Footballer of the Year

Poor_old_gill

Was looking at the betting this morning and have seen that Con O Callaghan is well ahead for the YFOTY.

Cluxton & Andy Moran are neck and neck for senior footballer- what do people think on tis.

I said it last year but I cant believe that Cluxton has never won it considering how influential he has (and still is) to Dublin.

Andy Moran has had a good seaon but jeez there'll be a big tip of the hat to Fitzmaurice and Shane Enright's boot providers if he wins it.

I thought Geaney had a superb season but as Kerry didnt make the final then I presume he's out.

Got to be Cluxton for me this year

Badabing

If Fenton has a good game and Kilkenny they'd be in there aswell. Boyle aswell for Mayo

Fr Tod Umptious

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Was looking at the betting this morning and have seen that Con O Callaghan is well ahead for the YFOTY.

Cluxton & Andy Moran are neck and neck for senior footballer- what do people think on tis.

I said it last year but I cant believe that Cluxton has never won it considering how influential he has (and still is) to Dublin.

Andy Moran has had a good seaon but jeez there'll be a big tip of the hat to Fitzmaurice and Shane Enright's boot providers if he wins it.

I thought Geaney had a superb season but as Kerry didnt make the final then I presume he's out.

Got to be Cluxton for me this year

If Mayo win and Moran has any influence at all in the final he will win it, if Dublin win it's Cluxtons.

O'Callaghan is nailed on for young player.

Poor_old_gill

Badabing wrote: »

If Fenton has a good game and Kilkenny they'd be in there aswell. Boyle aswell for Mayo

Yeah Boyle has been good in fairness- wouldnt agree on Fenton & Kilkenny though

Poor_old_gill

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

If Mayo win and Moran has any influence at all in the final he will win it, if Dublin win it's Cluxtons.

O'Callaghan is nailed on for young player.

Yeah I see it as something similar- Mayon win and its Morans and if Dublin win then its Cluxtons.

PARlance

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Yeah I see it as something similar- Mayon win and its Morans and if Dublin win then its Cluxtons.

Wouldn't say its Moran's for sure. When Mayo win it could come down to the best performance on the day. Boyle, Higgins, O'Shea could all snatch it imo. Even the likes of Doherty in my book but he's gone a little under the radar.

Mr. Incognito

Aidan O Se for me so far.

Has been everyman to Mayo and played in every position bar Goal.

Slattsy

Hard to look outside of Dublin or Mayo.

For Mayo, Moran the obvious one but Boyle and Higgins have been good too.

Still hard to believe that Cluxton has never won it, so I think when ( ) Dublin win on Sunday he'll be good thing, so no point talking about any other Dublin player!!!

Fr Tod Umptious

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

Aidan O Se for me so far.

Has been everyman to Mayo and played in every position bar Goal.

He'll play there too before the game is over.

If he has a big game in the final then he could be in with a good shout.

Poor_old_gill

Hmmm I'm surprised on Higgins- hasnt stood out for me.

Aidan O Shea might get it for the redemption narrative but I wouldnt think he has played any better this year than previous years- if he has a whopper of a final then that will change it obviously

PARlance

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Hmmm I'm surprised on Higgins- hasnt stood out for me.

Aidan O Shea might get it for the redemption narrative but I wouldnt think he has played any better this year than previous years- if he has a whopper of a final then that will change it obviously

Higgins has been very good and was superb in the Roscommon replay.

We could be in Div 2 and long gone out of the Championship without Aidan imo.

seamus

Between sniper-accurate kick-outs and a number of decisive saves, I think Cluxton is well on track for it this year. And not just as a consolation due to his tenure, but because he's had one of the, if not the, best seasons I've ever seen him play.

As many have noted in recent weeks, Cluxton is now the only player on the Dublin team where you'd worry about his absence. Any other player could get hit by a bus on Saturday and you'd still be confident about Dublin on Sunday. But if Cluxton was gone you'd be forgiven for thinking all is lost.

I do agree Aidan O'Sé is a strong contender, but nobody really comes close to Cluxton this season.

corny

O'Callaghan won't get it because he'll get the YPOTY but he's been the best Dub for me.

flasher0030

PARlance wrote: »

Higgins has been very good and was superb in the Roscommon replay.

We could be in Div 2 and long gone out of the Championship without Aidan imo.

