I think Dublin can do it again this year

D_Man_22

I know it's early days but I think Dublin have what it takes to win 2 All Ireland's on the trot.

If you agree. Why?
If you disagree. Why Not?

D_Man_22

I think superior fitness and training methods, a young and upcoming talented team, and a desire to taste glory again are all on their side.

dcr22B

It's early days yet to be making predictions like that. The league is normally a barometer for the championship but I think it's effect has been diluted by the re-introduction of the semi finals meaning there is now more room for experimentation.

I think we'll be there or thereabouts but it's not an easy thing retaining Sam, it's only been done twice in the last 25 years, I think (Cork 89/90 and Kerry 06/07)

blackbelt

I don't think Dublin will win it again in 2012 for the reasons DCR mentioned.It is very hard to come back the next year and win it again.

The facts are that Kerry and Tyrone are the two stand out teams so far out of the whole league.While the latter are head and shoulders above the other teams in Division 2, I think they would not fare as well if they were in Division 1 where its dog-eat-dog and the division is wide open apart from Kerry winning 4 out of 5 games.

Donegal are blowing hot and cold, Down have been impressive thus far apart from the Cork and Kerry games, Mayo have fallen back a bit and not faring well against the Northern teams.Cork have been unimpressive in the league in my opinion. Dublin seem to be impressive enough in their wins.The game against Kerry would be expected to be a writeoff but the defeat to Down will bring them down to Earth on where they are and what they need to do which may not be a bad thing in the medium term.

Meanwhile teams like Derry,Meath and Galway all look poor.Kildare have gotten over their initial bad streak and look good but will it be a case of missing too many chances in the crunch game?

My money is on Kerry but Dublin have a lot of players still to come back in Nolan, O Sullivan,Bernard Broganm,Bastick and Cahill is only just back.It is hard to know what is happening with Cork.They have not really been themselves since the injuries accrued last year.Tyrone could do some damage in the championship.

Diabhal Beag

Hard to look past Dublin. Not a standout few years for top teams in football if we're being honest. Kerry have so much experience though that even one of their poorer teams in years got to an All-Ireland Final along with a Munster title. Aside from those two Tyrone at the moment show potential to a top contending team but after all it's early days yet.

Dunno why Galway were even mentioned in consideration there TBH and I'm a Galway man.

Fireball07

I'm sure they can win it... I don't think they will though. It's hard to retain a title.

J K

Kildare will probably win Leinster.
Dublin might not survive long in the qualifiers - theres a lot of teams
out there in great form at the moment and with quality players - Tyrone, Kildare and Kerry among others.

meriwether

Certainly Dublin can do it.

If you think about last year, Diarmuid Connolly was to all intents and purposes a passenger against Donegal and Kerry.

If he gets his consistency sorted, and has more days like he did against Tyrone, thats almost like a new forward.

Once upon a time, Dublin were fit athletes. However last year, they married to this actual football ability - they 1-3 they shot to win the AI against Kerry were great scores, all very composed.

dcr22B

meriwether wrote: »

If you think about last year, Diarmuid Connolly was to all intents and purposes a passenger against Donegal and Kerry.

I think you need to watch the contribution he made in the last 7 minutes of the final v Kerry. It was something that went unnoticed by me until I watched a replay of the game but the amount of work he put in through those last 7 minutes played a significant part in the winning of the game.

I'm assuming you're talking about the fact that he didn't score and I agree with you that he needs to become more consistent.

klairondavis

J K wrote: »

Kildare will probably win Leinster.
Dublin might not survive long in the qualifiers - theres a lot of teams
out there in great form at the moment and with quality players - Tyrone, Kildare and Kerry among others.

Even IF Kildare do win Leinster Dublin will probably only have to survive one round of the qualifiers. Kildare and Meath are on the other side of the draw in Leinster and even a below par Dublin should have way too much for the likes of Laois and Wexford.

Royal Seahawk

dcr22B wrote: »

It's early days yet to be making predictions like that. The league is normally a barometer for the championship but I think it's effect has been diluted by the re-introduction of the semi finals meaning there is now more room for experimentation.

I think we'll be there or thereabouts but it's not an easy thing retaining Sam, it's only been done twice in the last 25 years, I think (Cork 89/90 and Kerry 06/07)[/

Meath in 1988.

useurename

I don't think Dublin will win this year. They are a good team who had a very good year last year.The hunger brought them over the line last year.The reason i would not back them is that they had too many close victories last year.A single point victory to Kildare(soft free at the end),only a goal to spare against Wexford,a horrible game vs donegal and an excellent comeback against Kerry.There best game was against Tyrone when they were scintilating.It gave them great belief and confidence.I think that they will come out the wrong end of a close q/f or s/f.Kerry for Sam

ShamoBuc

Meath in 1988.

