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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Dec 20, 2020 13:21:47 GMT
Dr. Hickey is honest enough the represent the views of a large contingent in Dublin. That's it exactly. In 2011 I have to admit I was delighted for Dublin. I was gutted for Kerry and still believe we should have won that game, but it saved GAA in the capital. I moved to Dublin in 2001 and at that time nobody in Dublin believed in the Dublin team really. Living in Rathfarnham some of my scouts played football with St. Enda's or St. John's, but if they did play football or hurling at all, it was usually next to rugby or soccer and Gaelic games were not their priority. Several friends played with Crokes in Kilmacud who were arguably one of the best clubs in the south of Dublin at the time. Going to watch Dublin play Armagh in Croke Park in 2002, with an Armagh friend, we actually bought our tickets the day before and the stadium was full, but Armagh supporters outnumbered Dublin supporters in my opinion. For the sake of Dublin football it was great to see them win in 2011 and finally the capital had something to be proud of. Seán Kelly saw how Dublin football was at a low ebb and it was during his reign that the the GAA started to our more funding into Dublin, started with game development officers all around the capital and basically started the structure that now enables Dublin to have an unlimited supply of players and resources. The development of the Christy Ring Cup and Nicky Rackard Cup, Tommy Murphy Cup, All-Ireland Junior and Intermediate Championships also meant more games and players at all levels though Dublin haven't benefited as much from that as Kerry have. Knowingly or unknowingly the GAA have created a monster. I saw a comparison above with JP and Limerick, but that is very much a different development. In Limerick sporting Limerick have decided to instils a certain culture in all clubs and build an underage structure and culture for years, that they are now reaping the benefits of. The excellent facilities at UL also help Limerick and are attracting athletes from all over Ireland. Dublin have 4 universities as well of course and an excellent infrastructure making logistics a lot easier. There are excellent all weather pitches all around the capital. Dublin supporters seem to have forgotten where they were 10 years ago and have become very arrogant and frankly quite insulting at times. The thoughts of Dr. Hickey are exactly how a lot of Dubs now think. Not the real, genuine supporters of course, but the thousands of bandwagon supporters that now suddenly are very proud of Dublin. The same people that 10 years ago would have flown to Manchester to watch the soccer instead of watching a football game in their own backyard. It is great for Dublin and good for the GAA to have Dublin do well, but the Dublin machine can now support itself and it is time to start developing games in other counties. Even in Kerry it is not unthinkable that the lack of footballing success will eventually lead to youngsters looking at other sports. The reverse is already true in Limerick where hurling success has meant that youngsters now dream of playing hurling and rugby has become less prominent in the city.
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Post by veteran on Dec 20, 2020 13:26:48 GMT
Honesty and graciousness/magnanimity are not mutually exclusive. Bitterness trumps them all of course. Avoid bitter people at all costs.
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Post by veteran on Dec 20, 2020 17:15:58 GMT
I am not sure if there is a separate thread for ladies football.
Wonderful contest in Croke Park today. Helter skelter from pillar to post. Sinead Aherne, Dublin captain , made a wonderfully inclusive speech at the end.
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Post by john4 on Dec 20, 2020 17:32:22 GMT
I am not sure if there is a separate thread for ladies football. Wonderful contest in Croke Park today. Helter skelter from pillar to post. Sinead Aherne, Dublin captain , made a wonderfully inclusive speech at the end. The quality of the Dublin tackling was very impressive. Textbook technique executed perfectly.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Dec 20, 2020 19:39:49 GMT
More heartbreak for Mayo, they stayed with Dublin for as long as they could, however, the introduction of blue chip substitutes allowed Dublin to win at their ease, without hitting 5th gear. Durcan was a huge loss as he was doing a fine job on Kilkenny and when he cried off Kilkenny really took control and had a very significant impact on the game in the second half. Mayo did a good bit better than I expected, to be honest I thought they would be annihilated after the first goal went in. They recovered valiantly, however, they were gassed after 50 minutes and could only offer ragged, tired resistance thereafter. A few things about yesterday irked me about Mayo. Firstly, what message does it give to your own players and the opposition when your 2 midfielders are not allowed contest the throw ins. Also, why not go for it at the start of the second half, putting in a sweeper when you have a numerical advantage and are a couple of points down? Again the wrong signals from management. Thirdly, Aidan O Shea, how was he kept on the pitch? For a man of his size and supposed ability, I have yet to see him really lead in a match where the stakes are high. In fairness to the O Connor brothers, they left it all out there and were brave to the end. More than can be said of their more illustrious colleague. Dublin cakewalked to another title. For all their brilliance they’re a team I find hard to warm to. I found the Des Cahill tweet about the team cleaning the dressing rooms and aren’t they a great bunch of lads just a bit too much on top of the Dr David Hickey article. Please God Kerry will be in the right space to really challenge for honours next year... Wishful thinking....
