in this particular instance McCann made a bollix of his chance and it just didn't require a magnificent save ... There's no hidden agenda for saying that btw
|
|
|
Post by Mickmack on Mar 27, 2015 8:20:56 GMT
PADDY HEANEY: Tyrone out to lay down a marker in Allianz Football League
23
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Some fixtures transcend the importance of the Allianz Football League and Sunday’s clash between Donegal and Tyrone is one such game.
With the threat of relegation hovering over both teams, this is a very important match.
But forget about relegation. The significance of this game in Ballybofey stretches far beyond points and league tables. The fear of demotion will really only act as a convenient excuse for both of these teams to go at each other with hammer and tongs.
It was often said Jim McGuinness attached no importance to the League. That’s not true. There were certain dates which McGuinness circled with a red marker.
Donegal’s trip to Omagh on Saturday, February 11, 2011, was a prime example. It was McGuinness’s second competitive game in charge. After spending the winter telling his troops that they could be All-Ireland champions, he needed a result to underline his credentials.
Talk is fine, but it can wear thin. Players need evidence.
And in Healy Park, Donegal’s players received solid proof that McGuinness wasn’t selling pipe dreams. After taking an early three-point lead, Tyrone managed just two points during the remaining 55 minutes. In the second half, the Red Hands registered one score, a free by Sean Cavanagh. Final score: Donegal 1-10 Tyrone 0-6. The Jim McGuinness era had begun.
When Donegal met Tyrone in the semi-final of that year’s Ulster Championship, McGuinness’s team could draw some confidence from the victory they had previously secured in the League. Donegal’s win in Clones then established a trend in the Championship as they defeated their neighbours in 2012 and 2013. Make no mistake, Donegal’s supremacy over Tyrone dates back to that League tie in Omagh. That’s when Donegal put the Indian sign on them.
Mickey Harte believes in Indian signs. He believes in the power of victory.
Before Tyrone meet Donegal in the preliminary round of this year’s Ulster Championship, Mickey Harte will want to buck the prevailing trend. On Sunday, Tyrone need to lay down a marker. They need to beat Donegal.
Just like the Donegal squad in 2011, Tyrone’s players will draw huge confidence if they can see some sign that their system really works.
Tyrone have received a lot of flak for their policy of defending with the entire team.
It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the 15-man defensive screen has been designed specifically for Tyrone’s Championship game against Donegal on May 17.
Donegal can look very ordinary when they come up against a team that takes out insurance cover against them.
Before last year’s All-Ireland final, Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice informed his players Donegal’s success was based on two key components: breaking lines and counter-attacks.
In order to convince his players about the gameplan which he proposed for the All-Ireland final, Fitzmaurice arranged an in-house game. One team was encouraged to play in an orthodox style. The half-backs were given license to attack and one midfielder was allowed to provide support. The other team was set-up like Donegal. Cue carnage. It was like a repeat of Donegal and Dublin.
Fitzmaurice achieved his biggest breakthrough when he instructed the team which had been playing conventionally to exert greater caution. The half-backs were ordered to hold their positions. The wing-forwards were told to retreat behind the wing-backs, thus forming two banks of defence. The midfielders marshalled the central channel. The difference was astonishing.
Deprived of green grass, counter- attacking for the team which had been scoring for fun, suddenly became extremely difficult. And with two lines of half-backs and half-forwards, it was nigh impossible to break lines. For the Kerry players, seeing was believing.
Consider Donegal’s previous games. When given room to manoeuvre, Ryan McHugh’s stunning pace destroyed Dublin. When faced with a wall of Kerry jerseys, McHugh had nowhere to go because he doesn’t possess the raw power to break tackles. Even Leo McLoone, the best line-breaker in the Donegal team, hit an impasse when he tried to puncture Kerry’s grid.
In 2012, Donegal’s system and fitness gave them a significant advantage over their rivals. Three years later and the margins are now miniscule.
Any well-organised team that knows how to defend will cause Donegal severe headaches. Armagh could have beaten them in last year’s All-Ireland quarter-final. Despite the loss of Conor McManus, Monaghan still beat them in this year’s League.
The Donegal players respect Rory Gallagher. Before the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final, he told them that Cork would bring on three substitutes and he listed the order in which they would come on.
Ahead of the quarter-final against Kerry, he predicted that if Donegal made a good start then Darran O’Sullivan would be introduced during the first half.