Yeah, I still don't forgive Tommy Sugrue:mad:

I don't think dublin will do it again this year, it is notoriously hard to do it back to back. I reckon they will have more of a chance next year than this year - sounds strange I know but we'll see.

blowitupref

Very hard to win back to back All Ireland titles nowadays Cork arguably better than Dublin last year couldn't do it.

I have no doubt Dublin will win another All Ireland within the next few years especially with Dean Rock,Ciaran Kilkenny becoming established members.

Cork,Kerry or Tyrone for the All Ireland 2012 IMO.

DARK-KNIGHT

It's a throw up between Kerry cork Tyrone Kildare and dublin IMO maybe mayo thrown in as maybes!!

Can't see Dublin doing it this year but that team looks to have anotherAI in next few years!!!

Don't mind me saying but we should be talking about league not championship at the moment!!! FAIRWEATHER FAN??? Lol plus this thread seems arrogant to say the least

blackbelt

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

It's a throw up between Kerry cork Tyrone Kildare and dublin IMO maybe mayo thrown in as maybes!!

Can't see Dublin doing it this year but that team looks to have anotherAI in next few years!!!

Don't mind me saying but we should be talking about league not championship at the moment!!! FAIRWEATHER FAN??? Lol plus this thread seems arrogant to say the least

Agree that the league should take precedence but it is a valid GAA topic worth discussing. I think Dublin can win it but I don't think they will. 2 years of not winning Sam will spur Kerry on IMO.

DARK-KNIGHT

blackbelt wrote: »

Agree that the league should take precedence but it is a valid GAA topic worth discussing. I think Dublin can win it but I don't think they will. 2 years of not winning Sam will spur Kerry on IMO.

Tyrone look so good now though, they are gonna be hard to beat IMO anyways

blackbelt

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Tyrone look so good now though, they are gonna be hard to beat IMO anyways

Hard to say. It remains to be seen if the new players can adapt to the Croke Park turf in the heat of championship.I did not get to see them against Kildare in the league, horrible weather kept me in the pub. What was your impression of them that night against Kildare?

corny

They can but they wouldn't be favourites in most peoples book, mine included.

The reason why they probably won't is obvious. So little separates them from the likes of Kerry and Cork that the bite needed last year might not be present to the same degree. Certainly that happened with Cork in 2011.

The one positive for Dublin supporters is that they probably have the best man in charge for maintaining acceptable standards.

homerjay2005

i dont think dublin will win the all ireland.

ciarriaithuaidh

I mo thuarim féin...
Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone,Cork..,would be my current betting ranking were I a bookie.

With O'Gara's improvement (to a degree at least) a more confident squad and manager and superior conditioning to every team bar maybe 2, Dublin will be hard to beat again this year.
Cork have gone backwards IMO..persisting with guys who are either not up to it, or so predictable that they have no effect against the top teams. Gameplan (if there is one?) nowhere near as effective as 2009 or parts of 2010. Even if Goulding/Sheehan return they have too many potential weaknesses from 1-9. Power and quality of forwards potentially, still make them a top 4 team though.
Tyrone, as ever, lurk in the shadows. Have been playing Div 2 football, but been going ok. We won't know their true level until July or after. Qualifiers have suited them in the past. A danger to ANY team they play.
Which leaves my dear Kingdom. Have been using the league well, blooding some young lads. Still with as good a forward line (on paper at least) as anyone. More solid midfield than you would have thought 2 years ago. Fitness possibly an issue with certain players if not the entire squad. Steam-rolled in last 10 mins of the final last year. Guaranteed to be in the shake-up and will be more feared than fearing any opponent

Elsewhere...Kildare at the head of the peleton...just don't have the top class forward needed to make it to the highest plain IMO..a shame because they can play great football sometimes.
Donegal, will be as difficult as in 2011..same gameplan expected this summer..teams without long range kickers throughout the field will struggle against them. Don't see them winning an AI with this tactic..though if McGuinness changes the system a bit (with Murphy in his right place at the edge of the square for example) they will be dangerous.

DARK-KNIGHT

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

I mo thuarim féin...
Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone,Cork..,would be my current betting ranking were I a bookie.