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Post by oohaahduagh on Dec 20, 2020 19:56:34 GMT
There’s a flatness to the 6 in a row that is hard to put your finger on. It’s an impressive feat of itself, but as an historical sporting moment it’s not exactly setting the pulse racing. Here’s my best effort.
To compare two historical events, consider the Manhattan Project and the Great Escape. The Manhattan project was a hugely impressive feat where enormous resources were marshalled in order to achieve a very difficult objective. The Great Escape was very different, where the ingenuity and bravery of a small number of people succeeded against the odds (Offaly in 82 being a GAA analogue). Dublin’s 6 in a row is the GAA’s version of the Manhattan project. Hugely impressive - and inspiring in a way - but lacking the human interest of a story where the winners achieve against the odds. There is a reason why the best movies are about things like the great escape rather than the Manhattan project.
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1979
Full Member
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Post by 1979 on Dec 20, 2020 19:59:47 GMT
More heartbreak for Mayo, they stayed with Dublin for as long as they could, however, the introduction of blue chip substitutes allowed Dublin to win at their ease, without hitting 5th gear. Durcan was a huge loss as he was doing a fine job on Kilkenny and when he cried off Kilkenny really took control and had a very significant impact on the game in the second half. Mayo did a good bit better than I expected, to be honest I thought they would be annihilated after the first goal went in. They recovered valiantly, however, they were gassed after 50 minutes and could only offer ragged, tired resistance thereafter. A few things about yesterday irked me about Mayo. Firstly, what message does it give to your own players and the opposition when your 2 midfielders are not allowed contest the throw ins. Also, why not go for it at the start of the second half, putting in a sweeper when you have a numerical advantage and are a couple of points down? Again the wrong signals from management. Thirdly, Aidan O Shea, how was he kept on the pitch? For a man of his size and supposed ability, I have yet to see him really lead in a match where the stakes are high. In fairness to the O Connor brothers, they left it all out there and were brave to the end. More than can be said of their more illustrious colleague. Dublin cakewalked to another title. For all their brilliance they’re a team I find hard to warm to. I found the Des Cahill tweet about the team cleaning the dressing rooms and aren’t they a great bunch of lads just a bit too much on top of the Dr David Hickey article. Please God Kerry will be in the right space to really challenge for honours next year... Wishful thinking.... Fully agreed. They obviously found a big enough brush to sweep McMahon’s half time antics, Small and Scully’s feigning of injury, Mannion’s terrible goading at the end, and general arrogant smirking under the carpet. They’re as good or as bad as the next team at the cynical stuff, let’s all calm down with the “humble and respectful bunch of lads” stuff.