He's been good in the last 3 games. Prior to that he hasn't played well. There was a lot of comments on here not too long ago that he should be demoted to the subs bench. After performances against Galway, Derry, Clare and Cork.

Pussyhands

seamus wrote: »

Between sniper-accurate kick-outs and a number of decisive saves, I think Cluxton is well on track for it this year. And not just as a consolation due to his tenure, but because he's had one of the, if not the, best seasons I've ever seen him play.

As many have noted in recent weeks, Cluxton is now the only player on the Dublin team where you'd worry about his absence. Any other player could get hit by a bus on Saturday and you'd still be confident about Dublin on Sunday. But if Cluxton was gone you'd be forgiven for thinking all is lost.

I do agree Aidan O'Sé is a strong contender, but nobody really comes close to Cluxton this season.

Good kickouts yes, but he's had them all along so shouldn't be something that makes him the best footballer of the year.

Decisive saves? A decisive save for me is one that influences the final outcome of the game. Cluxton could have conceded 2 goals every game and the Dubs would still be comfortably where they are.

Pussyhands

Footballer of the year should go to the best footballer of the year, not a lifetime achievement for reaching a certain level like Moran or Cluxton.

Cluxtons kickouts have been the same for a number of years yet didn't come close to winning it before, don't see why it should put him top of the pecking order.

Same with Moran, he had a great game v Kerry first day out but he's not been anything special otherwise. If either of these players win it then it is essentially a lifetime achievement award for the winning team.

I'd have Con O'Callaghan and Colm O'Boyle ahead of these 2.

seamus

Pussyhands wrote: »

Good kickouts yes, but he's had them all along

Well, no he hasn't. 2015 and 2016 were actually kind of ropey years for Cluxton's kicking (in comparison to previous form), 2016 in particular. There were suggestions that it might be time to start thinking about giving someone else a go in goal.
In the last five years, he's switched from primarily long kickouts, to primarily short kickouts, to where we have been this year where mid-length kickouts dominate moreso than massive kicks up forward. Obviously this is all at the behest of Gavin, but it shows that Cluxton is rock-solid when it comes to tactics. He's not one to fly off on his own crusade and make it up as he goes along. He's capable of sticking to the plan, even under pressure. Which is additionally crucial when he's the captain.

Decisive saves? A decisive save for me is one that influences the final outcome of the game. Cluxton could have conceded 2 goals every game and the Dubs would still be comfortably where they are.

Every save influences the final outcome of a game. So too does every goal. Maybe if you stop a shot in the dying minutes of a game where you're 10 points up. But until 55/60 minutes, any goal has the potential to swing the whole thing.

And saving isn't just about stopping direct shots on goal, it's about disrupting the forwards, keeping control of the goal area and catching or deflecting balls passed into the square.

Every time a direct attack on goal is denied, the opposition's confidence and determination is broken a little bit more.

Timely enough, there's a decent analysis here: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gaa-statistics-decoding-stephen-cluxton-s-kickout-1.3219834

Like I mention above, this wouldn't be a lifetime achievement award. Cluxton has been legitimately crushing it this year. The Dubs would be lost without him.

Pussyhands

seamus wrote: »

Well, no he hasn't. 2015 and 2016 were actually kind of ropey years for Cluxton's kicking (in comparison to previous form), 2016 in particular. There were suggestions that it might be time to start thinking about giving someone else a go in goal.
In the last five years, he's switched from primarily long kickouts, to primarily short kickouts, to where we have been this year where mid-length kickouts dominate moreso than massive kicks up forward. Obviously this is all at the behest of Gavin, but it shows that Cluxton is rock-solid when it comes to tactics. He's not one to fly off on his own crusade and make it up as he goes along. He's capable of sticking to the plan, even under pressure. Which is additionally crucial when he's the captain.

Every save influences the final outcome of a game. So too does every goal. Maybe if you stop a shot in the dying minutes of a game where you're 10 points up. But until 55/60 minutes, any goal has the potential to swing the whole thing.

And saving isn't just about stopping direct shots on goal, it's about disrupting the forwards, keeping control of the goal area and catching or deflecting balls passed into the square.

Every time a direct attack on goal is denied, the opposition's confidence and determination is broken a little bit more.

Timely enough, there's a decent analysis here: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/gaa-statistics-decoding-stephen-cluxton-s-kickout-1.3219834

Like I mention above, this wouldn't be a lifetime achievement award. Cluxton has been legitimately crushing it this year. The Dubs would be lost without him.