With O'Gara's improvement (to a degree at least) a more confident squad and manager and superior conditioning to every team bar maybe 2, Dublin will be hard to beat again this year.
Cork have gone backwards IMO..persisting with guys who are either not up to it, or so predictable that they have no effect against the top teams. Gameplan (if there is one?) nowhere near as effective as 2009 or parts of 2010. Even if Goulding/Sheehan return they have too many potential weaknesses from 1-9. Power and quality of forwards potentially, still make them a top 4 team though.
Tyrone, as ever, lurk in the shadows. Have been playing Div 2 football, but been going ok. We won't know their true level until July or after. Qualifiers have suited them in the past. A danger to ANY team they play.
Which leaves my dear Kingdom. Have been using the league well, blooding some young lads. Still with as good a forward line (on paper at least) as anyone. More solid midfield than you would have thought 2 years ago. Fitness possibly an issue with certain players if not the entire squad. Steam-rolled in last 10 mins of the final last year. Guaranteed to be in the shake-up and will be more feared than fearing any opponent

Elsewhere...Kildare at the head of the peleton...just don't have the top class forward needed to make it to the highest plain IMO..a shame because they can play great football sometimes.
Donegal, will be as difficult as in 2011..same gameplan expected this summer..teams without long range kickers throughout the field will struggle against them. Don't see them winning an AI with this tactic..though if McGuinness changes the system a bit (with Murphy in his right place at the edge of the square for example) they will be dangerous.

Kildare don't have a top class forward???? JOHN DOYLE!!! I'll say no more...

After John,mcCormack and Conway. I believe we do have top class forwards they just need to settle rather than going for everything.

ciarriaithuaidh

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Kildare don't have a top class forward???? JOHN DOYLE!!! I'll say no more...

After John,mcCormack and Conway. I believe we do have top class forwards they just need to settle rather than going for everything.

John Doyle..who has been playing midfield for the past year?
McCormack??
Conway..the converted wing back?

DARK-KNIGHT

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

John Doyle..who has been playing midfield for the past year?
McCormack??
Conway..the converted wing back?

Kavanagh not mcCormack lol

Doyle plays anywhere he is put, best player in the country on his day.. Earley is just back that leaves Doyle a forward!!!!

Conway may very well be converted but he is playing well in forwards, that's a silly thing to say though he played Wong back he cannot be a forward ffs!!

Was just talkin to a mate of mine name John mcCormack I was thinking Kavanagh obviously lol

DARK-KNIGHT

I'm saying it a long time Kildare need to reign in the silly no hope shots!! Take the scores that are kickable and hold possession til they are in better positions instead of ballooning shots from any angle!! I don't think the forwards are bad I think management need to calm the attacking to a scoring chance kinda thing

blackbelt

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Doyle plays anywhere he is put, best player in the country on his day..

While I agree that Doyle is an amazing player and one of the best in the country, I can think of several other players who are better than him in midfield and as a forward.

As forwards...Alan and Bernard Brogan, Diarmuid Connolly, Paul Galvin, Colm Cooper,Kieran Donaghy,Darren and Declan O Sullivan, Daniel Goulding, Colm O Neill, Michael Murphy, Eoin Mulligan (when in form)

In midfield... Michael Darragh McAulay,Bryan Sheehan,Sean Cavanagh.

I know where you are coming from but I think literally the above is the case.Top scorer is an achievement but the quantity of games and quality of opposition would be a factor.

DDC1990

Can Dublin do it? Yes.

Will they do it, more then likely not. It is so difficult to lift the heads, and take another swing at an All Ireland after winning it in September.

Takes away the Hunger, and the Commitment is just slightly less.

Wh will win it instead? Usual Suspects will be in the QF/Semi Finals.
Kerry, Dublin, Cork, Tyrone, Donegal, Kildare, Mayo, Down. QF's.
Kerry, Dublin, Cork and Tyrone in the Semis.


Then it depends on the draw.
Cork v Tyrone i'd fancy Cork
Kerry v Tyrone i'd fancy Tyrone
Dublin v Tyrone - Draw then Dublin after a replay :P

Kerry vs Dublin - Kerry
Kerry vs Cork - Kerry

Cork - Dublin - Very close. Dublin at the moment, but things change :P

Still early days though.

Stinicker

Kerry will win it, they are playing super in the league and that is even without Gooch. Going up to Cork and winning in Pairc ui Chaoimh in the league takes guts and determination.

Kerry will probably blow Dublin to Kingdom come if they meet them this year, they were way too cocky in 2011 and severely underestimated Dublin in the final who to give them Credit played their very best with the referee on their side throughout the game, the result a 1 point win with a dubious free! That was a lucky win like Armagh in 2002, a one hit wonder like Cork in 2010!

