In my opinion, the biggest difference in Dublin and the rest is physical. It's not that they are more skillful than the other top sides, or that they are mentally or tactically better prepared - it is simply because they are faster, fitter and more powerful, and with those advantages comes space in which to play. Quite a few Dublin players have made huge improvements in the last couple of years, and I think it is down to them becoming more explosive. I know that all top intercounty sides prepare well, but Dublin seem to be producing stronger, faster athletes than everyone else.

Guys like Andrews, McManamon and O'Gara and even Flynn are in no way special when it comes to raw skills, but they have all become much faster and bigger in the last 2-3 years, and that is why they are able to power past opponents and, more often than not, kick scores under little pressure.

Until someone is able to match them in terms of power and speed, Dublin will continue to blitz opponents. Based on their highly impressive 15 minute spell after half-time against Cork, the only side tht might be able to do this is Mayo. Having said that, I don't really believe that they wil be able to hold the Dubs over 70 minutes.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 12/08/2014 10:01:49    1635406

royaldunne
County: Meath
Posts: 6265

1635401
Totally disagree flaker I seen Tyrone and Kerry of those times and they not a patch on this Dublin team.


That's your opinion, my point is that those 2 teams could have beaten this Dublin team on certain days. Dublin are miles ahead of the competition, not their fault I am simply stating IMO they aren't the greatest team I have seen.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7907 - 12/08/2014 10:09:02    1635410

at the moment yes but have the potential to back up all the hype..its up to the other 3 left to catch them..and while anything is possible on the day, I dont think anyone can stop them this year unless dublin implode and mayo kerry or donegal have a flawless day..again that is highly unlikely..id tip mayo to be in the best position tyo maybe catch the dubs..only because of thier experience and the battles they have had with dublin in recent times

ctownbigguy (Mayo) - Posts: 16 - 12/08/2014 10:09:15    1635411

Royaldunne
Are you off your head kid? This Dublin team are good but they aren't a patch on the Kerry teams of the 80s or noughties ,question for you would the Meath teams of the 80s and 90s have beaten them????

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 12/08/2014 10:20:45    1635417

RoyalDunne: To compare some team that has won a couple of all Ireland's in last 16 years to a team that contested 6 titles in a row and won four of them (including the elusive back to back) is bloody stupidity. Never mind ludicrous statements about the greatest players to ever grace the field Sheehy, O'Keefe,Egan, Splianne, Moran, O'Se's not being able to get ion the current Dublin side. How in god's name can people get so carried away about a side just because they are the current All Ireland champions. The way people on here go on, you would swear they would be convinced that they would hockey Micko's Kerry by 15 points and Jack's lads by 20! Its a joke, let them contest 6 or 7 finals, lets see if they can win another All Ireland or two then, maybe, you can debate if they were near Kerry 04-09 standard or even Tyrone's.

They are the best team in the country at the minute and they play good football and have a forward line that can beat almost anyone, almost. People rave about them destroying also rans like Meath and Monaghan (no offence but lets call a spade a spade) yet we annihilate Cork as impressively, a Division 1 side and one of top teams in country, and its quickly forgotten. I can't see them winning the All Ireland, in fact I can't see them reaching the final, although I hope they do because if its Kerry they are facing there will be only one outcome; manic hunger and the lust for vengeance will drive us to shoot them down.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 12/08/2014 10:23:35    1635419

it will be interesting however to see how dublin react if donegal manage to frustrate them..will they get wreckless? they are used to blitzing teams with ease but if that doesnt happen straight away and even up to the hour mark will they keep their heads and grind it out..they havent had to do that yet so anything is possible...i know its a long shot but as awesome as the dubs are to watch, it would be great to see a job been done on them..even if it is ulster puke

ctownbigguy (Mayo) - Posts: 16 - 12/08/2014 10:28:37    1635421

Cant see any Dubs overrating them!

That is something the country folk do just so they can knock them!.....but of course you all know that right well!

Same old stuff all the time!.....YAWN!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 12/08/2014 10:40:26    1635427

Are they overrated? No!
Are they a truly special team? Yes!
Will they get better? Considering the never ending conveyor belt...probably.

breakingball22 (Louth) - Posts: 419 - 12/08/2014 10:56:42    1635444

snuffy perhaps you should re-read some comments from your dub buddies , not just coming from "country folk"

theshamen (Mayo) - Posts: 129 - 12/08/2014 11:20:02    1635459

TheHermit
County: Kerry
Posts: 92

in fact I can't see them reaching the final, although I hope they do because if its Kerry they are facing there will be only one outcome; manic hunger and the lust for vengeance will drive us to shoot them down.