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Post by Kerryman Randy Savage on Dec 20, 2020 20:25:33 GMT
There’s a flatness to the 6 in a row that is hard to put your finger on. It’s an impressive feat of itself, but as an historical sporting moment it’s not exactly setting the pulse racing. Here’s my best effort. To compare two historical events, consider the Manhattan Project and the Great Escape. The Manhattan project was a hugely impressive feat where enormous resources were marshalled in order to achieve a very difficult objective. The Great Escape was very different, where the ingenuity and bravery of a small number of people succeeded against the odds (Offaly in 82 being a GAA analogue). Dublin’s 6 in a row is the GAA’s version of the Manhattan project. Hugely impressive - and inspiring in a way - but lacking the human interest of a story where the winners achieve against the odds. There is a reason why the best movies are about things like the great escape rather than the Manhattan project. The real reason for the flatness is that genuine Dublin GAA fans (pre 2011 fans) must be a tad embarrassed by the preferential treatment for their team. It's like getting player of the year for the past 6 years and your father is the manager who picks the winner. Its great to win but it is starting to ring hollow for them. The others who are feigning hurt are behaving like the soccer fan bandwagoners. They will move back to soccer and think of the Premier League before the end of the month. Post-2011 Dub fans got more enjoyment from either of the 7-0 and 6-2 results. Dr Hickey is a tool. I can easily see why Jim Gavin got rid of him so quickly. I dont understand why a former player would ruin his reputation like that, this is not his first time. His comments on Mayo were pathetic and if you claim that Mayo are trash, then Dublin only beat trash so why would anyone recognise Dublin's greatness? A walking contradiction, an embarrassing one too.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Dec 20, 2020 20:47:31 GMT
Anyone help us with what positions players took up, all the commentary told us was that AO'6 was double marked - did he lead his pair a merry dance?
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Post by taggert on Dec 20, 2020 21:01:22 GMT
Some musings on yesterdays game: It was v evident that some of Mayo's new guys completely choked, particularly Eoghan McLoughlin (7) who made 2 criminal mistakes losing possession in the second half on beeaks for Mayo, and Tommy Conroy (13) who totally froze and was like playing with 14 men. That the latter was on the pitch after 50 mins spoke volumes on the contrast in player depth - by my reckoning, Mayo probably have 10 players who are really of the standard required (a county team that peaked 4 years ago) whereas Dublin have 25 players at the level and at the peak of their powers. This imbalance is not Mayos fault, its the GAA's fault. Mayo, have regularly fallen victim to quick Dublin starts - from throw ins at start of first and second halves, just like Kerry did in the replay last year when we, like Mayo, parted like the red sea. Its poor concentration and poor planning. In one close final between Dublin and Mayo, Dublin hit 1-3 in scores in minutes 1, 35 inj time, 36 restart and 70. Not tuned in but 6 in a close game is monumental concentration lapsing. Dublin have 4 players who are their permanent go to's - Cluxton, JamesMc, Fenton and Kilkenny and Mayo didnt have enough fingers to plug the leaks in the dike. Durcan wrapped up Kilkenny until injury put him on the sideline but Con was given the freedom of the park, eventho he personally killed Mayo when they last met. Just like Keegan on Connolly in the day, putting Durcan on Kilkenny took one of the best wing backs in the country out of the game. I genuinely think Kerry can beat this iteration of Dublin - I dont believe they are improving year on year, I simply believe that a vast majority of GAA County teams are deteriorating year on year. The outcome remains the same even if Dublin stands still as there are probably only 2 teams who have the depth of players to live with them for 55 mins, 1 for 70 and none for 80, unless Kerry learn how to close out games.
The race for the All Ireland is now a very damp squib for 30 counties....
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Post by Mickmack on Dec 20, 2020 21:23:41 GMT
imcreasing number of subs from 3 to 6 simply hands a huge advantage to the side with the strongest panel.
