Dublin GAA Discussion Thread MOD WARNING POST #2944

DoctaDee

Bonniedog wrote: »

..........And speaking of "officials". Anyone cop the black clad bouncer who stopped the boys bringing the trophy over to that little girl Molly (I think) in the lower Cusack?

Surprised Flynner didn't clock the officious pr1ck.

Now, that's my rant for the day :-)

Aye had me own run in with a jobsworth checking tickets yesterday .. they must've called in the A Team for the ocassion ..

... oh I've another moan .... I thought it was disrespectful to Tyrone to have Dublin run out in the middle of SC's victory speech, then have Tyrone sidle around the pitch down the Kerry end with the trophy afterwards. I've been in a dressing when being subjected to the strict time protocols of the GAA - with the time overlap and possibility of extra time the 2nd game should've been put back til 3.45 - 4.00 imo

Bonniedog

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Im sure molly would have appreciated seeing paul flynn clock someone. :rolleyes:

maybe the official was under orders not to allow that to happen? rules are rules and all that

Did I say that he ought to have hit him? No.

I was commenting on the petty jobsworth who was obviously deliberately placed in front of the family to stop them going over for a minute or two. Same idiots enforcing the "rules" had to be fkn told five times to get off the pitch!

DARK-KNIGHT

Bonniedog wrote: »

Did I say that he ought to have hit him? No.

I was commenting on the petty jobsworth who was obviously deliberately placed in front of the family to stop them going over for a minute or two. Same idiots enforcing the "rules" had to be fkn told five times to get off the pitch!

that guy was there to do a job, calling him a prick simply isnt on. im not saying the team shouldnt have been allowed over with the silverwear but obviously that guy had his orders

Bonniedog

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

that guy was there to do a job, calling him a prick simply isnt on. im not saying the team shouldnt have been allowed over with the silverwear but obviously that guy had his orders

I seem to recall that excuse from a certain trial

Seriously though, if someone told you to stand in front of a little girl to stop her having a quick photo would you?

I know for certain that I would not.

ProudDUB

There were fireworks and cables along the touchlines for the show afterwards. I think the stewards were keeping the players away from them & not deliberately keeping them away from Molly in the stands. (It's absolutely brilliant to see her looking so well, isn't it?) Now, we all know that Paul Flynn is a Superman, who can leap tall buildings in a single bound, but even he might find that hard to do if he is missing a leg. But sure you never know with Flynner. If anyone can do it, he can !

That being said, the timing of the day was off. The Dublin and Kerry teams came on & started their warm ups, when the Tyrone players were only coming down with their trophy. The Tyrone players couldn't do a proper lap of honour with their trophy, as they were in the way of the warms ups. Now I doubt if Sean Cavanagh is all that bothered about doing laps of honour with the Div 2 trophy, but it's the principle of it all. The Div 2 winner should be able to do their lap of honour and not be rushed off the pitch, as another game is about to start.

Then the Dubs lap of honour was cut short, as the Laochra show was about to start. Again, Paul Flynn is not going to lose any sleep over that, but what if that was Roscommon, or Monaghan? It's not fair to deprive them of the thrill of running around a packed Croke Park and showing off their trophy to their supporters, family and friends. An extra 10 minutes, either side of both final whistles, wouldn't have gone amiss imo.

Stoner

ProudDUB wrote:

Paul Flynn is not going to lose any sleep over that.

It does equal the record though , what's that only two other lads did it before ?

Bonniedog

Bonniedog wrote: »

It was a great day. Dublin have established a dominance over Kerry that almost equals, and hopefully will surpass, their dominance over Dublin at various times in the past.

What makes it even more amazing is that Kerry are still probably the clear second best team in the country, same as last year.

Can't remember when this gap existed before, maybe the Kerry 4 in a row but too long ago now to make a fair comparison.

Maybe Tyrone will have advanced further than I expect in 12 months but Dublin are way ahead at this stage anyway.

robbiezero

Deleted User wrote: »

What makes it even more amazing is that Kerry are still probably the clear second best team in the country, same as last year.

Can't remember when this gap existed before, maybe the Kerry 4 in a row but too long ago now to make a fair comparison.