I think it's a bulls**t thread (started by a Kerryman ) this one caught my eye. I'd also love to see this AI Final. Kerrys lust for vengeance v's Dublins drive to win a back to back AI, so they could be then considered a "great" team. I agree there'd be only one outcome but disagree on who it'd be. Bit of ball to be played first though.

A

Aido69 (Dublin) - Posts: 381 - 12/08/2014 11:28:51    1635465

breakingball22
County: Louth

They are not a special team yet...until they win back to back or multiple all irelands they cannot be called special.
They are at the top of the tree now but mayo kerry and donegal are waiting with a chainsaw!!
Kerry, Tyrone in the 80's and 00's now they were special teams

ctownbigguy (Mayo) - Posts: 16 - 12/08/2014 11:36:56    1635472

Never mind the greatest GAA side , probably the greatest sports team of all time. Mayo , Kerry or Donegal together wouldn't come close . Also the most unassuming folk of all time - well done Dublin !

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 12/08/2014 11:51:07    1635481

The Kerry and Tyrone teams of the 00's were great sides up there with the great teams of any era but they also needed the back door to get them into all Ireland finals unlike the Kerry and Dublin team of the 70's and the Dublin team of today.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 12/08/2014 11:54:54    1635485

The likes of Royaldunne is only coming out with this raiméis about the Dubs being unbeatable to try and shy away from the fact that Meath are awful.

It's easier to explain away Meath's total failings by saying that Dublin are the best ever etc.

There are 4 good teams left, any of which can beat anyone else. Simple as that.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13718 - 12/08/2014 11:55:20    1635486

I wonder is it possible to answer this question honestly without being accused of hyping up the Dubs!

In my time following football, I havent seen the level of intensity and power on display by Dublin, this year and consistently over a period of several games. The Tyrones and Kerrys of the last decade were amazing to watch, but did not have the same consistency. Dublin are winning leagues, provincials and all their matches in the championship so far have been won at a canter. Tyrone won 2 of their all irelands using the back door. So did Kerry. These are not minor details, they are painting the picture of where the dublin team are at.

I am sure people from all over will come on and say they have to prove themselves over a longer period of time, and that is fair enough, but they have been doing it over 4 years now. In 2012, they had their bad year, and yet were within a squeak of catching Mayo on the line despite this. Other than that one game, they have cleaned up, beating kerry twice, actually beating everyone when you think about it..

So them theres the facts, and working backwards from them, I see a long successful road ahead of dublin football. It is grim for the field. It is grim for the supporters, even the dublin supporters are eventually going to get bored with it, and either leave games early or not bother turn up in the first place.

The only hope that Dublin will be stopped this year, is if for some reason, all of a sudden they cant run, they cant score and they cant organize themselves with kick outs and their bench becomes weak. Cant see this happening any time soon.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 12/08/2014 11:57:12    1635488

Ah would you go away with Spillane and ose neither would get on this current Dublin bench never mind start. Look if Kerry are deluded enough to think that they could do any better this year than Meath or Monaghan then by all means , unfortunately I can't see you meeting them to prove my theory but maybe next year.
Honestly kingdom boy. It pains me to say this but no I don't think either 80s or 90s Meath would beat them with both full flight, maybe 96 could have been close or the team of 88 replay. But simple answer. No.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 12/08/2014 12:06:01    1635493

No Dublin are not over rated as much as i hate to admit it. There have been other teams talked about that are definitely over rated but this Dublin team are worthy of the praise they are receiving in my opinion.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1352 - 12/08/2014 12:07:59    1635496

Are they overrated? It depends on what rating you give them. Personally I think they are a fantastic attacking team with great kick passing skills and support play. The support play is achievable due to their intense running, strength and conditioning. They also run the tank empty for the team in the knowledge that if they do tire, a fresh and well capable replacement is ready.
Are they better footballers 1-15 than other All Ireland winner, I don't think so. Like a lot of the current top teams, some of these lads are good players with great conditioning with some great players with great conditioning. Imagine what the Kerry team of the 00's would have been like if they had the conditioning of this current Dublin team.
I say fair play to Dublin for their development over the past few years but the worrying thing is that the gap between them and the rest of the pack still seems to be widening and with the success Dublin are having at underage they will certainly find 2 or 3 players every year to advance to senior panel level which will mean that Dublin won't be off the top for a very long time.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 12/08/2014 12:10:20    1635498

@ Ctownbigguy

They have won two all-Irelands in three years?

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 12/08/2014 12:12:33    1635499

Can this dublin team reach 6 all irelands in a row? If there considered a great team now after 2 all irelands wouldnt that make kerry streets ahead of them when winning 4 in 6 years?.dublin will fall this year and I cant wait because its all hype thats all.there good but there not great.we will see

colm860 (Kerry) - Posts: 75 - 12/08/2014 12:15:03    1635501