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Post by john4 on Dec 20, 2020 21:24:58 GMT
Some musings on yesterdays game: It was v evident that some of Mayo's new guys completely choked, particularly Eoghan McLoughlin (7) who made 2 criminal mistakes losing possession in the second half on beeaks for Mayo, and Tommy Conroy (13) who totally froze and was like playing with 14 men. That the latter was on the pitch after 50 mins spoke volumes on the contrast in player depth - by my reckoning, Mayo probably have 10 players who are really of the standard required (a county team that peaked 4 years ago) whereas Dublin have 25 players at the level and at the peak of their powers. This imbalance is not Mayos fault, its the GAA's fault. Mayo, have regularly fallen victim to quick Dublin starts - from throw ins at start of first and second halves, just like Kerry did in the replay last year when we, like Mayo, parted like the red sea. Its poor concentration and poor planning. In one close final between Dublin and Mayo, Dublin hit 1-3 in scores in minutes 1, 35 inj time, 36 restart and 70. Not tuned in but 6 in a close game is monumental concentration lapsing. Dublin have 4 players who are their permanent go to's - Cluxton, JamesMc, Fenton and Kilkenny and Mayo didnt have enough fingers to plug the leaks in the dike. Durcan wrapped up Kilkenny until injury put him on the sideline but Con was given the freedom of the park, eventho he personally killed Mayo when they last met. Just like Keegan on Connolly in the day, putting Durcan on Kilkenny took one of the best wing backs in the country out of the game. I genuinely think Kerry can beat this iteration of Dublin - I dont believe they are improving year on year, I simply believe that a vast majority of GAA County teams are deteriorating year on year. The outcome remains the same even if Dublin stands still as there are probably only 2 teams who have the depth of players to live with them for 55 mins, 1 for 70 and none for 80, unless Kerry learn how to close out games. The race for the All Ireland is now a very damp squib for 30 counties.... Very good analysis but on the point that we are potentially the best shot at beating Dublin I'm not so sure. Defensively, we are not strong enough to be contain Dublin. Our full back line in particular I'd be concerned about the most. Our half backs can't tackle properly and end up giving away needless frees. We've about 5 forwards up to the same level that Dublin has about 8 of, and even at that their defensive qualities are not at the required level either. Massive wake up call needed imo. Sorry for the bad news.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Dec 20, 2020 21:27:53 GMT
* sake let's have a bit of optimism. How great it would be to take down the Dubs next year.
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Post by john4 on Dec 20, 2020 21:31:34 GMT
* sake let's have a bit of optimism. How great it would be to take down the Dubs next year. Dreaming won't make it happen! There needs to be a serious examination of where we are at and where we are going and do it. No excuses.
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Post by oohaahduagh on Dec 20, 2020 21:32:17 GMT
imcreasing number of subs from 3 to 6 simply hands a huge advantage to the side with the strongest panel. That’s a good point. Perhaps a reduction in the allowed number of subs might go some infinitesimal way towards redressing the imbalance. Wouldn’t be great for Kerry right now, but all supporters outside of Dublin have bigger fish to fry right now beyond our parochial concerns.
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Post by taggert on Dec 20, 2020 21:36:47 GMT
John, I'm trying to offer myself a little hope. I said can, not will!!!! I believe we can. I don't think we will alter the course of this juggernaut in the medium to long term but we can win it in 2021. Dublin have some outstanding players but I believe we do also. In a one off game, our craven hunger and desire allied with some small fortune and improved scoring effeciency could win the day. Dublin's defence is not as strong as it was.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Dec 20, 2020 21:49:57 GMT
* sake let's have a bit of optimism. How great it would be to take down the Dubs next year. Dreaming won't make it happen! There needs to be a serious examination of where we are at and where we are going and do it. No excuses. It's hardly insurmountable odds.
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Post by john4 on Dec 20, 2020 21:59:03 GMT
John, I'm trying to offer myself a little hope. I said can, not will!!!! I believe we can. I don't think we will alter the course of this juggernaut in the medium to long term but we can win it in 2021. Dublin have some outstanding players but I believe we do also. In a one off game, our craven hunger and desire allied with some small fortune and improved scoring effeciency could win the day. Dublin's defence is not as strong as it was. I completely understand Taggert, it's important to have hope, and of course you are right, it is possible that we could beat Dublin, but we need to examine every aspect of what we are doing, correct what is wrong and immediately, or else we're wasting our time. We have the same 8 or 10 backs on the panel with the last 3 years, are they really the best we have?? I sense there's a bit of complacency on the panel right now, I'd like to see more lads unsure of their place. Can we bring in about 20/25 of the best backs in the county into Currans and work with them, you'd never know who'd be uncovered. We need 1 if not 2 midfielders. Again bring in a shot of potential forwards do all the S&c work with them and shake up the lads that are in there already. Above all else everyone will need to be able to tackle properly including the forwards. If they really want it of course they can do it but I get the sense that they want it too easy.