The Donegal players had never worked under a management team with that level of insight. Naturally, when the opposition kept behaving entirely to script, a huge level of trust was developed.
Since replacing McGuinness, Gallagher has revamped the backroom team. Gary McDaid, the Glenswilly manager, is his assistant.
Paul Fisher, the strength and conditioning coach for Glenswilly, has also moved into the county set-up. Jack Cooney, who was with Martin McHugh at Sligo IT, is the new football coach.
While Gallagher is extremely knowledgeable about football, there is still a limit to what he can achieve.
Donegal just don’t have the same playing resources as the other top counties. The loss of Rory Kavanagh and Leo McLoone cannot be underestimated.
After just three weeks of training, Fitzmaurice was able to coach his players a new style of play which neutralised Donegal’s gameplan. Without their customary advantages, Donegal had no room for error. Every decision by the management, and every mistake by the players bore a huge significance.
Unless Rory Gallagher can bring something new to the table, he’s going to be operating in an incredibly unforgiving environment. And if Donegal are perceived as being vulnerable, then their status as the best team in Ulster will not last much longer.
Mickey Harte has never been in the business of shadow boxing or playing phoney teams.
That’s why his team’s trip to Ballybofey on Saturday is so fascinating.
After that League win in 2011, Donegal have kept their foot firmly pressed on Tyrone’s neck. Rory Gallagher needs to prove that nothing has changed since Jim McGuinness left.
Mickey Harte needs to show his players that the order is about to change.
As a game of football, it will probably be grim.
But as a battle for position between two proud tribes, it will be utterly compelling.
Contact Paddy Heaney on Twitter @heaneypaddy
KEYWORDS: Donegal, Tyrone, Allianz Football League
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 27, 2015 8:55:12 GMT
Fight to survive that Lilies can't afford to lose MacLochlainn bemoans lack of 'edge' as Kildare stare into Division 3 abyss
Colm Keys
A dejected Eoghan O'Flaherty reacts to Kildare's defeat against Meath in Round 2 of the Allianz NFL Two years ago Kildare travelled to Castlebar on the night before St Patrick's Day and carved out their fourth win in five games to top Division One of the League.
Irish Jobs
It felt like an important milestone for a few reasons, not least because they had lost heavily to Dublin on the previous Sunday in Croke Park, shipping 2-20 in a 13-point defeat on an afternoon when their kick-out was obliterated.
But travelling away to beat the previous year's beaten All-Ireland finalists so soon afterwards to virtually assure themselves of a place in the play-offs showed a little bit of steel that augured well for the future.
The match was also significant for the age profile of the team that finished, Mark Donnellan, Daniel Flynn, Niall Kelly and Paddy Brophy being joined by replacements Fionn Dowling and David Hyland to bring the number of U-21s to six.
The transition was well under way. Kieran McGeeney was still manager, in his sixth and final year, and was preaching patience, suggesting at the outset of the campaign that it might not be as "lucrative" as people wanted.
From that lofty position Kildare, though, had a fine view of the football landscape below that weekend.
Their sequence of Allianz League results since make interesting reading, however.
They didn't win any one of their subsequent games against Tyrone (twice) and Down (they played an understrength side as qualification for the semi-finals was guaranteed); last year they won their first and last games of the campaign, against Mayo and Westmeath, but lost all five in between to drop to Division 2.
And one from five so far in their current second tier campaign has left them perilously close to the trap door taking them down to Division 3.
It amounts to just three wins out of 15 league game in a two-year period.
The hope of those who came away from Castlebar that Saturday night in March 2013 has all but been extinguished. The erosion of confidence, on the field and in the stands, has been palpable.
Lose to a buoyant Laois in O'Moore Park tomorrow night and Division 3 football is a certainty. Even winning may only provide a stay of execution, with Galway to come away from home eight days later.
Weight
The weight of relegation will weigh heavily on all shoulders, according to former Lilies corner-back Aindriu MacLochlainn.
"In Kildare there is the army, the horses and football as the main topics of interest. It wouldn't sit easily to drop down," he says. "We're depending on other results going right for us with two rounds remaining. I've been involved in a few similar games down in Portlaoise and you wouldn't get tougher in Championship."
The financial aspect of falling further would also be felt by a county board struggling to make any inroads into debts built up by excessive running costs over the last decade. Fundraising has been stagnant, and Croke Park still has a hand on the tiller.