Still don't think the kickouts have been anything to propel him to the top.

Whether they are short or long, accuracy and gaining possession is the only thing that matters. There'll probably be times this weekend when Cluxtons kickouts are ****e as Mayo know what to do whereas the others are far below Dublins level.

Regarding his saves, Dublin are miles ahead of every other team they played this year and conceding goals at even the worst times wouldn't have changed the result.

Con O'Callaghan should get it if the dubs win. Colm O'Boyle if not.

ClanofLams

Pussyhands wrote: »

Same with Moran, he had a great game v Kerry first day out but he's not been anything special otherwise. If either of these players win it then it is essentially a lifetime achievement award for the winning team.

I'd have Con O'Callaghan and Colm O'Boyle ahead of these 2.

Moran got 1-1 against Kerry in the replay, 1-2 against Roscommon in the replay. Fairly sure I read he's the top scorer from play in the Championship. He's as worthy a candidate as any at the moment although, as usual, Sunday will have a disproportionate impact on the award.

Tombo2001

Pussyhands wrote: »

Footballer of the year should go to the best footballer of the year, not a lifetime achievement for reaching a certain level like Moran or Cluxton.

Cluxtons kickouts have been the same for a number of years yet didn't come close to winning it before, don't see why it should put him top of the pecking order.

Same with Moran, he had a great game v Kerry first day out but he's not been anything special otherwise. If either of these players win it then it is essentially a lifetime achievement award for the winning team.

I'd have Con O'Callaghan and Colm O'Boyle ahead of these 2.

I think if you were to say which player would Dublin miss most if he was gone, then the answer this year would be Cluxton.

They've progressed without Connolly this year, without McCaffrey last year.....both former players of the year.

Same As

corny wrote: »

O'Callaghan won't get it because he'll get the YPOTY but he's been the best Dub for me.

What's the logic here? Austin Gleeson won the hurling POTY & YPOTY last year, as did Tony Kelly for Clare. If you're good enough, you're old enough. If he has a good final, he has every chance of winning both.

Same As

Tombo2001 wrote: »

They've progressed without Connolly this year, without McCaffrey last year.....both former players of the year.

Not to be pedantic, he has never won player of the year.

Tombo2001

Same As wrote: »

Not to be pedantic, he has never won player of the year.

Fair enough.

Frequently cited as the best footballer in the country maybe.

Anyway he deserves the accolade at some point, and sure this year is as good as any;)

munster87

Think Cluxton will get it if Dublin win but personally would have Clarke in goal ahead of him on an all star team at the moment. Few great saves again against Kerry in the replay.

Road-Hog

seamus wrote: »

Between sniper-accurate kick-outs and a number of decisive saves, I think Cluxton is well on track for it this year. And not just as a consolation due to his tenure, but because he's had one of the, if not the, best seasons I've ever seen him play.

As many have noted in recent weeks, Cluxton is now the only player on the Dublin team where you'd worry about his absence. Any other player could get hit by a bus on Saturday and you'd still be confident about Dublin on Sunday. But if Cluxton was gone you'd be forgiven for thinking all is lost.

I do agree Aidan O'Sé is a strong contender, but nobody really comes close to Cluxton this season.

Just don't understand the obsession so many javevwirh cluxton......no doubt he is a quality goal keeper but he is prone to 'howlers' of kick outs e.g. Last year v Kerry he almost gifted them a victory and there are quite a few other e.g. Also😡

Road-Hog

Pussyhands wrote: »

Footballer of the year should go to the best footballer of the year, not a lifetime achievement for reaching a certain level like Moran or Cluxton.

Cluxtons kickouts have been the same for a number of years yet didn't come close to winning it before, don't see why it should put him top of the pecking order.

Same with Moran, he had a great game v Kerry first day out but he's not been anything special otherwise. If either of these players win it then it is essentially a lifetime achievement award for the winning team.

I'd have Con O'Callaghan and Colm O'Boyle ahead of these 2.

Couldn't agree more...

blowitupref

Winner should be Andy Moran having his best scoring season from play at aged 33. Top of the scoring charts from play well ahead of the rest or be it more games played. To win it he'll probably have to have a decent AI final if not it will likely go to a Dub.

Bonniedog

Only award that matters is the Celtic Cross. Everyone remembers the team that walks away with those. Who remembers Hurler or Footballer of the Year? Their ma, maybe.

munster87

Would remember most footballer of the years to be honest. It's a great accolade to be fair.