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dano
Senior Member
Posts: 530
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Post by dano on Dec 20, 2020 22:01:28 GMT
It is the stamina of the Dublin players that amazes me. For example Murchin made a run yesterday late in the game, A long energy consuming run at speed. Like a guy that was fresh off the bench? I know all top teams in GAA are on professional diets and have strength and conditioning training sessions etc. but Dublin seem to be a step ahead. I agree about the bitterness from the good Doctor but, as Saoirse said, probably reflects how a lot of the fans up there think. If he's bitter now imagine how he was when Dublin were not going so well.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Dec 20, 2020 22:01:32 GMT
I can't see complacency next year after PUíC.
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Post by john4 on Dec 20, 2020 22:02:37 GMT
Dreaming won't make it happen! There needs to be a serious examination of where we are at and where we are going and do it. No excuses. It's hardly insurmountable odds. We scored 13 points in 2 hours against the winners of Division 3, Cork. It's more insurmountable than we think
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tpo
Senior Member
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Post by tpo on Dec 20, 2020 22:20:21 GMT
imcreasing number of subs from 3 to 6 simply hands a huge advantage to the side with the strongest panel. Only 5 allowed
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Dec 20, 2020 22:23:42 GMT
It's hardly insurmountable odds. We scored 13 points in 2 hours against the winners of Division 3, Cork. It's more insurmountable than we think Kerry should have beaten the team lauded as the greatest of all time in 2019. Kerry won the league. That Cork result was an abomination but also an aberration.
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Post by john4 on Dec 20, 2020 22:25:25 GMT
We scored 13 points in 2 hours against the winners of Division 3, Cork. It's more insurmountable than we think Kerry should have beaten the team lauded as the greatest of all time in 2019. Kerry won the league. That Cork result was an abomination but also an aberration. Nearly never bulled a cow
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Dec 20, 2020 22:26:24 GMT
Kerry should have beaten the team lauded as the greatest of all time in 2019. Kerry won the league. That Cork result was an abomination but also an aberration. Nearly never bulled a cow Indeed and one swallow doesn't make a summer.
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Post by taggert on Dec 20, 2020 22:35:10 GMT
John, I'm trying to offer myself a little hope. I said can, not will!!!! I believe we can. I don't think we will alter the course of this juggernaut in the medium to long term but we can win it in 2021. Dublin have some outstanding players but I believe we do also. In a one off game, our craven hunger and desire allied with some small fortune and improved scoring effeciency could win the day. Dublin's defence is not as strong as it was. I completely understand Taggert, it's important to have hope, and of course you are right, it is possible that we could beat Dublin, but we need to examine every aspect of what we are doing, correct what is wrong and immediately, or else we're wasting our time. We have the same 8 or 10 backs on the panel with the last 3 years, are they really the best we have?? I sense there's a bit of complacency on the panel right now, I'd like to see more lads unsure of their place. Can we bring in about 20/25 of the best backs in the county into Currans and work with them, you'd never know who'd be uncovered. We need 1 if not 2 midfielders. Again bring in a shot of potential forwards do all the S&c work with them and shake up the lads that are in there already. Above all else everyone will need to be able to tackle properly including the forwards. If they really want it of course they can do it but I get the sense that they want it too easy. I think that is fair. Its a short window next year, end of Feb to end of July per the provisional plan. We need to have more variety in systems and if we can unearth new blood, then all for it - that may include someone down the pecking order stepping up. I suspect we will have learned much from this year - managemennt team and players. Lets hope they act on it....