MacLochlainn didn't envisage their current predicament. On the day that Kildare took Dublin to extra-time before eventually losing in the O'Byrne Cup final in Newbridge, he felt a corner had been turned.
Performance at times in some of the matches have been quite good despite the different shades of defeat.
They led in three of the games they lost - to Down, Meath and Roscommon - but were picked off at various stages in the second half, the most crushing of all being the late reversal against Down on the opening day when they were hit for two goals in injury-time.
"The fact that it had happened against Tyrone in similar circumstances the previous year made it worse. I thought the team would have learned from that," he says.
Significantly Kildare have not conceded a goal since those frantic late minutes, with clean sheets in their four subsequent games, a shut-out unmatched by any other county.
For a long time they were the better team against Meath in Navan and led by six points at one stage in the first half against Roscommon.
Despite the descending gloom there is still the capacity to build with some success for the rest of the summer. When Niall Kelly is on the field they have looked a different team with his vision and accuracy from centre-forward and his involvement tomorrow night, despite the Leinster U-21 final against Dublin five nights later, is critical.
Paul Cribbin has also looked like he is beginning to reach his potential in a central role, while Daniel Flynn has the athleticism to open defences.
MacLochlainn, though, would like to see more "cut" from some of the players.
"I would just like to see more balance in the team. We don't have enough ruthlessness to see games out and that is a concern," he says.
"It's not just a case of picking the best 15 players, we need players who can be more cut-throat in their approach.
"In Jason Ryan's defence, he has been missing players who have that in them for various games - the likes of Peter Kelly and Emmet Bolton have it."
Yet their propensity for conceding scorable frees remains an issue. From 79 points conceded in five games, 33 have come from placed balls.
MacLochlainn believes Kildare have lost some of their "edge" as a county since McGeeney's departure.
"I think we're seeing the consequences of his removal," he suggests. "I always felt under Kieran, Kildare teams had a greater edge and willingness to hunt a game down and wear opponents down. I think his presence gave us some of that."
One of the great contradictions about Kildare football has been the level of expectation that sometimes surrounds them indexed to their historical success rate - two Leinster titles in almost 60 years is not a record that makes them immune from Division 3 football.
But from where they were almost two years ago to where they are now represents quite a stark and sharp descent.
Irish Independent
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 27, 2015 8:57:35 GMT
Cork includes all three O’Driscoll brothers for top clash with Mayo
Friday, March 27, 2015
By Paul Keane Allianz Football League leaders Cork have included all three O’Driscoll brothers for Sunday’s table-topping clash with Mayo.
Defender Brian O’Driscoll comes into the first team and joins siblings Kevin and Colm who are named in the wing-forward positions.
Boss Brian Cuthbert has made four changes in all with experienced goalkeeper Ken O’Halloran, corner-back Noel Galvin and centre-forward Paul Kerrigan also drafted in.
Opponents Mayo have similarly overhauled their side after being hammered by Dublin. They make six changes with three of them enforced due to injury and suspension.
David Clarke returns in goal, Ger Cafferkey is at corner-back while there’s an all new midfield of Barry Moran and Tom Parsons. Up front, Alan Dillon and Danny Kirby start.
All-Ireland champions Kerry have made three alterations for Monaghan’s visit. Brian Kelly is in goals for the first time since the All-Ireland win. Shane Enright replaces Paul Murphy (back) while debutant Alan Fitzgerald is in for Brian Sheehan (rib). Marc O Se and Darren O’Sullivan return to the bench after injury. Monaghan have recalled Kieran Duffy and Owen Duffy in defence and attack.
Meanwhile, the Cork hurlers have drafted in William Kearney, Killian Burke and Anthony Spillane for Sunday’s league quarter-final clash with Wexford.
Kilmallock duo Paudie O’Brien and Graeme Mulcahy return to the Limerick side to face Dublin at Croke Park tomorrow evening. But Clare will be without Brendan Bugler for their relegation clash with Kilkenny. His appeal against the red card picked up in the win over Dublin was rejected.
CORK (NFL v Mayo): K O’Halloran; N Galvin, M Shields, J Loughrey; B O’Driscoll, C Dorman, T Clancy (Fermoy); F Goold, J O’Sullivan; K O’Driscoll, P Kerrigan, C O’Driscoll; C O’Neill, M Collins, B Hurley.