Maybe Tyrone will have advanced further than I expect in 12 months but Dublin are way ahead at this stage anyway.

I don't think this Kerry side are a clear second best, well ahead of everyone else. If they are it is a sad indictment of the other counties.
This Kerry side is not a patch on the great team of the last decade.
Of the top teams, I would think Donegal, Tyrone, Mayo and maybe even Cork have a better chance of beating Dublin than Kerry. This Dublin side and it is a brilliant side just have Kerry's number for the moment and probably the near future if not further down the line.

Ironically if one of the above did happen to knock out Dublin, I would give Kerry a decent chance of beating them.

Stoner

I'd agree with that . I'd rather face Kerry than Mayo or Tyrone in a knock out game. Donegal and Cork this year wouldn't have me very concerned. That Tyrone team don't really care about Kerry either, but kerry seem to have a hold on Mayo.

Bonniedog

Dublin are a better team than Kerry at them moment but they are no way as far ahead of them as some are making out - and indeed as some would like to make out for other reasons!

Yes, Tomás, I'm looking at you!

All of Dublin's wins, with possible exception of last year even though it seems more of a dog fight than it was due to the conditions, were sealed on the back of particular events that turned games. That's not to say they were lucky - they make their own luck. But 2011, 2013, 2015 and indeed last Sunday were all in the balance up to the last few minutes.


Likewise with Tyrone, apart from the hammering in the quarter final a few years back, league games have been very close, and they are well capable of beating Dublin. Indeed possibly more so than either Kerry or Mayo. Tyrone in the latter stages will be a dangerous beast.

BonnieSituation

The pervading sense from the media yesterday (Last Word, Off The Ball, newspapers) was mostly about Kerry's failings. And then when anyone had the temerity to compliment us there was a "money, divide them in two, resources" etc. bias to it.

I had thought Tomás' article in the Indo was decent yesterday but then he seemed to row back last night on OTB. Pure Kerry.

robbiezero

Bonniedog wrote: »

Dublin are a better team than Kerry at them moment but they are no way as far ahead of them as some are making out - and indeed as some would like to make out for other reasons!

Yes, Tomás, I'm looking at you!

All of Dublin's wins, with possible exception of last year even though it seems more of a dog fight than it was due to the conditions, were sealed on the back of particular events that turned games. That's not to say they were lucky - they make their own luck. But 2011, 2013, 2015 and indeed last Sunday were all in the balance up to the last few minutes.


Likewise with Tyrone, apart from the hammering in the quarter final a few years back, league games have been very close, and they are well capable of beating Dublin. Indeed possibly more so than either Kerry or Mayo. Tyrone in the latter stages will be a dangerous beast.

I think they are a good way ahead of Kerry, so much so that I would say there is absolutely no chance of this Kerry team without serious surgery, beating Dublin in the next few years.
2011 - Dublin rode their luck a bit and Kerry probably should have closed it out.
2013 - Magnificent game, better team won, but a closer game than the scoreboard indicated, probably the last stand of the great Kerry team of the last decade.
2015 - Close enough game on the scoreboard, in reality Dublin were by a mile the better team. Kerry rode their luck to be that near them in the end.
2016 League final - Dublin again comfortably the better side. Sending off probably made a difference but I have no doubt Dublin were going to win comfortably enough without really hitting any major heights (in attack anyway).

There might be a bit of the "yerra yerra" from Kerry quarters, but I have no doubt they are quite worried about the future and in my view they are quite right to be, although Jack O'Connor's recent minor teams might provide them with a badly needed fresh influx of talent in the years to come.

Stoner

robbiezero wrote:

although Jack O'Connor's recent minor teams might provide them with a badly needed fresh influx of talent in the years to come.

We were better in 2011 too imo as time goes on people will realise that, it's taken a few more beatings from the same lads to make that now even a debate for some. 4 points ahead not that big a deal when Dublin finished with the best available 15 and Kerrys started with their best 15. It was very close though, but if a kerry manager did it that he'd be called a genius. 5 years on Kevin McManamon can still pop off the bench for 10 minutes and score the same as a Cooper and Donaghy combined.