DJIMI TRARORE

It's a bit daft really,that we have to wait to see who wins the AI b4 poty is known,average season but gud, final =winner :steady season but poor final =loss

blowitupref

DJIMI TRARORE wrote: »

It's a bit daft really,that we have to wait to see who wins the AI b4 poty is known,average season but gud, final =winner :steady season but poor final =loss

That would be daft if it were to happen.

DJIMI TRARORE

DJIMI TRARORE wrote:

It's a bit daft really,that we have to wait to see who wins the AI b4 poty is known,average season but gud, final =winner :steady season but poor final =loss

blowitupref wrote:

That would be daft if it were to happen.

Cluxton is an example of what I meant,nothing spectacular all season(not that he had to be),20\30 meter kicks,and he'll probably get it if dubs win,whereas Moran being pretty solid in 4 or 5, matches cud score 3/4 pts from play on Sunday and not get poty

blanch152

munster87 wrote: »

Would remember most footballer of the years to be honest. It's a great accolade to be fair.

I remember clearly Dublin winning the All-Ireland in 1976 and 1977. I don't have a clue who won POTY. While I know Brogan and McCauley have won it, I wouldn't know which year.

It is interesting for a minute of two but it is All-Irelands that count.

blanch152

DJIMI TRARORE wrote: »

Cluxton is an example of what I meant,nothing spectacular all season(not that he had to be),20\30 meter kicks,and he'll probably get it if dubs win,whereas Moran being pretty solid in 4 or 5, matches cud score 3/4 pts from play on Sunday and not get poty

Cluxton is the only irreplaceable player on the two-time All-Ireland champions, that makes him a more than credible player of the year but he will only want to be lifting his fourth All-Ireland as captain.

Stoner

Ahh, the keeper is always a Dub on everyone's ultimate teams.

It gets a Dub out of the way quickly and it's not really seen as a proper position anyway

But Cluxton has put it on the map so that's something in itself

Bit of a pain in my hoop listening to people saying Clarke is the best shot stopper around, regardless if it's the case or not, people are just repeating it now. I think in the first game against Roscommon he was not great for the two early goals, a lob and through his legs.

I think he's a fine Keeper TBH, but I think lads are sick of hearing about Cluxton so they throw this back.

Keegan was muck for the first few games last year and won it on the home stretch, so all Moran has to do is play well on Sunday..

Can't see O'Callaghan getting it I agree he's ypoty and the easy option will be taken. McCarthy would be my Dublin offering.

Boyle is playing very well, he's cut out the messing this year too and is a better player as a result imo.

Again I'm sick of hearing about Higgins at this stage, he's in a great position now, his best. But his primary defensive play is poor and overlooked imo. Keegan won it last year and his defensive game was a huge factor.

I think its more straight forward this year.

seamus

Road-Hog wrote: »

e.g. Last year v Kerry he almost gifted them a victory and there are quite a few other e.g. Also��

Yeah, last year

We're talking about POTY this year and the quality of his play this year has been as close to perfect as a player can get.

MayoAreMagic

Im not seeing the whole Cluxton for POTY thing. Great player obviously, but for this season the vast majority of his kickouts have been short, and I haven't seen him make any more saves than the next keeper tbh... Im scratching my head trying to figure out what he has done that makes him worthy of it. You can say that is down to Dublin not being challenged, but that still doesn't mean he gets the award.

McCarthy has been consistently very good for Dublin. Followed by Mannion and then O'Callaghan. All ahead of Cluxton in my book.

There are more in the shakeup for Mayo, by virtue of the fact they have played more games and had more tests. Any of AOS, Higgins, Clarke, Moran or Boyle would have a strong claim if they had a good final.

For me Higgins is the guy that has been playing the highest level of football consistently and so should get it, assuming everything stayed as is for the final, but knowing the award he probably wont.

MayoAreMagic

Stoner wrote: »

Bit of a pain in my hoop listening to people saying Clarke is the best shot stopper around, regardless if it's the case or not, people are just repeating it now. I think in the first game against Roscommon he was not great for the two early goals, a lob and through his legs.

I think he's a fine Keeper TBH, but I think lads are sick of hearing about Cluxton so they throw this back.

It is easy picking out an odd instance in one game though. If the above logic is to be accepted, I can just point to cluxton's two kickouts against Kerry in last year's semi and basically dismiss his ability on kickouts... You can 'prove' anything about anyone like that.

