Dublin GAA Discussion Thread MOD WARNING POST #2944

Bambi wrote: »

It's funny you mention Donaghy I think Poor Michael has joined Keiran in the ranks of players that were formerly talented but are now just big useless fookers that are only good for walloping the lads who are cleaning them out

I'm tempted to throw Aidan O'Shea into the mix too & then just sit back and watch the chaos & carnage ensue. But I'm not that much of a trouble maker.....whistles innocently....

All those points from Cormac Costello yet not getting a sniff in the Championship. Slightly worrying.

BonnieSituation wrote:

Unlike Donaghy, MM is a footballer and is still capable of some decent things...

I'd take the two of them tomorrow.

Well of we had him they wouldn't, never said he'd get his game !

In the same seats as I was for the QF (305RR).

I'll be made up if I get that lucky for the final (should we get there).

Anyone know what the dress code is for the boxes at croker? Heading the the hurling semi tm

There is no one dress code that everyone has to abide by, unless the company that has the box, stipulates their own dress code for people in their box. My nieces company does a lot of corporate hospitality in Croker. When they attend games in the company box, they have to wear business casual clothes. That comes from the company itself & not Croke Park. Check with the company, if you're worried that your jeans & beer and ketchup stained jersey won't cut the mustard.

Has O Gara appealed his red yet? Haven't heard anything on it.

And in all liklihood, i don't see O'Gara being a starter or a massive contention for coming in off the bench in the two (possible) games we have.

He's seen a half sniff of championship football this year and has himself to blame for the (poorly officiated) red card. I don't think there's wiggle room, a strike is a strike and thats what he did. It was soft but if Jim starts muddying the water with an appeal that isn't clear-cut over a non-starter he could make life unneccesarily hard on the team

Yeah I'd agree with that too - I also think that while JG would appear publicly to be backing O'Gara it wouldn't surprise me if behind it all there's a message to O'Gara to get his discipline in order - was only on the field a few mins down in Kilkenny and got a yellow too. Personally I think JG will let the sleeping dogs lie, it doesn't serve any purpose to get embroiled in that appeals process for as you say a bit part player this season at least.

I'd appeal it, this one is fair.

Thoughts on the game?
I feel exactly like I did for the league final, it's just as likely that Kerry will show up. I think the matchups will be similar to last year, expecting D Daly to do a job off the beach again he's been a very good problem solver. I'm expecting another big game from Mannion, I think his speed, strength and runs will trouble the Kerry backs.
Midfield again will be key, need another good game from MDMA.

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Thoughts are that as nearer it gets my realism is sinking in. Not worried about this game. Kerry have been gash for a year and there's zero evidence to suggest that they're gonna turn up. All this crap about them aiming for this game is balls.

I think Dublin will win but never underestimate what adversity can bring out in people. They were well beaten last year and i'm sure the drive to overturn that has pushed them far in training this year. Bet your life they won't be cannon fodder.

I've been very impressed with Dublins application this year though. No passengers. No one resting on last years success. We were more than willing to run Donegal into the ground in adversity and if thats matched or bettered i can't see Dublin losing.

Interested to see how their forwards get on. For the past 18 months Dublins defenders have been crucifying the opposition. First to every ball, making their men run in the opposite direction, etc. Lots of the credit is given to the new 'system' but thats too simple imo. Individual battles are being won consistently. O' Donoghue won't get a sniff i tell ye.;)

Yeah I'm hoping for a good game. Kerry and Dublin have that in them .

Last year Brolly was using Kerry's performance against Donegal as proof of how flexible they are and how they can fit any shape required. Now less than a year later it's apparently their brand and a weakness.
In fairness to Kerry they tried a few different styles against Dublin, if they went out for another 2013 then people would talk about their limitations on the line. I'm concerned that Brolly is writing kerry off, I preferred the spoof smokey stuff we saw last year about their savage bench etc, we saw through that here and so did many kerry guys, but there is no way Kerry are the new Donegal, that insults Donegal and Kerry imo.
I'm definitely expecting something different this time again from Kerry.
I'd actually disagree agree that you can't hold Dublin out for the whole game.
Much like talk about you can score long range points for a whole game.
I think again that apart from our midfield paring that Dublin finish with a better team than the starting lineup with the likes of McManamon coming off the bench in the past as a superior option coming on, same with Mannion vs Donegal we've seen his form all year, Donegal would have struggled with him regardless of when he was introduced. They set up to mark Brogan out of the game but were not able to change their style for Mannion. I think that's your point though as well Doc.

A lot of the reasons some teams give for losing to Dublin centres on being tired, I'm sure that happens but we have also done well recently with our defensive subs closing down the oppositions main threat (Daly v McHugh V O'Sullivan) and also putting lads on that have a bit more than the defenders. The matchups are right. That's something Fitzmaurice was being lauded for 10 months ago. I doubt that's changed

I think that Kerry can definitely win this game , I'm expecting something different, someone playing in a different position etc (like the way DOS writes about doing something different every game) we had that with Philly on Gooch last time. I agree with you there alright Doc. It took the Kerry line ages to adjust to Philly last year. That won't happen again. So we need our own style changes.

We need to be the new Donegal.
Get some guy up a tree with a camera, have a look at Enright playing corner forward!

One thing though , I'm expecting a big game from Brogan

I'll be disappointed if its not +6 points at the end of 70 mins.

As I said already, last years AI final was one of the most comfortable victories I've seen in any AI final - the score line flattered Kerry and they were probably lucky is was wet that day - and lets be honest, they haven't improved from last year (though they didn't have to given who they have played).

The funny thing is, when Dublin come through against easy teams and get to a semi they're always 'vulnerable'.
When Kerry do it, they can only beat 'whats in front of them' and are now classed as 'dangerous' or 'lurking in the long grass'

The fact Kerry have not been tested will work against them big time. While the Donegal game, although handy enough for us, will stand to us given how Donegal set up.

**** it, Dublin by 10

I believe Kerry were lucky that O'Mahony was sent off in the league final. It gave them something to hang onto. We were comfortable that day against them, and even when it was 15 on 15, I never felt that we were in any danger, and always looked like pulling away. It was the same against Donegal, even when DC was sent off, the team believed they had what it took to win the game. That self belief is the biggest improvement in Dublin in the last few years.

I'm also expecting a big game from Bernard. I'm hoping for a disciplined performance by DC. Dublin by 5/8 points, but leading throughout the second half.