In 2013 , I set up a thread asking the question ' how does a side beat the Dubs '? I got slated by many Dublin fans for trolling . I was proved right because they were not beaten . I didn't set the thread up last year because it's difficult to win back to back .

Okay , this year , yet again I think they could be unbeatable . Can it happen : off course it can but being realistic can anyone beat them? James Horan ( newstalk ) and Jim McGuinness ( Times) both could not praise the Dubs high enough . These are two excellent GAA people who don't spoof for the sake of it. Horan basically said that he never saw anything like them .

Obviously people will say ' Kerry, , Mayo and Donegal ' are the best equipped but one would feel Dublin have learned their lessons from 2014 and won't get caught again. Their six forwards are insanely good and as Horan stated ' Kilkenny is like a new signing ' . McGuinness claims that their defensive aspect is superb .
Folks - they're 10/11 for a reason to lift Sam . No other team would annilalate Kildare like that .

Realistically : will they be beaten ?

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 30/06/2015 11:43:03    1745267

Oh ffs here we go again. As evidenced last year yes dublin, like every other team are beatable.

Jackeen (Dublin) - Posts: 4097 - 30/06/2015 12:04:24    1745295

Jaysus...

It's a very simple answer

Yes.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20598 - 30/06/2015 12:07:15    1745299

No

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 30/06/2015 12:10:56    1745304

Im not sure your made of the right stuff RightStuff.Simple answer is YES.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 30/06/2015 12:12:24    1745308

Yes. I read McGuinness' piece, very complimentary alright. But I can guarantee that he is trying to devise a plan to beat them, he just seems the type of character that loves that kind of thing. Fitzmaurice down in Kerry will be doing the exact same thing. People are also forgetting that Kildare must have hit 8 easy wides in the first half against Dublin, non of the top teams would be so wasteful and that would put massive pressure on Dublin should they give another opponent those opportunities.

Every team is beatable.

bobby_shane (Dublin) - Posts: 106 - 30/06/2015 12:14:12    1745315

Not a chance they will be beaten. Far too strong from 1 to 15 and no system can or will deny them. Might as well present Sam to them on the 12 of July.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 30/06/2015 12:17:21    1745319

Kerry and Donegal would seem best suited at present with memories of Mayo 2012 and first 20 mins of 2013 against Dublin also capable. The answer is yes because the teams they are playing at the moment are so week it can not be helping Dublin to formulate and tweek the team. Donegal for instance were average against Derry but once again they edge their second close match of the championship.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 30/06/2015 12:18:50    1745322

Not this year. Kerry could beat them in a final but I think they are to meet in the Semi

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 30/06/2015 12:20:25    1745324

Yes they are beatable. Dublins biggest problem is the fact they are in Leinster which at present isn't the greatest of preparation for the business end of the season. I believe that if that Dublin team were playing in the Ulster Championship over the last 5 years say they could be sitting with 5 AI titles as they would be battle hardened on top of the players they have at their disposal.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 30/06/2015 12:24:13    1745327

Yes

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 30/06/2015 12:25:29    1745329

I watched a Dublin team on Sunday that are relentless, physically fit and with bags of skill. They are a fantastic team but on any day a team can be beaten. I do think the odds on Dublin winning the All Ireland are correct and they probably will win it but if they had a man sent off or conceded a few goals against a top team then it could be interesting.

If Dublin are to be beat then it could be in the quarters if they come up against a good team!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 30/06/2015 12:29:50    1745335

No the draw for this year semi are Ulster v Munster and Leinster v Connaught, it's set up for a Kerry v Dublin final unless Donegal/Monaghan can dethrone the Kingdom

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 30/06/2015 12:30:59    1745338

theoretically Yes

realistically No

KYTitletown (Kerry) - Posts: 816 - 30/06/2015 12:31:01    1745339

I can't see them being bet this year. Possibly Kerry.

The ONLY reason they were beaten last year was because of complacency. If Dermo Connolly had of scored his goal chance against Doengal in the first half they could have won by 10+.

I would like to see them winning simply because they are the best ever team I have seen play.

The football, positivity and fitness are a joy to behold. It's up to all of the other counties to close that gap.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 30/06/2015 12:38:40    1745341

FFS, what have Dublin done? Beaten a Division 4 team and a Division 2 side that's been in free fall for the past 2 seasons.

Kerry beat a team of Tipperary's standards by 6 points pulling up, Donegal annihilated another Division 3 side, Armagh. Put anyone of Kerry, Donegal and Mayo in that current excuse of a provincial championship and see if the results will be any different.

I have never witnessed two more inept, pathetic, timid, cowardly and frankly disgraceful displays by teams meant to be representing their county as I have seen by Longford and Kildare (in person) this summer.

And I have a question for the Longford and Kildare GAA supporters on here, are you not outraged by their performances on the day in question. Those teams and their management had made up their mind that they were beaten long before they walked out onto the pitch. You can hide behind all the excuses you want about population sizes, more clubs, more sponsorship money etc etc. At the end of the day, its 15 men against 15. At the end of the day its an amateur game and a bit of passion, pride aggression and common sense tactics still go along way.

Ever county has access to the same sports science techniques, training methods, nutritional information. If I was a Kildare supporter I would be demanding Sunday be the catalyst for a wide-ranging root and branch review of the state of football in Kildare and calling for Ryan's head. Its an insult to that county.

For ten years Dublin have looked unstoppable in Leinster, they have the easiest ride into the All Ireland series and yet they have won only 2 All Ireland's, both narrowly.

I mean if you look at the Championship record of Dublin under Gavin is it really anymore impressive than Kerry's or Donegal's in last two years.

They narrowly beat a Cork side that's in disarray these past 2 years and a Kerry side that was in its first year of redevelopment under Fitzmaurice in 2013. They followed that up with a very poor display in the final, (I always laugh when people go on about last year's final, can they not remember how bad the 2013 one was) in which they were crying out to be taken apart, only Mayo didn't have the belief to finish them off.

For God sake they were down to effectively 12 players for the last 5 minutes and Mayo still couldn't do the job!!

As for last year, they played a Monaghan side which has a terrible record and mental issues playing in Croke Park before being humiliated by the first serious opposition they came up with all year.

Unbeatable my arse!!!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 30/06/2015 12:43:03    1745345

I pity Westmeath first and foremost having to play them in a Leinster Final. We all know how good Dublin are on finals day be it a league final , Leinster Final or All-Ireland final. They thrive on those occasions.

I'll keep it simple if Dublin reach the AI Final they wont be beaten. I feel they have what it takes this year to win Sam but will get a lil tougher after the WH game.

They look un-touchable at times.It was like Kilkenny years ago other teams have to step up to match them. Dublin style of football is joyful to watch. They make it look so easy at times you often wonder is there another team on the pitch because there is so much space for them to play in.

Plus they have 15 forwards. Stephen Cluxton may as well play outfield and just come back to take short kick outs!!!

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 30/06/2015 12:51:54    1745352

If they believe Yes, then No.
If they believe No, then Yes.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1055 - 30/06/2015 12:52:04    1745353

Dublin will be hard to beat but if they keep hammering weak teams and then meet a strong team it could be dangerous.
There is also the possibility of a wet and windy day!
But in the end they do deserve favouritism.

BIG SACKS (Tyrone) - Posts: 1681 - 30/06/2015 12:52:33    1745354

D'unbeatables playing every game on their home ground, and with all the advantages and resources they have, won't be beaten this year. They are like a professional outfit playing in an amateur league, totally invincible.

bryanadams (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 30/06/2015 12:54:09    1745358