The reality is Clarke is far bigger man than cluxton, and has better reflexes. He also commands his area better. Those things combine to better shot stopping, pain in your hoop or not. Cluxton is better in other areas though, the thing is, he just isn't the best in all areas. That is completely reasonable so I don't see why you would have a pain anywhere when addressing the point. It is fanboy territory to try to suggest that your player is the best at everything. It is a bit like the old, my dad is stronger routine.

Stoner wrote: »

Again I'm sick of hearing about Higgins at this stage, he's in a great position now, his best. But his primary defensive play is poor and overlooked imo. Keegan won it last year and his defensive game was a huge factor.

I think its more straight forward this year.

His primary defensive play has been pretty good this year to be honest with you. He has for the most part operated as a sweeper and has got on a load of ball in the defence, turning it into attack effectively - surely a sign that he is doing his job well? Furthermore, McCaffrey won a POTY award and defensively he is comfortably Dublin's worst defender, so if you are sick of Higgins you must be sick of McCaffrey getting praise too... You cant have it every way.

MayoAreMagic

blanch152 wrote: »

I remember clearly Dublin winning the All-Ireland in 1976 and 1977. I don't have a clue who won POTY. While I know Brogan and McCauley have won it, I wouldn't know which year.

It is interesting for a minute of two but it is All-Irelands that count.

Funny enough, this doesn't really hold true. Two dozen odd guys get all Ireland medals every year. Some of them never kick a ball. Only one gets the POTY though, and nobody else can win it for you.

Dirty Dingus McGee

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

It is easy picking out an odd instance in one game though. If the above logic is to be accepted, I can just point to cluxton's two kickouts against Kerry in last year's semi and basically dismiss his ability on kickouts... You can 'prove' anything about anyone like that.

The reality is Clarke is far bigger man than cluxton, and has better reflexes. He also commands his area better. Those things combine to better shot stopping, pain in your hoop or not. Cluxton is better in other areas though, the thing is, he just isn't the best in all areas. That is completely reasonable so I don't see why you would have a pain anywhere when addressing the point. It is fanboy territory to try to suggest that your player is the best at everything. It is a bit like the old, my dad is stronger routine.




His primary defensive play has been pretty good this year to be honest with you. He has for the most part operated as a sweeper and has got on a load of ball in the defence, turning it into attack effectively - surely a sign that he is doing his job well? Furthermore, McCaffrey won a POTY award and defensively he is comfortably Dublin's worst defender, so if you are sick of Higgins you must be sick of McCaffrey getting praise too... You cant have it every way.

Cluxton is excellent at commanding his area one of the best in the country, this implication of him only being good at kickouts get throw around all the time and it just isn't true.

MayoAreMagic

seamus wrote: »

Yeah, last year

We're talking about POTY this year and the quality of his play this year has been as close to perfect as a player can get.

I remember one very good long kick against tyrone, and a good save early in the season, was it Kildare?
Anything else?

MayoAreMagic

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Cluxton is excellent at commanding his area one of the best in the country, this implication of him only being good at kickouts get throw around all the time and it just isn't true.

I would consider him average at commanding his area. He comes out but he probably lacks a presence and maybe a bit of size. He isn't excellent at it in fairness. Clarke would be exceptional at it though. He just has the tools for that skillset.

Like Clarke would have an average return on kickouts. Cluxton is exceptional at that and has the tools for that skillset.

Swings and roundabouts, some guys are just better at certain things than others - same as outfield players. No player is the best at every facet. This fanboy attitude where he has to be the best at everything is tedious.

Anyway, the point is who should get POTY. I would have at least 3 Dublin players ahead of cluxton for it.

Bonniedog

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

I remember one very good long kick against tyrone, and a good save early in the season, was it Kildare?
Anything else?

A goalkeeper's primary role is probably to prevent goals being scored. Clarke has conceded 11 goals in the league and championship. So far ....

Cluxton has conceded just 3.

Shurimgreat

Bonniedog wrote: »

A goalkeeper's primary role is probably to prevent goals being scored. Clarke has conceded 11 goals in the league and championship. So far ....

Cluxton has conceded just 3.

Mayo have played ten games against teams who genuinely put it up to them rather than throwing in the towel early as most teams do in the Leinster championship. Dublin have played a couple of mickey mouse games in Leinster and a couple of soft games against Ulster opposition who have no interest in scoring goals.

