Dublin GAA Discussion Thread - 2013

Great win. Mainly for the fightback on a day when a lot wasn't going our way. Lack of fluidity and poor decision making and finishing were a problem, but everyone kept plugging away. Some of the forwards looked to struggle or even be surprised at the tight draggy slappy defence from Tyrone which they should have been expecting. We did well against the off the ball antics, but otherwise struggled a bit, playing through fouls then losing the ball. While at other end they had a gameplay to win the frees and knock them over to win the game. Great striking by their keeper and we seemed not to cop on to the game plan until it was too late.

We didn't make near enough of the wind in the first half, but the fight back was all the more impressive for being in to the wind.

Brogan had a bad enough day, no score from play and a shocking free miss, we have seen in before from him, he needs to really up his concentration when there is messing around him. Although how Duffy let Gormley away with his antics I've no idea. He motioned for him to come to hm for a yellow card 4 times and Gormely just ignored him, then moved forward just as free was taken and got within 4 or 5 yards without any action from ref. Anyway in spite of not being his best day he drew a lot of fouls and could have easily been given 3 or 4 more kickable frees.

Otherwise it was good that we coped well without him being at his best, Mannion did well to score against the tighter marking and his free miss was a more difficult one. Connolly chipped in with two nice points. Paddy Andrews having trouble getting his scoring touch back, he is still trying for wonder scores like earlier in the league but most not near the target. Mcmaneman did well when he came on winning ball and breaking tackles for others even though no scores himself and obviously Rock scored two beauty's.

So a team spread of scores which was good, a lot of the misses and goal chances not taken particularity in the first half were not so good. We won the midfield easliy enough and had a stong wind and plenty of chances yet still managed to go in level.

It was Tyrones lack of ambition and Stephen O'Neill that kept us in it late on. With teams level they were only sending 2 or 3 over half way line, everyone else standing back. Plenty of times when 25 players were inside their 40. Wouldn't have worked so well if the wind hadn't been so strong making longer attempts very difficult.

We coped well enough at the back, but again man for man just looks so open and risky these days. Plenty of times one hop of the ball or missed catch away from putting Tyrone through on goal.

All in all a good day and I'd imagine both sides delighted to have an extra serious game before the championship starts, especially Tyrone who should find it helpful in Ballbofey. Although I'd expect a much different game that day.