MAYO (NFL v Tyrone): D Clarke; G Cafferkey, K Keane, K Higgins; L Keegan, C Boyle, D Vaughan; B Moran, T Parsons; K McLoughlin, A O’Shea, J Doherty; M Ronaldson, D Kirby, A Dillon.
KERRY (NFL v Monaghan): B Kelly; P Kilkenny, M Griffin, S Enright; J Lyne, P Crowley, K Young; A Maher, D Moran; S O’Brien, A Fitzgerald, J Buckley; P Geaney, K Donaghy, BJ Keane.
MONAGHAN (NFL v Kerry): R Beggan; K Duffy, D Wylie, R Wylie; F Kelly, V Corey, K O’Connell; N McAdam, D Hughes; D Mone, P Finlay, O Duffy; D Malone, K Hughes, C McManus.
TYRONE (NFL v Donegal): N Morgan; A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron; R McNabb, J McMahon, P Harte; C Cavanagh, P McNulty; T McCann, M Donnelly, R McKenna; D McCurry, S Cavanagh, C McAliskey.
DOWN (NFL v Meath): S Kane; G Collins, L Howard, D Turley; P Devlin, D O’Hanlon, C Maginn; P Turley, R Mallon; C McGovern, K McKernan, M Poland; C Laverty, A McConville, D O’Hare.
TIPPERARY (NFL v Sligo): E Comerford; A Campbell, P Codd, R Kiely; S Kennedy, P Acheson, C O’Riordan; G Hannigan, S O’Brien; L Casey, P Austin, I Fahey; J Lonergan, C Sweeney, G Mulhaire.
ARMAGH (NFL v Louth): P Morrison; M Shields, C Vernon, M Murray; C McKeever, F Moriarty, A Mallon; A Findon, P Carragher; T Kernan, M McKenna, A Forker; J Clarke, E Rafferty, A Murrin.
ANTRIM (NFL v Wicklow): C Kerr; J Laverty, S McVeigh, D Lynch; R Johnston, J Crozier, T Scullion; B Herron, M McCann; C Murray, J Carron, P McBride; R Murray, M Pollock, CJ McGourty.
CORK (NHL v Wexford): A Nash; S O’Neill, D Cahalane, W Kearney; L McLoughlin, K Burke, C Murphy; D Kearney, A Walsh; C Lehane, S Harnedy, R O’Shea; A Spillane, L O’Farrell, P Horgan.
LIMERICK (NHL v Dublin): N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, S Hickey; P O’Brien, W McNamara, D Morrissey; P Browne, J Ryan; D Breen, D Hannon, D O’Grady; G Mulcahy, S Dowling, S Tobin.
Derry (NFL v Dublin): T Mallon; O Duffy, N Holly, K Johnston; L McGoldrick, C McAtamney, M McIver; M Lynch, E Bradley; SL McGoldrick, E Heavron, E Lynn; B Heron, E McGuckin, J Kielt.
ANTRIM (NHL v Laois): C O’Connell; R McCambridge, A Graffin, O McFadden; N McManus, N McAuley, S McCrory; C Johnson, M Bradley; PJ O’Connell, P Shiels, E Campbell; C Clarke, C Carson, C Johnston.
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
|
|
|
Post by aranteorainn on Mar 28, 2015 20:12:35 GMT
Dubs v Derry is exciting stuff.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2015 20:31:28 GMT
Derry deserve to go down,they played with no ambition at all in the second half,its like they came out in the second half and tried to play for a 3pts to 2pts win
Brutal game.
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 28, 2015 21:09:06 GMT
As It Happened: Saturday's Allianz League action Updated: Saturday, 28 Mar 2015 20:54
FOOTBALL Division 1 Dublin 0-08 Derry 0-04 Division 2 Down 0-10 Meath 2-11 Cavan 1-08 Westmeath 1-03 Laois 1-09 Kildare 1-12 Division 3 Armagh 0-10 Louth 0-08
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 28, 2015 21:18:35 GMT
Dublin prevail in arm wrestle as dogged Derry are relegated Dublin 0-8 Derry 0-4
Donnchadh Boyle
28/03/2015
A dour 70 minutes eventually served up a winner with Dublin condemning Derry to relegation but this game will be remembered more for the poor quality on offer. And for the serious questions it raises about the direction the game is heading.
The Ulster men were playing for their Division one status and having been on the receiving end in last year’s league final, they had to come up with something other than going toe to toe with Jim Gavin’s men.