So not really a fair comparison.

I'm of the view Dublin haven't really been tested this year. And by tested I mean the game is still in the balance with 10 minutes to go.

Dirty Dingus McGee

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

I would consider him average at commanding his area. He comes out but he probably lacks a presence and maybe a bit of size. He isn't excellent at it in fairness. Clarke would be exceptional at it though. He just has the tools for that skillset.

Like Clarke would have an average return on kickouts. Cluxton is exceptional at that and has the tools for that skillset.

Swings and roundabouts, some guys are just better at certain things than others - same as outfield players. No player is the best at every facet. This fanboy attitude where he has to be the best at everything is tedious.

Anyway, the point is who should get POTY. I would have at least 3 Dublin players ahead of cluxton for it.

I'd disagree, he regularly comes out and catches the ball or punches balls out to the side and takes the pressure off his fullback.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Shurimgreat wrote: »

Mayo have played ten games against teams who genuinely put it up to them rather than throwing in the towel early as most teams do in the Leinster championship. Dublin have played a couple of mickey mouse games in Leinster and a couple of soft games against Ulster opposition who have no interest in scoring goals.

So not really a fair comparison.

I'm of the view Dublin haven't really been tested this year.

That tends to be the case with great teams in all sports.They're too good to let themselves get tested.

seligehgit

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

That tends to be the case with great teams in all sports.They're too good to let themselves get tested.

TBH I think is the greatest load of nonsense that is trotted out,none of these teams have been capable of testing Dublin.It is a means of holding back credit of a Dublin that just so much superior that same teams could not compete.

MayoAreMagic

Bonniedog wrote: »

A goalkeeper's primary role is probably to prevent goals being scored. Clarke has conceded 11 goals in the league and championship. So far ....

Cluxton has conceded just 3.

Hmm. In that case Cillian O'Connor must be the best forward of all time, as he has broken all scoring records this year...:rolleyes:

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

I'd disagree, he regularly comes out and catches the ball or punches balls out to the side and takes the pressure off his fullback.

He has done this on occasion. So have all keepers though. That doesn't mean he is excellent at it. There is obviously a distinction to be made there.

But again, this is about POTY, Im not looking to drag the thing off track.

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

That tends to be the case with great teams in all sports.They're too good to let themselves get tested.

Examples?

Dirty Dingus McGee

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

Hmm. In that case Cillian O'Connor must be the best forward of all time, as he has broken all scoring records this year...:rolleyes:




He has done this on occasion. So have all keepers though. That doesn't mean he is excellent at it. There is obviously a distinction to be made there.

But again, this is about POTY, Im not looking to drag the thing off track.



Examples?

This Dublin team, Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga,Kilkenny in the 00's etc etc etc are examples of teams who are too good to be challenged in most matches.

Cluxton has been excellent at commanding his area over the years better than 90% of keepers in the country.

If Dublin win the all ireland I wouldn't mind seeing him win footballer of teh year as a Ryans Giggs style lifetime achievement award.

MayoAreMagic

seligehgit wrote: »

TBH I think is the greatest load of nonsense that is trotted out,none of these teams have been capable of testing Dublin.It is a means of holding back credit of a Dublin that just so much superior that same teams could not compete.

Sorry but it isn't.
A harder run is getting drawn on the same side as Kerry or Mayo. Tyrone were supposed to step up, but their competitiveness was shown to hinge on their system. When that was taken away, they were shown to be an average team. Dublin uncracked it, and fair play to them for that, but the end result is they haven't really had a test yet. It might make a difference, it might not. But you cant start pretending that it doesn't represent a softer run to the final.
If that is the case then there has never been a soft all Ireland, as the winners were just so good rather than the others being bad. We know that isn't true.

Bonniedog

Shurimgreat wrote: »

Mayo have played ten games against teams who genuinely put it up to them rather than throwing in the towel early as most teams do in the Leinster championship. Dublin have played a couple of mickey mouse games in Leinster and a couple of soft games against Ulster opposition who have no interest in scoring goals.

So not really a fair comparison.

I'm of the view Dublin haven't really been tested this year. And by tested I mean the game is still in the balance with 10 minutes to go.

If Dublin had played Galway, Derry, Clare, Cork, Roscommon and dareisayit! even the Princes, then they would have been "mickey mouse games." too.