Jack O'Conner has his U21s too, I'd imagine he'll be back soon. If kerry don't win the AI this year I'd say he'll be back in 2017. He must be one of the best in the country and he is sore about 2011. These things run in cycles but you have to realise at some stage that a team of players can't reasonably play the end of an era card for 5 years. Younger and fresher and hungrier etc. Brogan has 3 all Irelands and he's 32 same age as Gooch . He scored four from play on Sunday 3 when the game was tight. Bastic is 34 hugely underrated (thank god)
Anyway I'll shut up, this post was motivated by my respect for the footballing ability of this current Dublin team, I'm not trying to gloat just highlight the some of these lads are serious footballers, watch how COS picked up a 29 year old Gooch in 2013 and Donaghy on Sunday or how well Bastic and MDMA have consistently performed when needed against Kerrys midfield for 5 years now.

ProudDUB

BonnieSituation wrote: »

The pervading sense from the media yesterday (Last Word, Off The Ball, newspapers) was mostly about Kerry's failings. And then when anyone had the temerity to compliment us there was a "money, divide them in two, resources" etc. bias to it.

I had thought Tomás' article in the Indo was decent yesterday but then he seemed to row back last night on OTB. Pure Kerry.

It's mad, isn't it? In the run up to the game, it was all Kerry, Kerry, Kerry, redemption, rejuvenation, Donaghy, Cooper, Donaghy, Cooper blah blah blah. Hardly any credence given to the fact that we were the AI champs and defending league champs.

Then in the aftermath, it was all Kerry, Kerry, Kerry...what went wrong, Kerry, Kerry, Kerry....all over again. Very little respect given, or decent analysis attempted on what we did how & why we won. It's all about them.

This is a really good tactical breakdown on the 42.ie. Sadly, articles like this are few and far between.

http://www.the42.ie/dublin-kerry-analysis-league-final-2734438-Apr2016/

Still, this is just me having a rant. (I'm sure I'll be accused of being a whinger at some stage, by someone. Bring it on. )

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter a damm. Kerry will wallop Cork in the Munster final. All will be forgiven with Fitzmaurice. Out whest, Mayo will teach the Rossies some manners & once again, by mid July, Aidan O'Shea will be unbackable as Footballer of the Year. All the pressure and attention will be back on them and Captain Jim will just steer the ship calmly on, regardless of what anyone says about us. That is all that really matters.

robbiezero

ProudDUB wrote: »

It's mad, isn't it? In the run up to the game, it was all Kerry, Kerry, Kerry, redemption, rejuvenation, Donaghy, Cooper, Donaghy, Cooper blah blah blah. Hardly any credence given to the fact that we were the AI champs and defending league champs.

Then in the aftermath, it was all Kerry, Kerry, Kerry...what went wrong, Kerry, Kerry, Kerry....all over again. Very little respect given, or decent analysis attempted on what we did how & why we won. It's all about them.

This is a really good tactical breakdown on the 42.ie. Sadly, articles like this are few and far between.

http://www.the42.ie/dublin-kerry-analysis-league-final-2734438-Apr2016/

Still, this is just me having a rant. (I'm sure I'll be accused of being a whingers at some stage, by someone. Bring it on. )

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter a damm. Kerry will wallop Cork in the Munster final. All will be forgiven with Fitzmaurice. Mayo will teach the Rossies some manners out whest & by mid July, Aidan O'Shea will be unbackable as Footballer of the Year. All the pressure and attention will be back on them and Captain Jim will just steer the ship calmly on, regardless of what anyone says about us. That is all that really matters.

I'd imagine Kilkenny are in the same boat quite often. The juggernaut rolling on doesn't make for much of a story.
For me as a neutral, the main interest would be why Kerry once again were unable to throw down a decent challenge to Dublin.
For me Dublin largely performed as expected although I would certainly agree that some really good individual performances have gone under the radar somewhat such as:
Fentons outstanding display against David Moran.
Brogan - just pure class.
The displays of the new young lads like Small and Byrne.

It's probably too soon in the year to be eulogising Dublin just yet, but if they win the All-Ireland they will deserve and will hopefully get all the credit for being one of the finest teams of all time.

flasher0030

Bonniedog wrote: »

I seem to recall that excuse from a certain trial

Seriously though, if someone told you to stand in front of a little girl to stop her having a quick photo would you?