Brian McIver’s side lost by 15 points that day and when required, they had the same number of bodies behind the ball to stifle Dublin’s attack.
To their credit, it worked to a large extent but the entertainment on offer suffered greatly to the point where the 19,224 in attendance resorted to booing around the 20 minute mark. Their frustration was exasperated by the poor shooting on show from both sides with even the likes of Diarmuid Connolly and Bernard Brogan catching the bug.
The first half was particularly dull. More than 12 minutes had passed before Michael Darragh Macauley made enough progress through a packed Derry defence to fist over. At the other end, Mark Lynch replied with a fine point almost immediately.
A Benny Heron 45 and a James Kielt free was the only action of note for the following 20 minutes as the boos rang out around Croke Park in protest at the entertainment on offer.
Still the sides couldn’t raise their game. Dublin were getting frustrated and by the time Diarmuid Connolly closed the gap to a point with the last kick of the half to leave it 0-3 to 0-2, they had kicked nine wides. Derry had also landed five of their own by the short whistle.
The Ulster men continued to frustrate Dublin on the restart and after an hour’s football the teams were tied at 0-4 each.
But from there Dublin finally found the gaps. Paddy Andrews, Connolly and Rock (two) kicked the last four points of the day to ensure the home side ran out four point winners after a night that was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 0-3 (2f), D Connolly 0-2, C Costello, MD Macauley, P Andrews 0-1 each.
Derry: M Lynch, B Heron (45), J Kielt (1f), E Lynn 0-1 each.
Dublin: S Cluxton; P McMahon, R O’Carroll, E Culligan; J Cooper, J Small, J McCaffrey; MD Macauley, T Brady; P Flynn, D Connolly, C Kilkenny; K McManamon, D Rock, B Brogan SUBS: C Costello for McManamon (ht), J McCarthy for Brady, D Byrne (Naomh Olaf) for Culligan (both 42), P Andrews for Kilkenny (51), B Fenton for Macauley (54), D Byrne (Ballymun) for Brogan (70).
Derry: T Mallon; O Duffy, N Holly, K Johnston; L McGoldrick, C McAtamney, M McIver; M Lynch, E Bradley; SL McGoldrick, D Heavron, E Lynn; B Heron, E McGuckin, J Kielt SUBS: T O’Brien for McGuckin, F Doherty for E Bradley, C McFaul for Kielt (all 46), D McKinless for McIver (51), N McNicholl for L McGoldrick (67).
Ref: C Lane (Cork).
|
|
|
Post by Ard Mhacha on Mar 28, 2015 21:26:52 GMT
See you in Div 2 lads! Well, maybe...
|
|
|
Post by sullyschoice on Mar 28, 2015 21:29:49 GMT
My eyes are bleeding after watching that rubbish tonight
|
|
|
Post by jackeensabhog on Mar 28, 2015 21:31:26 GMT
RIP gaelic football. Derry played to a plan that could have worked only for some poor shooting on their part.Dublin continue to carry the ball into the tackle with no success, but any attacking team will struggle against this muck. No one can blame derry for their approach, but the gaa should be worried. Who would pay to watch this utter *e?
|
|
|
Post by Ard Mhacha on Mar 28, 2015 21:44:28 GMT
Time for 13 a side?
