Listen to this Off The Ball podcast if you haven't already, it will tell you exactly what is going on in football today and the whole mindset of teams wanting to knock Dublin off their perch. It says Kerry were certainly the instigators down in Tralee and maybe this is the only way to go, worrying times for the game as a spectacle.

Billy Joe Padden and Mikey Quirke do the talking

http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Off_The_Ball/GAA_on_Off_The_Ball/184834/Time_to_stick_it_to_the_Dubs

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8589 - 28/03/2017 02:31:30    1972110

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 28/03/2017 09:16:16    1972139

Indeed Damo, and I remember Jim McGuinness saying that he was sick of Donegal taking hidings and that was his reason for inventing the Donegal 'style'. There was no cute hoorism from Quirke in fairness, only good honest opinions.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8589 - 28/03/2017 10:08:58    1972156

Very good point, counties are reacting to how to find a method to beat Dublin as opposed to evolving from within to find their own footballing philosophy. It just leaves county without any footballing identity and it looks like some teams arent enjoying playing football.

Your wonder about the mental effect of not getting over the line as well, it seems that a set up and game plan to beat Dublin is drawn up months in advance and players prepared according, take Kerry and Mayo last year, in the business end of the championship to be beaten in the end after all that work is surely a big and painful blow.

All good things end, but what will stand out from this era is how teams changed their identities and philosophy's, to crack the Dublin way.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 28/03/2017 10:15:43    1972160

In fairness to Kerry I think we have always managed to rattle this Dublin side. Cluxton has frequently had a bit of a melt down against us, a la last August and again Saturday week ago. We seem to be able to counter act the Dub's kick out strategy and your a long way towards putting yourself in a position to win by doing that.

The problem for us seems to be we lack that bit of fitness and maybe a little bit of skill to close out games when we get into a winning position, again last August and last Saturday week seemed to prove this.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 28/03/2017 10:39:30    1972167

I would say teams aren't enjoying getting hammered more than anything. I can't speak for other counties but I don't think we've ever given up an identity just for the Dubs, we changed under Jim to become a winning county, to win Ulsters and the All-Ireland and no Donegal person will tell you that they miss getting beat out the gate by Armagh.

We've always been a running, hand-passing team. All that changed was we got defensively solid. That had nothing to do with the Dubs.

But anyway, take it as a compliment. You have a wonderful squad and some of the best footballers I've ever seen play the game.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 28/03/2017 10:42:45    1972172

Hermit, not being funny but ye come close, but ye never actually beat us. So, ye're strategy is not working. I wouldn't fear Kerry. I respect them, how could you not, but I wouldn't fear them atall. The team i fear, as in the team I would be most nervous about playing this summer, is Tyrone.

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 28/03/2017 11:52:23    1972197

duckula20 (Antrim) - Posts: 175 - 28/03/2017 12:13:19    1972200

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 28/03/2017 12:17:14    1972202

Yeah the Saviours and Angels would never resort to dirty tactics. Oh no not at all

link

KYTotalFootball (Kerry) - Posts: 280 - 28/03/2017 12:34:34    1972214

westkerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1250 - 28/03/2017 12:34:36    1972215

@duckula20 Your completely right and that was my point really, no doubt Dublin from 11 to 16 evolved and probably the biggest learning curves and evolution came with defeats in 12 and 14, i think they continue to evolve really, their are many aspects to the approach from expansive football to dogged systemic football. So the change comes from within in response to defeats rather to set up or change identity to meet the standard of another team. Of course the run will end, every team has a life cycle and there is fatigue creeping in generally with Dublins success nationwide.

When i read this thread i immediately thought of opponents though. The best and most enjoyable games i have been at have been the Kerry semi final on 2013, were Kerry were brilliant and played beautiful football (best game of football i was ever at) and the Mayo Semi finals in 15 who again played expansive and creative football. I felt something on both of those days that Dublin could have very easily been beaten and if we were we were we could have no complaints for the quality of the football that was played and the talent on show by both Kerry and Mayo.

Now since those games by both counties they have changed their philosophy's maybe arguably to beat Dublin or at least an aspect of the change might be. You cant really say that is wrong because both have gotten closer in terms of scores since those games. However in all those games since those two fixtures, i never once feard before or during those games given the set ups and approaches that Dublin would be beaten, the way i did in 2013 and 2015. My own opinion is that those counties are further away because of those changes and you couldnt really argue that at times both have seemed a little bit lost, in terms of identity and philosophy and i suppose certainly in Mayo case regressed in silverware.

Im not knocking here, but genuinely fascinated by the changes in philosophy and identity the benefits and the actual cost. I will admit im biased though like we all are and i don't watch those counties beyond highlights and the odd Tv game, the way fans of those counties would every week.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 28/03/2017 12:44:13    1972219

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 28/03/2017 12:47:43    1972223

Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 28/03/2017 13:01:50    1972226

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 28/03/2017 13:05:56    1972227

A lot is made of the Donegal approach in the 2011 Semi but for me that game catapulted this Dublin team to where they are. A real struggle, 0-8 to 0-6. That day Dublin adapted on their feet and have been doing so in many games since. Prior to that, those were games Dublin were losing.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 28/03/2017 13:39:36    1972239

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 28/03/2017 13:39:50    1972240

By no means is any of the below easy or an exhaustive list but in order to beat the Dubs you must

- have 20 players (at least) in absolute peak condition. No room for passengers if you want to match the fitness and athleticism of Dublin. I think most Division 1 teams should be able for this.

- disrupt, disrupt and disrupt Cluxton's kickouts whenever possible. I'd go so far as to arrange for some of your own ball boys to be stationed behind his goal. Tell them not be so hasty throwing balls into him!

- Man mark Cian O'Sullivan. Stop him by fair means or foul from performing his sweeper role.

- Get ahead by maximising goal chances. We almost did them in the league by scoring 2 quick fire goals before HT. Then defend like bejesus, forcing them to shoot from improbable distances and angles. Sow seeds of doubt.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9133 - 28/03/2017 13:42:28    1972242

People talk as if Dublin will just play the way they play and it is up to other teams to change the way they play in coming up with a strategy to beat them. But what is worth mentioning is that Dublin also tailor their approach against teams and devise their own strategy to win, its not just a case of them turning up and going through the motions. As an example, it was obvious that the McHughs were pinpointed when Donegal played them last year and legal or not, it was a smart tactic given how influential they had been in previous matches.

So you can come up with whatever strategy you like but remember that Dublin will have their own strategy.

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1422 - 28/03/2017 14:00:09    1972254

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 28/03/2017 14:02:02    1972257