Dublin GAA Discussion Thread: Mod Note - No 'Dublin Dominance' chat allowed!

Yep, Wicklow starting to believe they can do this

Goal and few points, hopefully that's knocked the stuffing out of them

Con, Basquel injured, red card…2 point win...they won, beyond that little to take from that. Louth will be big favourites in the semi..

I think it was 6 he missed.

Dublin blessed to win first half nevermind winning the match. If I was from Wicklow would be taking Jackson to the Wicklow mountains. Even worse when you consider he nailed 2 pointers v Carlow

Not only did he miss 6, but two of them were brought out from tap-ins to go for the two points after Dublin once again messed up with three up front.

Very little to take from that. Costello was particularly poor in the second half. Why does he persist in attempting shots from between the two arcs, not far enough out for two points, not near enough to be certain of one?

McEneaney and Kennedy were poor, is Lee Gannon available for one of them? Starting Lahiff over O'Cofaigh-Byrne was the wrong call too. Seeing Con and Basquel go off injured was worrying, particularly as Basquel did well when he came on. Murchan looked very shook. White gave away the penalty at the start, and took a while to get back in it.

Of the rest, thought McGinnis was good, made a few interceptions, Scully was the only cool head when we needed to control the game at the end. Bulger was fine in spots, but little else to take home.

Comerford was poor on the kickouts again.

With Louth motoring well against Wexford, we are up against it.

That is all down to coaching and the preparation of the team. Regardless of the skill levels of the players, those are the things that should be a given. Questions need to be asked as to the coaching and philosophy that Ger is trying to follow here.

It seems to me that he is being given a bit too much leeway. No doubt this isn't close to the all-conquering teams that we have become used to, but at no point should Dublin be struggling to beat a Div 4 team. Quite apart from the skill levels, mentality and standards seem to have taken a. massive step backwards

The keeper situation was an odd choice to me. I thought O’Sullivan did more than enough in the league. Yet Comerford started? Plus O’Sullivan is a 2 point option.

Completely agree, haven't been impressed with Comerford for a long time. I wonder Cluxton sticking around for so long had an affect on his confidence and thus his performances.

I think you are spot on, similar vibe to the Irish men’s soccer team. The leadership not really there on the pitch. Has to come from the sideline. Someone like Pat Gilroy would be an ideal interim given the Vincent’s connection with Brennan.

But Gilroy is probably too busy with his business these days (it’s why he could only do a year with the hurlers as it was). Even Gilroy looking on with an annoyed head on him, might get the team to fire up a bit.

Of course there is a former Ireland Presidential candidate that could be an interim option. But imagine the fuss that would cause!

It’s all very weird, no fire or energy in the side.

Fair point - no options really. As for Dean Rock I can’t help thinking he would be more effective on the pitch, as a late sub even. Those frees / 2 pointers alone would be worth it.

Dean legs were gone a long time, even at club level. Peaked around 2019.

I think that 2011 win was completely against the grain. Kind of smash and grab. Made it all the sweeter that it was against Kerry too. The pressure was lifted after that win. It gave the squad belief.

It was notable in Aughrim how patient the Dublin fans were. I heard shouts of “that’s better” etc. Even for players showing a bit of energy, or a good interchange. The fans haven’t turned on the team at all anyway.
I think there’s the realisation that a Leinster Final win would be a real achievement now. I know it is a different level to a Sam but a Leinster win would give the squad a bit of confidence. Badly needed.