http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/dublin-boss-jim-gavin-drafts-in-renowned-basketball-coach-to-help-beat-blanket-defences-31110249.html


Dublin manager Jim Gavin has drafted in basketball coach Mark Ingle in an attempt to break down blanket defences.

Dublin were defeated in last year's All-Ireland semi-final by Donegal last year after their failure to deal with the Ulster champion's packed rearguard.

There were boos among the crowd on Saturday evening at Croke Park as the Dubs suffered similar difficulties in their turgid 0-8 to 0-4 victory over a dogged Derry side and drew with Tyrone earlier in the league campaign in similar circumstances.

Last weekend's struggle left many questioning whether the boys in blue can deal with a negative approach from their opponents and according to a report in today's Irish Sun, the Dubs have recruited one of Ireland's most well-known coaches to help them with the issue.

Dublin players are believed to have engaged in basketball games to better understand how offensive and defensive gameplans work through the use of screening and zonal defence.

The drills also included movements and strategies to get the ball to a team's most dangerous player and making attacking players race back and engage in a defensive approach.

Ingle has worked with the extremely successful DCU Mercy outfit in recent years and is one of the most recognisable faces in Irish basketball circles.

Speaking after last week's game with Derry, Jim Gavin said: "It's just a challenge for us.

"Whatever way a team plays against us, whether it's man-to-man or that blanket defence, it's a case of trying to work our way through it. And that would be the most satisfying team."

Dublin face Monaghan in Clones this weekend needing a positive result to make the National League semi-finals.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 01/04/2015 13:09:13    1709411

April 1st no?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 01/04/2015 13:34:22    1709422

if it's true the anti-handpassing brigade will be having palpitations

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 01/04/2015 13:37:50    1709425

;)

That's what I was thinking...

Is this true lads?

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 01/04/2015 13:38:10    1709426

Is Jimbo the new ballboy?

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 01/04/2015 13:47:52    1709439

never heard such crap , everyone knows we are working with a 60 year old former East German Pole valut coach called Igor Getover , high hopes for Dubs next time we meet the blanket

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 01/04/2015 13:59:35    1709444

We have enlisted the help of Ivan Nadancoff from the Royal Moscow Ballet to help us dance around the blanket D!

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 01/04/2015 14:06:03    1709453

I would imagine this is nothing more than an April Fools joke!

CroiGorm (Dublin) - Posts: 1547 - 01/04/2015 14:06:36    1709455

brendtheredhand
County: Tyrone
Posts: 10095

1709439
Is Jimbo the new ballboy?

____

Hardly man...

I put it up for that very reason ha-ha...

Heard it on Newstalk this morning

Not sure of the DJ's name but he was talking about this story.. and Ivan Yates was like.. ehhm is is not April's fools today hahaha...

They weren't sure if it was true or not... it's very well put together in fairness

:)

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 01/04/2015 14:12:34    1709458

And Jimbo, not entirely that unbelievable given the current levels of hysteria surrounding our games at the moment!

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 01/04/2015 14:26:05    1709465

brendtheredhand
County: Tyrone
Posts: 10096

1709465
And Jimbo, not entirely that unbelievable given the current levels of hysteria surrounding our games at the moment!
________

Yeah man exactly

It's smart!

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 01/04/2015 14:30:58    1709470

Sure i also saw on twitter tht Ian Madigan has been released to play for Crokes ffs!!

Jackeen (Dublin) - Posts: 4097 - 01/04/2015 15:04:16    1709485

ian madigan does play for crokes b team

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 01/04/2015 16:33:04    1709532

Cluxton from downtown!

Nothing but net! Swish!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 01/04/2015 17:08:52    1709542

Jimbo you know what day it is? Hook and sinker

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 01/04/2015 19:07:11    1709590

does he?

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 01/04/2015 19:19:06    1709598

Next thing is we'll see the Harlem Globtrotters hopping about in AIG jersies in front of the Hill with all the scobes wondering how the players got such good sun tans....

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 01/04/2015 20:07:36    1709624

wasnt an april fool. they were talking about it on Today FM over lunch time!!!
Jesus Wept........
how can a basketball coach teach a footballer anything..........

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 02/04/2015 15:06:10    1709858

yew_tree
County: Mayo
Posts: 6336

1709590
Jimbo you know what day it is? Hook and sinker

Are you scarlet?

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 02/04/2015 16:01:23    1709883

Ha... It's true

They sure picked the right day for it to break!

Ivan Yates thought it was an April fool joke yesterday...

Gas

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 02/04/2015 21:09:47    1710014