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Post by Mickmack on Dec 20, 2020 22:46:06 GMT
Some musings on yesterdays game: It was v evident that some of Mayo's new guys completely choked, particularly Eoghan McLoughlin (7) who made 2 criminal mistakes losing possession in the second half on beeaks for Mayo, and Tommy Conroy (13) who totally froze and was like playing with 14 men. That the latter was on the pitch after 50 mins spoke volumes on the contrast in player depth - by my reckoning, Mayo probably have 10 players who are really of the standard required (a county team that peaked 4 years ago) whereas Dublin have 25 players at the level and at the peak of their powers. This imbalance is not Mayos fault, its the GAA's fault. Mayo, have regularly fallen victim to quick Dublin starts - from throw ins at start of first and second halves, just like Kerry did in the replay last year when we, like Mayo, parted like the red sea. Its poor concentration and poor planning. In one close final between Dublin and Mayo, Dublin hit 1-3 in scores in minutes 1, 35 inj time, 36 restart and 70. Not tuned in but 6 in a close game is monumental concentration lapsing. Dublin have 4 players who are their permanent go to's - Cluxton, JamesMc, Fenton and Kilkenny and Mayo didnt have enough fingers to plug the leaks in the dike. Durcan wrapped up Kilkenny until injury put him on the sideline but Con was given the freedom of the park, eventho he personally killed Mayo when they last met. Just like Keegan on Connolly in the day, putting Durcan on Kilkenny took one of the best wing backs in the country out of the game. I genuinely think Kerry can beat this iteration of Dublin - I dont believe they are improving year on year, I simply believe that a vast majority of GAA County teams are deteriorating year on year. The outcome remains the same even if Dublin stands still as there are probably only 2 teams who have the depth of players to live with them for 55 mins, 1 for 70 and none for 80, unless Kerry learn how to close out games. The race for the All Ireland is now a very damp squib for 30 counties....Good post Dublin will mop up the All Ireland in any year that the main contenders malfunction. Like in 2020 Even if Kerry get in for the odd one, its hard to see any other county having their day in the sun. Its a sad thought.
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kerryexile
Fanatical Member
Whether you believe that you can, or that you can't, you are right anyway.
Posts: 1,117
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Post by kerryexile on Dec 21, 2020 0:20:59 GMT
I agree totally that Dublin are a professional team. Acknowledging their professional status, then they are a mediocre professional side.
We always had this vague picture of what a professional Gaelic football team would be like, the creativity of Barcelona, Brazil. Unfortunately they have turned out to be Germany, technically perfect and mechanical, once described by Ron Atkinson as being "results machines" with little entertainment value. It almost appears that it is a chore that they must get done before they go home to their families.
I agree with what Pillar said - there are serious chinks in that Dublin side. Mayo walked into the disastrous tactic of bringing the ball into the full forward line. The swarm suffocated them. They had numerous chance to take points from 25 metres out. Once again the vast majority Dublin scores came from the D. When Mayo were putting it up to them in the first half Dublin's accuracy was not as high as when they are coasting.