I know for certain that I would not.

Now now, "I want the truth"!!!

PressRun

Yeah, I think the focus on Kerry simply comes from the fact that people thought they might have learned something from previous losses to Dublin and that they might have a real plan to put it up to them this time. The fact that they didn't is worthy of discussion and analysis. Dublin weren't the team coming into the match with the head to head tilted against them or with any residual feelings of embarrassment about previous matches, and they were fully expected to win by most. I think it's fairly understandable that the focus would be more on how Kerry would rise to the challenge and, in the aftermath, how they didn't meet that challenge.

I don't really know why people think that Kerry people are lying about where Kerry are at right now or doing the whole wink and a nod thing either. From my experience, Kerry GAA fans are some of the most critical GAA fans out there because expectations are so high (possibly part of the reason they're so successful). In comparison to how the Mayo footballers are treated within their own county, for example, I would imagine the Kerry footballers get a much harder time from supporters. In fairness to Tomás O Sé, I think he probably just felt that, in hindsight, he maybe shouldn't have rubbed salt into the wounds of certain individuals in an article in a national newspaper and he admitted that he wrote the article in the first 24 hours after the match when emotions were still very high. I'm not going to critcise him for looking back at an article he wrote while clearly still quite angry and saying maybe he should have given himself a day or two to digest what happened before publicly tearing into his former teammates and his own brother.

Nidgeweasel

Bonniedog wrote: »

Dublin are a better team than Kerry at them moment but they are no way as far ahead of them as some are making out - and indeed as some would like to make out for other reasons!

Yes, Tomás, I'm looking at you!

All of Dublin's wins, with possible exception of last year even though it seems more of a dog fight than it was due to the conditions, were sealed on the back of particular events that turned games. That's not to say they were lucky - they make their own luck. But 2011, 2013, 2015 and indeed last Sunday were all in the balance up to the last few minutes.


Likewise with Tyrone, apart from the hammering in the quarter final a few years back, league games have been very close, and they are well capable of beating Dublin. Indeed possibly more so than either Kerry or Mayo. Tyrone in the latter stages will be a dangerous beast.

I disagree. Think the gulf is quite evident.

Kerry never looked like winning the game on Sunday, the work they were putting in was there to be seen, the effort required to get a score greatly surpassed what Dublin needed to do. You always felt that the game would just go in the latter stages- admitedly not by the amount it did. Kerry were pitiful in September btw, as bad as the conditions were Dublin were vastly superior.

Don't think that great game in 2013 is relevant any more as the style has changed.

Not gone on Tyrone either, an excellent manager and some really good players. They'll trouble the 'rest' certainly and should be looking to win Ulster. Not realistic AI contenders for me. I think an All Ireland is beyond them.

I feel this year will be akin to 2007, no realistic challengers. 'Easy' (if there is such a thing) Dublin win. Dublin are improving, everyone else is regressing.

Bonniedog

My point was that a lot of the stuff is deliberately designed to get at Dublin. Either attribute everything to other team's failings, or to having too many people or whatever rubbish is the latest.

It is a great Dublin team. The best in fact. My reference to the close nature of big games they've won is a tribute to their balls and 'grace under pressure' and winning games that could go either way.

Anyway, I'm sure the team and management won't be getting sucked into any media hype about them being untouchable. All of which is designed to set them up for a fall. If the fall comes, well and good, but it will take some outfit to bring it about.

blackbelt

Kerry are a spent force with the likes of Donaghy, Aidan O Mahoney, Donnchadh Walsh, Darren O'Sullivan and Cooper getting on in age. Whatever skill level these guys have diminishes as the game goes by because the stamina is not there. I don't think Kerry can suddenly change tactics either and expect any different as Dublin are well accustomed to the blanket defence (see Donegal, Tyrone & Derry games in the past 2 years).

No team in this country can match Dublin for skill, pace, stamina. It is a great time for us but an unusual time for the GAA as it seems now that teams are going out with the attitude that they are already beaten when they face Dublin in Croke Park. Then there is the adage that we are unbeatable. I am weary of Tyrone and Mayo however our biggest threats.