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 28, 2015 21:46:16 GMT
Dublin do enough to overcome Derry as blanket defences counteract The extra bit of attacking class edges the Leinster champions on in final 10 minutes
Sat, Mar 28, 2015, 21:00
Dublin 0-8 Derry 0-4 Another game strangled to death by blanket defences and desperate shooting. But in the end, Dublin came through it and Derry slipped dolefully into Division Two football for next year. Brian McIver’s side gave Dublin a strenuous work-out and even led at half-time but the extra quality in Dublin’s forward line won the game in the closing 10minutes. It is obvious now that a team with true designs on beating Dublin this year will take the field against them without their blanket double-stitched. Derry came to Croke Park planned and drilled to the last drop. They got their players back, got them marking space and closing off zones, penning the Dublin runners as they came through and pouncing on them when they wondered what move to make next. When they had the ball themselves, McIver’s side kept it like it was a family heirloom. And if that meant turning to face their own goal and kicking it backwards from time to time, they had no qualms in doing so. It incurred the wrath of the Hill when they did but in a possession game and with 12 and 13 Dublin players often behind the ball, there wasn’t much option for Derry. Indeed, they were the side that looked far more acquainted with what they were about in the early part of the game. They fashioned the only goal chance of the first half, drawing a smart save out of Stephen Cluxton on 14 minutes from a Benny Heron snapshot. The wrath of Cluxton descended upon his defence - four of them had surrounded Heron and still he got his shot away. It said plenty about how the game was going. The half-time score was 0-3 to 0-2 in Derry’s favour. Since it won’t take long, we may as well list the scores in order. A returning Michael Darragh Macauley first a point after 11 minutes. Mark Lynch equalised with a terrific kick from distance a minute later. Benny Heron kicked the 45 after Cluxton’s save to put Derry 0-2 to 0-1 ahead and James Kielt stretched the lead to two with a free on 26 minutes. The last score of the half is probably worth dwelling on for a second. Diarmuid Connolly scored it, planting the ball over the black spot from 47 metres out after a long bout of to-and-fro around the three-quarter-line. This was not a night made for one so beautiful as Connolly and his point had a real to-hell-with-this feel to it. It left Dublin a point down but its quality was nearly worth enduring the first half to see. Derry didn’t change tack for the second half - why would they? Dublin came at them but moves broke down at every turn. Cormac Costello came off the bench and drew the Dubs level four minutes after the restart but by now the rain was coming down heavily and we went the next 20 minutes with only one score, a Dean Rock free, to warm us. It put Dublin ahead for the first time and posed Derry the question of how they were going to overturn it. Fergal Doherty was on by now and his old-stager routine worked well for a time. In fact, his was the only moment of subtlety in the Derry forward line, a lovely flick putting Enda Lynn through for the equalising point 11 minutes from time. But in the end, Dublin found a few slight avenues to barrel down and they scored the last four points of the game. Rock landed a tricky free, Paddy Andrews and Connolly clipped clever scores before Rock closed it out another from play. They got there but it was heavy going. For them, for everybody.
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Mar 28, 2015 21:47:35 GMT
Sound like an utter borefest.
|
|
peanuts
Fanatical Member
Posts: 1,857
|
Post by peanuts on Mar 28, 2015 22:06:19 GMT
I don't like the idea of 13 a side as it will make the game even more about fitness & speed. Having said I'm not sure what the answer is. Curtailing the hand pass may work to certain extent but may encourage even more blanket defenses when teams are defending a lead. Keeping 4 or 5 players beyond midfield at all times may work.
|
|
|
Post by southward on Mar 28, 2015 22:12:17 GMT
Kildare escaped (for now) Div 3 courtesy of a last-minute goal.
|
|
inchperfect
Senior Member
No longer active member.
Posts: 272
|
Post by inchperfect on Mar 29, 2015 0:30:37 GMT
I don't like the idea of 13 a side as it will make the game even more about fitness & speed. Having said I'm not sure what the answer is. Curtailing the hand pass may work to certain extent but may encourage even more blanket defenses when teams are defending a lead. Keeping 4 or 5 players beyond midfield at all times may work. Agreed. Plus 13 a side won't get rid of the emphasis on defending. Teams would probably just go with 6 backs and 4 forwards, actually making the problem worse, the forwards would be even more outnumbered than they already are.
|
|
|
Post by Deise Exile on Mar 29, 2015 8:45:02 GMT
Tyrone Armagh and Donegal have ruined Gaelic football
|
|
|
Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 29, 2015 9:36:14 GMT
Derry did what they needed to do to be competitive. Dublin have a lot of quality and will murder a side like Derry if allowed the freedom to do so, as they did last year. Also last night Dublin didn't play with much intensity in the first half, and this allowed the game to become so tight.
Derry needed a win to stay up, their only hope was keep it as tight as possible and hope that Dublin would get so frustrated they would start to panic a bit. But Derry weren't good enough to pull it off. Still, they showed what can be done still for other sides (like Monaghan, who are better) and if some of the daft diagonal passes by Dublin players had been intercepted by a much better team they would have been punished.
Not good to watch but then sides winning 'nice' games by 15 points or more gets boring very quickly too. And before we get back onto the old chestnut of inequality of resources and training etc, this type of thing happened just as much in 'the good old days'. Kerry used to hammer sides on a regular basis by cricket scores and I don't recall much outcry about it or references to resources, training etc.
I'd rather see a tight battle than that.
|
|