Kerry will win the League, beat Cork next July and plough onto overall success.

DARK-KNIGHT

blackbelt wrote: »

While I agree that Doyle is an amazing player and one of the best in the country, I can think of several other players who are better than him in midfield and as a forward.

As forwards...Alan and Bernard Brogan, Diarmuid Connolly, Paul Galvin, Colm Cooper,Kieran Donaghy,Darren and Declan O Sullivan, Daniel Goulding, Colm O Neill, Michael Murphy, Eoin Mulligan (when in form)

In midfield... Michael Darragh McAulay,Bryan Sheehan,Sean Cavanagh.

I know where you are coming from but I think literally the above is the case.Top scorer is an achievement but the quantity of games and quality of opposition would be a factor.

agree with you but doyle is an all rounder he has proved it year in year out i think he could play in the backs too he is that good a reader of the game. connolly isnt a better forward than doyle, the brogans are another kettle of fish though lethal as we know but i think its a big throw up between most forwards in that list he is defo better than galvin cant understand galvin getting a mention..

he is what he is and we love him lol....

my point was only to show kildare do have talent up front they are just too erratic at times is all

ShamoBuc

Stinicker wrote: »

Kerry will win it, they are playing super in the league and that is even without Gooch. Going up to Cork and winning in Pairc ui Chaoimh in the league takes guts and determination.

Kerry will probably blow Dublin to Kingdom come if they meet them this year, they were way too cocky in 2011 and severely underestimated Dublin in the final who to give them Credit played their very best with the referee on their side throughout the game, the result a 1 point win with a dubious free! That was a lucky win like Armagh in 2002, a one hit wonder like Cork in 2010!

Kerry will win the League, beat Cork next July and plough onto overall success.

So, Dublin were lucky, had the ref in their pocket, played to the best of their ability and only won because of a dubious free - oh, and Armagh and Cork winning Sam were lucky also.

Stinicker

ShamoBuc wrote: »

So, Dublin were lucky, had the ref in their pocket, played to the best of their ability and only won because of a dubious free - oh, and Armagh and Cork winning Sam were lucky also.

I think that any team that wins an All-Ireland is lucky, Cork however this year will still be a force to be reckoned with, they had Kerry beat the last day if Canty tried to blast the ball wide he might have actually scored!

ShamoBuc

Stinicker wrote: »

I think that any team that wins an All-Ireland is lucky, Cork however this year will still be a force to be reckoned with, they had Kerry beat the last day if Canty tried to blast the ball wide he might have actually scored!

He told me he's holding that winning goal for when we play eachother in croker next...he has a big bet on;)

DARK-KNIGHT

Stinicker wrote: »

Kerry will win it, they are playing super in the league and that is even without Gooch. Going up to Cork and winning in Pairc ui Chaoimh in the league takes guts and determination.

Kerry will probably blow Dublin to Kingdom come if they meet them this year, they were way too cocky in 2011 and severely underestimated Dublin in the final who to give them Credit played their very best with the referee on their side throughout the game, the result a 1 point win with a dubious free! That was a lucky win like Armagh in 2002, a one hit wonder like Cork in 2010!

Kerry will win the League, beat Cork next July and plough onto overall success.

sure kerry can only lose when they beat themselves then or if refs are corrupt and anti kerry??

lol jog on mate

MickySticks

Dublin won't win the All-Ireland this year, Down looked very comfortable in beating them last Sunday.

Kerry and Tyrone are looking in great shape ATM also Cork, Kildare and Down are heading in the right direction too. Dublin have had there day in the sun and it will be another 16 or more years before they will win an AI.

puzzle factory

the heroin has gone to yer heads lads, last year was a fluke.

Pride Fighter

puzzle factory wrote: »

the heroin has gone to yer heads lads, last year was a fluke.

Any more posts like that will result in a ban.

Mod

dcr22B

MickySticks wrote: »

Dublin won't win the All-Ireland this year, Down looked very comfortable in beating them last Sunday.

Were you at the game? I'd highly doubt that you could be in two places at the one time considering that you were at the Kildare game and there was no TV coverage available. Spoofer!

The format of this year's league is meaning that form lines are harder drawn this year but I think it would be very difficult to look beyond Dublin, Kerry, Cork and Tyrone for the main contenders come September.

blackbelt

MickySticks wrote: »

Dublin won't win the All-Ireland this year, Down looked very comfortable in beating them last Sunday.