Back to Kerry, I would also suggest now that we have definitely have the better individual footballers as well as all around team. That much has been confirmed since the All Ireland last year in my mind.

robbiezero

blackbelt wrote: »

Kerry are a spent force with the likes of Donaghy, Aidan O Mahoney, Donnchadh Walsh, Darren O'Sullivan and Cooper getting on in age. Whatever skill level these guys have diminishes as the game goes by because the stamina is not there. I don't think Kerry can suddenly change tactics either and expect any different as Dublin are well accustomed to the blanket defence (see Donegal, Tyrone & Derry games in the past 2 years).

No team in this country can match Dublin for skill, pace, stamina. It is a great time for us but an unusual time for the GAA as it seems now that teams are going out with the attitude that they are already beaten when they face Dublin in Croke Park. Then there is the adage that we are unbeatable. I am weary of Tyrone and Mayo however our biggest threats.

Back to Kerry, I would also suggest now that we have definitely have the better individual footballers as well as all around team. That much has been confirmed since the All Ireland last year in my mind.

That has been the case I'd say since 2011. Very few of the Kerry team of the last few years would get a game for Dublin. I would have said David Moran, but he seems to have gone backwards since that super display against Mayo in 2014. A fit James O'Donoghue and possibly Darran O Sullivan maybe - no one else.
A far more interesting comparison is the current Dublin team vs the Kerry and Tyrone teams of the last decade.

corny

Nah I still maintain Kerry have excellent footballers who sure as **** can play with the best. The problem for them is they are physically outmatched. They've lads who are getting on, lads who are too slight and lads who lack mobility. Doesn't cut it against Dublin. They're basically a team full of annoying superman types in the prime.

Enjoy it while it lasts though. In 3 or 4 years a good chunk of our more influential players will enter that phase of life. The wider perception is Dublin will just magically fill the gaps because of their "population, money, etc". That won't be the case IMO.

Stoner

I'd listen to him talk about football anytime, he was a true great and a balanced individual not many would take on the analysis in the honest way he does. I would be very difficult being honest about your brother's and friends display in a national paper, but he did it all right.

When Donegal beat dublin in 2014 Billy
Keane wrote about how he in doing his duty as a kerry man blew smoke up Dublin's backside to hype them up to make it easier to beat them. He wrote that in the paper and tbh I don't know if it was true or he was looking for a way to correct his predictions. Either way when lads do that you can see why people are suspicious.

blackbelt

robbiezero wrote: »

blackbelt wrote: »

Kerry are a spent force with the likes of Donaghy, Aidan O Mahoney, Donnchadh Walsh, Darren O'Sullivan and Cooper getting on in age. Whatever skill level these guys have diminishes as the game goes by because the stamina is not there. I don't think Kerry can suddenly change tactics either and expect any different as Dublin are well accustomed to the blanket defence (see Donegal, Tyrone & Derry games in the past 2 years).

No team in this country can match Dublin for skill, pace, stamina. It is a great time for us but an unusual time for the GAA as it seems now that teams are going out with the attitude that they are already beaten when they face Dublin in Croke Park. Then there is the adage that we are unbeatable. I am weary of Tyrone and Mayo however our biggest threats.

Back to Kerry, I would also suggest now that we have definitely have the better individual footballers as well as all around team. That much has been confirmed since the All Ireland last year in my mind.

That has been the case I'd say since 2011. Very few of the Kerry team of the last few years would get a game for Dublin. I would have said David Moran, but he seems to have gone backwards since that super display against Mayo in 2014. A fit James O'Donoghue and possibly Darran O Sullivan maybe - no one else.
A far more interesting comparison is the current Dublin team vs the Kerry and Tyrone teams of the last decade.

Marginally I would say. I always felt between 2011 and 2013 that we had the better workrate to edge Kerry while they might have had the better individuals overall. We got the rub of the green in 2013 when the two Kerry players collided and McAulay heroically nudged the ball to Kev Mc to kill the game as a contest. That game could have swung either way. Nowadays we are miles ahead.
I think when the long ball is kicked into Donaghy and the heart doesn't race as fast as when it used to, you know Dublin are comfortable. This team just doesn't give into panic as Dublin teams had in the past.
Its hard to compare like with like. Tyrone back in the 2 thousands were an extremely formidable team when they were injury free. Kerry were pure awesome but both those teams didn't dominate as much because the gap was closer between the other contending teams. I think Dublin have widened the gap moreso than the other teams regressing which shows the ability of the team in itself.

