Brolly questions Dubs' Sam credentials
May 01, 2013
Joe Brolly back in his playing days for Derry
Despite winning a first Division 1 league title in 20 years against Tyrone last Sunday, the Derry All-Ireland winner remains to be convinced about Jim Gavin's new look team.
"There's a big question mark over the Dubs, and I thought you could feel it on Sunday... I mean, Tyrone are no mean team, but they're very, very defensive and they're not good at getting scores, so you would have expected the Dubs to win by more, if they were really where they needed to be. And they didn't do that," Brolly explained to the Irish Independent.
"Also, I felt that a lack of confidence started to spread through the team as the game went on. (Bernard) Brogan was taken off. Dean Rock's two points came out of the blue at a time when it really looked as though Tyrone were more solid, more composed.
"So, the big question is: Are the Dubs going to be able to stay the distance?
"They certainly looked, to me, like a team that are well capable of wilting under severe pressure."
Brolly doesn't believe that the league champions possess the same never-say-die attitude of All-Ireland champions Donegal and also pinpointed the midfield as a chink in their armour.
"As the game wore on against Tyrone - you could see (Dublin) starting to accept that 'this is just the way it's going to be.'
"Donegal never do that. You'll see them - Donegal - keep busting through.
"They'll keep creating opportunities.
"You'll never see them for a moment flagging or wilting, even when things are against them. And I just didn't get that feel about that Dublin team, I've got to say, particularly their forwards.
"Gavin is doing the right thing. He is increasing his versatility, he is introducing very good forwards, particularly Mannion. The pace of the team is incredible now.
"He has gone for pace all over the team, even at midfield. But I think that the current Dublin midfield would most definitely struggle against Donegal, for example, with Neil Gallagher or Aidan Walsh, players like that." Tweet
