(Oldest Posts First)
I sat in the stand for the Donegal v Dublin Quarter Final and had a great conversation with a Dub beside me prior to the game who categorically denied that Dublin now or have ever used a blanket defence. In comparision to Donegal he might be sort of right but they certainly have used an element of it since 2014. Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 26/08/2016 21:36:01 1906499 Link 3 |
The blanket defence is a stupid clichéd phrase. If it means any defensive system other than the tradition 6 backs then we will see a blanket defence, the top teams don't really play Gaelic football in the traditional way anymore of man to man marking. Mainly because it's stupid and exploitable. Dublin will have an attacking approach as they have always had since even before Gavin took over. They won't leave themselves open to counter attacks though as again that'd be a stupid thing to do. Hard to know how Kerry will play as Fitzmaurice is a fairly pragmatic coach. I can't see them opting for a shoot out, I think they'd know they'd lose that. Will be interesting to see how they set up and how it works. They'll have to come up with something to beat the Dubs. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4172 - 26/08/2016 23:30:26 1906549 Link 0 |
Dublin have played a blanket against Donegal and Tyrone ever since 2014 when Donegal's swift counter attacks completely opened Dublin up. Gavin learned a lesson that day and started deploying a sweeper in certain games since. I believe that if Kerry pull 14 into their own 45 then Dublin will likely pull men back also to cover off the counter attack charge. I hope they setup man to man but Kerry have been much more cautious in recent years so I would be surprised if they don't play a sweeper. I wonder will Donaghy stay out around the halfway or will they move him in. Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4698 - 26/08/2016 23:49:46 1906554 Link 0 |