Stoner

Nidgeweasel wrote:

I feel this year will be akin to 2007, no realistic challengers. 'Easy' (if there is such a thing) Dublin win. Dublin are improving, everyone else is regressing.

I dont usually disagree with you Nidgeweasel but surely you can see Tyrone getting better and Mayo getting more firing power ?

Stoner

robbiezero wrote:

That has been the case I'd say since 2011. Very few of the Kerry team of the last few years would get a game for Dublin. I would have said David Moran, but he seems to have gone backwards since that super display against Mayo in 2014. A fit James O'Donoghue and possibly Darran O Sullivan maybe - no one else. A far more interesting comparison is the current Dublin team vs the Kerry and Tyrone teams of the last decade.

I'd agree Darren O'Sullivan, Moran , Maher (if Bastic gets his game so would Maher ) Enright he'd need work but imo there's a lot more in him than he's shown in the last 12 months, Moran as you say was the best midfielder in the country recently , Gooch, Donaghy, O'Donoghue they are all fine players a lot of this could come down to management and tactics, it's hard to find a poor kerry player and easy to find some great ones.

BonnieSituation

robbiezero wrote: »

I think they are a good way ahead of Kerry, so much so that I would say there is absolutely no chance of this Kerry team without serious surgery, beating Dublin in the next few years.
2011 - Dublin rode their luck a bit and Kerry probably should have closed it out.

They allowed us back into that game. Completely underestimated us and got their just rewards. Kevin Nolan's was where we won the game.

Although it just levelled the match it gave the game an air of "this is f****** ours".
The best and worst 2 hours of my life bar none.

2013 - Magnificent game, better team won, but a closer game than the scoreboard indicated, probably the last stand of the great Kerry team of the last decade.

I'm a lover of defensive ball so the high scoring nature of this game gives it a black mark in the pantheon for me. TBH though I don't think we get enough credit for this game. I remember having a row with a friend (Armagh lad) about how the result reflected the game and the idea of it being flattering to Dublin is nonsense.

Tomás Ó Sé (I think it was) got Kerry's final score in the 59th minute (ish). Kerry went a third of the second half scoreless and we won by 7 because we didn't stop. So we got the result we deserved. That day out was the day when that Kerry team died and we broke the hoodoo.

2015 - Close enough game on the scoreboard, in reality Dublin were by a mile the better team. Kerry rode their luck to be that near them in the end.

Couldn't agree less. I have never watched a DUB-KER game with such an overriding notion that we are so so so in control. I honestly wasn't too worried watching it at all. Kerry were brutal.

2016 League final - Dublin again comfortably the better side. Sending off probably made a difference but I have no doubt Dublin were going to win comfortably enough without really hitting any major heights (in attack anyway).

This game reminded me of Tyrone in 08, just keeping them at arms length for the whole game. No panic.

The sending off only gives Kerry their excuses that "but for...". Realistically they weren't at the races and but for our profligacy in front of goal in the first 15min we would have been long out of sight earlier. I seemed like we thought that they would be better and we adjust accordingly when they copped on that they were not at the races. We were startled earwigs in 2009... What were they on Sunday? I've said before that I won't miss this Kerry side. They have never given me an iota of joy and to see Gooch lauded for that bloody over the shoulder yoke early on Sunday sticks in my craw. Did no one notice how quiet he was for the rest of the game. A spent force and as Stoner said above, a luxury player.

There might be a bit of the "yerra yerra" from Kerry quarters, but I have no doubt they are quite worried about the future and in my view they are quite right to be, although Jack O'Connor's recent minor teams might provide them with a badly needed fresh influx of talent in the years to come.

Long may they worry. I hope they stay stuck down in the long grass up the mountain and wherever else they go for a long long time.

My days out in the summer will be infinitely more enjoyable as a result. And we can welcome back Tyrone to the top table. I've missed them.