Kerry and Tyrone are looking in great shape ATM also Cork, Kildare and Down are heading in the right direction too. Dublin have had there day in the sun and it will be another 16 or more years before they will win an AI.

Have to laugh at the notion of this. So the fact that Monaghan wiped the floor with Kildare means that Kildare do not have a hope? Yeah good man, WUMing at its worst.

Also mentioning the 16 year gap, my grandfather had only made his first communion the last time Kildare won the All Ireland.:D

largepants

While I can't have much argument with the rest of your picks but Diarmuid Connolly better than John Doyle? Thats just a crazy notion.AI id between Dublin, Cork and Kerry with Tyrone having the best chance after that. The rest might as well forget about it.

blackbelt

Stinicker wrote: »

Kerry will probably blow Dublin to Kingdom come if they meet them this year, they were way too cocky in 2011 and severely underestimated Dublin in the final who to give them Credit played their very best with the referee on their side throughout the game, the result a 1 point win with a dubious free! That was a lucky win like Armagh in 2002, a one hit wonder like Cork in 2010!

Kerry will win the League, beat Cork next July and plough onto overall success.

WUM,

Still picking the little pieces of your heart off the ground after last Septembers final?Of course you are. Sure anytime Kerry lose it is the referees fault or some other mitigating factor other than the better team won or Kerry were not good enough.

Armagh 2002 (Handy biased referee), Tyrone 2003 (Oh the referee didn't punish those ruffian Tyrone players),2005 (Gooch eye was gouged, we lost because of that), funnily enough you had to come to terms with Tyrone being better after 3 attempts in 2008 and you still could not win but boy did the bitterness show with Spillanes team of the decade rant in 2009 when Tyrone were beaten by Cork.

Down in 2010, Kerry were robbed because of the handpass rule and the CCCCCCCC are just after Kerry left,right and centre. Never mind that Down were in full command of the game from the get-go. Then the cherry on the cake with Dublin matching Kerry throughout in a game that ebbed and flowed each way until we dominated the last 7-8 minutes. Granted Declan O Sullivan made some mistakes but good teams capitalise on others mistakes.

It is this kind of arrogance that puts me off Kerry. A great footballing team, maybe too great for SOME of the Kerry fans own good.

MickySticks

It amazing how anyone who doesn't back "da dubs" is labelled a WUM.

Hammer Archer

MickySticks wrote: »

It amazing how anyone who doesn't back "da dubs" is labelled a WUM.

Who else was labelled a WUM? Other than Stinicker who was (and seems to often be) on a wind up.

DARK-KNIGHT

MickySticks wrote: »

It amazing how anyone who doesn't back "da dubs" is labelled a WUM.

Micky I'm a lily white and über competitive, very county proud with the lily whites but you seem bitter towards Dublin can I ask why? What have the dubs ever do to you?

jack67

MickySticks wrote: »

It amazing how anyone who doesn't back "da dubs" is labelled a WUM.

well you most certainly are ,have a nice weekend:D

MickySticks

Wind your neck in lads ffs. :rolleyes:

full_irish

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Any more posts like that will result in a ban.

Mod

Junky heroin abuse accusations don't qualify as banter!?? :eek::eek:

It's political correctness gone mad I tells ya :pac:

dcr22B

MickySticks wrote: »

It amazing how anyone who doesn't back "da dubs" is labelled a WUM.

I never called you a WUM but you're a spoofer!

MickySticks

dcr22B wrote: »

I never called you a WUM but you're a spoofer!

I couldn't care less what you think TBH.

corny

MickySticks wrote: »

It amazing how anyone who doesn't back "da dubs" is labelled a WUM.

MickySticks wrote: »

Dublin won't win the All-Ireland this year, Down looked very comfortable in beating them last Sunday.

Kerry and Tyrone are looking in great shape ATM also Cork, Kildare and Down are heading in the right direction too. Dublin have had there day in the sun and it will be another 16 or more years before they will win an AI.

I don't think Dublin will win the AI and nobody labelled me a WUM.

Tyrone and Kildare are playing division 2 football and Dublin have confirmed form against both sides in the Championship, especially Kildare.

Cork have won 2 from 5 so 'heading in the right direction' might be a bit off. Every team in division 1, bar Kerry, have mixed the good with bad yet you only wrote off Dublin.

Its the fact you don't come to an arguable conclusion that people accuse you of being a WUM or a spoofer. Don't throw your toys out of the pram when your bluff is called.

NeVeR

Is the match on tv tonight ?

dog_pig

It's only on Setanta as far as I'm aware. Does anyone know a method of streaming Setanta online?