They are very beatable by a team who has the freedom to make decisions on the hoof and knows what "the jugular" means.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Dec 21, 2020 0:24:35 GMT
Some musings on yesterdays game: It was v evident that some of Mayo's new guys completely choked, particularly Eoghan McLoughlin (7) who made 2 criminal mistakes losing possession in the second half on beeaks for Mayo, and Tommy Conroy (13) who totally froze and was like playing with 14 men. That the latter was on the pitch after 50 mins spoke volumes on the contrast in player depth - by my reckoning, Mayo probably have 10 players who are really of the standard required (a county team that peaked 4 years ago) whereas Dublin have 25 players at the level and at the peak of their powers. This imbalance is not Mayos fault, its the GAA's fault. Mayo, have regularly fallen victim to quick Dublin starts - from throw ins at start of first and second halves, just like Kerry did in the replay last year when we, like Mayo, parted like the red sea. Its poor concentration and poor planning. In one close final between Dublin and Mayo, Dublin hit 1-3 in scores in minutes 1, 35 inj time, 36 restart and 70. Not tuned in but 6 in a close game is monumental concentration lapsing. Dublin have 4 players who are their permanent go to's - Cluxton, JamesMc, Fenton and Kilkenny and Mayo didnt have enough fingers to plug the leaks in the dike. Durcan wrapped up Kilkenny until injury put him on the sideline but Con was given the freedom of the park, eventho he personally killed Mayo when they last met. Just like Keegan on Connolly in the day, putting Durcan on Kilkenny took one of the best wing backs in the country out of the game. I genuinely think Kerry can beat this iteration of Dublin - I dont believe they are improving year on year, I simply believe that a vast majority of GAA County teams are deteriorating year on year. The outcome remains the same even if Dublin stands still as there are probably only 2 teams who have the depth of players to live with them for 55 mins, 1 for 70 and none for 80, unless Kerry learn how to close out games. The race for the All Ireland is now a very damp squib for 30 counties.... Interesting if general analysis - damp squib for what 30 teams, either 31 or, ah Mayo, Tyrone, Galway, Kerry, Cork best us and who Tipp beat ... and there are more. It was 14 to 15 scores yesterday and if Mayo that are '4 years past it' were that bad then how come they had Dubs on the ropes, and that they had. I'd benchmark Mayo yesterday at say 95% by comparison to Dubs and when you consider that AIG and Croker, etc are part of 'the team' then it gets even more interesting. I believe Kerry with DB are potentially better than the Dubs but our performance has frozen and not just v Cork - some may argue but I just gasp when I see our selection panel before a game, awesome, dwarfs any team historically and while yes, there are increasingly more supports in place, what with Currans, etc, there is no shortage of raw talent. We need a management development program, maybe our sponsors can help as they have mastered that. Go through our panel and find a player who wouldn't get on each and every Kerry team in history. DC might even be the best ever Gaelic foot ball player - I could go on. Making the greatest team out of great players requires a step up in management from making a great team with good players. In this context I am convinced the Manager should have AI silver - we need to tick all the boxes to beat what is the best team the game has ever seen. Recall Dwyer, Paidi, Cody, Loughnane, Morgan, etc and now Joyce, getting animated on the sideline, driving 'em on, all but playing on the pitch. What Dub managers lack in that respect is made up elsewhere. You need to get close to lads, they feel you are a leader because you have been there. Ah maybe this is for longer term, PK is there but we need DB and then need to grow up, go away and have a fee pints, just like a couple do when life gets difficult. To not be able to this is to suffer from individualism, and that is before the team even take to the field and which puts more pressure on management cohesion. Blast it we are Kerry, 37 All Irelands going back a century, I look at how well Donegal as a management team gel, look at is it Tipp with Paddy Christy - either DB is back or we need to know why. Do TCB know? Hey, there is more to life than Sam these days, so stay safe a chairde, there is no score yet in next years AI and maybe we can do it. Ballythefireside quote of the day - Life is but a game, on and off the field of play
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fivenarow
Senior Member
If it aint broken, then dont fix it!
Posts: 924
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Post by fivenarow on Dec 21, 2020 0:35:48 GMT
I am not sure if there is a separate thread for ladies football. Wonderful contest in Croke Park today. Helter skelter from pillar to post. Sinead Aherne, Dublin captain , made a wonderfully inclusive speech at the end. The quality of the Dublin tackling was very impressive. Textbook technique executed perfectly. A good game for the neutral, some of the skill & stamina levels were at a very high level . We’re miles behind these counties in terms of development, bar for a few involved with the senior team we have very few high level people involved in teams. Some of the people involved in underage teams in the county have hardly played the game at any level & are only involved to get their kids or club members on county panels. This has been the situation for years which has led to decent players going off playing other sports & not committing to gaa as their number one sport. The proof of the pudding is the senior team playing in division 2 & underage teams struggling to get out of Munster. It’s no wonder ex players won’t touch ladies gaa here, we need a clean out from the bottom up & get some decent coaches in who know what they’re doing & have no connection to a player on the team.
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