Stoner wrote: »

We were better in 2011 too imo as time goes on people will realise that, it's taken a few more beatings from the same lads to make that now even a debate for some. 4 points ahead not that big a deal when Dublin finished with the best available 15 and Kerrys started with their best 15. It was very close though, but if a kerry manager did it that he'd be called a genius. 5 years on Kevin McManamon can still pop off the bench for 10 minutes and score the same as a Cooper and Donaghy combined.

I'd have edged them in 2011. But the more I play that game over in my head I think you are right.
Watching Donaghy get nothing in the air in the FB line on Sunday was great. It killed the notion that a big man is gonna be useful against us in that regard. Funny, on OTB last night they were talking about how short our back line are... I would never have known woth how much ball they won in the air. Also, it seemed that Mickey Harte's system of having a man awaiting on the patted down ball is working a treat. It was one of the signature tactics of that great Tyrone side. And to see us employing it was great.

ProudDUB wrote: »

It's mad, isn't it? In the run up to the game, it was all Kerry, Kerry, Kerry, redemption, rejuvenation, Donaghy, Cooper, Donaghy, Cooper blah blah blah. Hardly any credence given to the fact that we were the AI champs and defending league champs.

Then in the aftermath, it was all Kerry, Kerry, Kerry...what went wrong, Kerry, Kerry, Kerry....all over again. Very little respect given, or decent analysis attempted on what we did how & why we won. It's all about them.

This is a really good tactical breakdown on the 42.ie. Sadly, articles like this are few and far between.

http://www.the42.ie/dublin-kerry-analysis-league-final-2734438-Apr2016/

Still, this is just me having a rant. (I'm sure I'll be accused of being a whinger at some stage, by someone. Bring it on. )

Have your rant. I've been having it here and over on foot.ie. I'm sick of the Kerry bias. Absolutely sick of it.

A three in a row now to shut them up please and thanks.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter a damm. Kerry will wallop Cork in the Munster final. All will be forgiven with Fitzmaurice. Out whest, Mayo will teach the Rossies some manners & once again, by mid July, Aidan O'Shea will be unbackable as Footballer of the Year. All the pressure and attention will be back on them and Captain Jim will just steer the ship calmly on, regardless of what anyone says about us. That is all that really matters.

Perhaps. I have Cork winning Munster though. I really think Kerry are fecked.

robbiezero wrote: »

For me Dublin largely performed as expected although I would certainly agree that some really good individual performances have gone under the radar somewhat such as:
Fentons outstanding display against David Moran.
Brogan - just pure class.
The displays of the new young lads like Small and Byrne.

Byrne was class and him, Fenton and Bastick were just behind KK for MOTM.

It's probably too soon in the year to be eulogising Dublin just yet, but if they win the All-Ireland they will deserve and will hopefully get all the credit for being one of the finest teams of all time.

It's not too early to even say that.

PressRun wrote: »

Yeah, I think the focus on Kerry simply comes from the fact that people thought they might have learned something from previous losses to Dublin and that they might have a real plan to put it up to them this time. The fact that they didn't is worthy of discussion and analysis. Dublin weren't the team coming into the match with the head to head tilted against them or with any residual feelings of embarrassment about previous matches, and they were fully expected to win by most. I think it's fairly understandable that the focus would be more on how Kerry would rise to the challenge and, in the aftermath, how they didn't meet that challenge.

What's annoying is the disrespect. We were 3 time in a row league winners going into Sunday's game. All Ireland Champions. Unbeaten in the League. And this tired Kerry side who laboured to the final after the opening rounds were going in as our equal and possibly had our number. They've not beaten us in an important game since 2009.

So of course, they were gonna beat us!!!

I don't really know why people think that Kerry people are lying about where Kerry are at right now or doing the whole wink and a nod thing either. From my experience, Kerry GAA fans are some of the most critical GAA fans out there because expectations are so high (possibly part of the reason they're so successful). In comparison to how the Mayo footballers are treated within their own county, for example, I would imagine the Kerry footballers get a much harder time from supporters.

Well there is something going on.

I've never met a Kerryman who ever talked to me about football with a notion that there was anything wrong with his fair Kingdom.

In fairness to Tomás O Sé, I think he probably just felt that, in hindsight, he maybe shouldn't have rubbed salt into the wounds of certain individuals in an article in a national newspaper and he admitted that he wrote the article in the first 24 hours after the match when emotions were still very high. I'm not going to critcise him for looking back at an article he wrote while clearly still quite angry and saying maybe he should have given himself a day or two to digest what happened before publicly tearing into his former teammates and his own brother.

Perhaps. But there was nothing in what he said that was that bad other than he named the specific players. It was mild stuff and I think that he should have stuck to his guns.

We know Kerry people are thin skinned, but come on!

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I disagree. Think the gulf is quite evident.

Kerry never looked like winning the game on Sunday, the work they were putting in was there to be seen, the effort required to get a score greatly surpassed what Dublin needed to do. You always felt that the game would just go in the latter stages- admitedly not by the amount it did. Kerry were pitiful in September btw, as bad as the conditions were Dublin were vastly superior.

YUP!!!

Don't think that great game in 2013 is relevant any more as the style has changed.

robbiezero wrote: »

That has been the case I'd say since 2011. Very few of the Kerry team of the last few years would get a game for Dublin. I would have said David Moran, but he seems to have gone backwards since that super display against Mayo in 2014. A fit James O'Donoghue and possibly Darran O Sullivan maybe - no one else.
A far more interesting comparison is the current Dublin team vs the Kerry and Tyrone teams of the last decade.

I'd take Darran all day. He's a class act from start to finish. Perhaps Moran. But JOD? Heaven's above. Keep him.

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Also, can I just say what a pleasure it has been to watch Denis Bastick this year and last. I though ihe was much maligned given his hot headed tendency over the years. But he has matured into one of our finest ever players.

When he goes we will not know how lucky we were to have him there. Especially to have him there with Fenton starting out.

I've stated before that I think Paul Flynn is possibly the greatest I've ever seen in a Dublin shirt. But I think that Fenton, COS, Jmac and KK are gonna have me considering that again in the years to come.

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Also I f*****g love talking about this Dublin team.

The_Honeybadger

Stoner wrote: »

I'd agree Darren O'Sullivan, Moran , Maher (if Bastic gets his game so would Maher ) Enright he'd need work but imo there's a lot more in him than he's shown in the last 12 months, Moran as you say was the best midfielder in the country recently , Gooch, Donaghy, O'Donoghue they are all fine players a lot of this could come down to management and tactics, it's hard to find a poor kerry player and easy to find some great ones.

I also reckon Crowley, Geaney and Murphy are at or near the level of most of the Dublin squad. Highly biased to say there are only two that would be considered.

Big difference is that Dublin have a much more balanced team with no clear weakness, while Kerry have several gaps, particularly in the backs. Dublin have a clear edge at the moment.

robbiezero

mickeyk wrote: »

I also reckon Crowley, Geaney and Murphy are at or near the level of most of the Dublin squad. Highly biased to say there are only two that would be considered.

Big difference is that Dublin have a much more balanced team with no clear weakness, while Kerry have several gaps, particularly in the backs. Dublin have a clear edge at the moment.

Have no real bias as not from either county, but I accept I was just talking about first 15.
Would have Cian O'Sullivan ahead of Crowley although he is playing very well this year and if he keeps it up, he will certainly get near my Dublin team :-).
Geaney - Nah, has yet to really establish himself on the Kerry team. Looks a really good player, but jury still out.
Murphy - Top defender, I think he would make it alright. Kerry need to stop fluting about with 2 35 year olds getting roasted in defence and their best defender playing centre forward.

The_Honeybadger

robbiezero wrote: »

Have no real bias as not from either county, but I accept I was just talking about first 15.
Would have Cian O'Sullivan ahead of Crowley although he is playing very well this year and if he keeps it up, he will certainly get near my Dublin team :-).
Geaney - Nah, has yet to really establish himself on the Kerry team. Looks a really good player, but jury still out.
Murphy - Top defender, I think he would make it alright. Kerry need to stop fluting about with 2 35 year olds getting roasted in defence and their best defender playing centre forward.

Walsh would have been a nailed on starter over past few years and is underrated, Geaney has had injury issues but is a top player (streets ahead of Rock). There are others too that have been mentioned above, totally disagree with your post but it's all down to opinions.