We should have won by a cricket score. 7 one-on-ones with the keeper and only 2 converted. Monaghan backs were all over the place. Dublin's blanket defence and lighenting counter attacking strategy worked well. Thought our midfield was poor, McConnell in particular. I was cringing at him taking that free in the second half, clearly no confidence there. Still think we are vunerable and we need Keaney and Alan Brogan back. Great work rate though and fair play to the lads for another great effort. A lot of people were slagging the Dubs off for getting out of bed at 6am each morning for a training session. That seems to have paid off now.

Up the Dubs!

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4749 - 15/03/2010 10:34:53    588150

Two poor teams I thought on the night. We kicked some really stupid wides, as usual, and the Dubs could have had a few goals. Monaghan have to be the most infuriating team to watch, the amount of times we break up the field and then go and lose possession is unreal. Stephen Gollagy seemed to be the only player on the field who realised that you now have to fist pass the ball. The Dubs got done numerous times for this. The GAA need to do away with that rule, it really is stupid. We had them on the ropes but couldn't pull away. Dublin's defence was excellent. Seems they have now copied the northern way of playing and it seems to suit them. Great atmosphere and getting in and out of the ground was hassle free, although living a 10min walk from the ground does help I guess!!!!

Adler (Monaghan) - Posts: 754 - 15/03/2010 11:32:16    588233

I haven't really been watching any of Dublin's games so far in the league but they really have had a very good start to the year. I think they usually don't concentrate too much on the league (correct me if i'm wrong here chaps) and I know they were battling relegation last year until the last match or so.
I'd say the big difference is the new blood that Gilroy has brought in. For years the Dublin team had pretty much the same 14 or 15 as the previous year, with the odd exception of a Diarmuid Connolly or Ger Brennan thrown in. This year he has open the door to a lot of players who haven't let the side down, can only be good as it will result in the more established players realising that their places aren't guaranteed anymore.

Andy (Laois) - Posts: 371 - 15/03/2010 11:48:34    588266

Agree with you Adler. Couldn't understand Monaghan persistsing with the high ball in when it wasn't working. Although the blanket defence and high Dublin work rate meant that Monaghan were forced to play hand passes around the halfway/50. The hand pass rule is ridiculous. How can the ref blow it up when the player has made the pass with his back to him? Just crazy!!

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4749 - 15/03/2010 11:59:23    588287

andy you talk about the new blood coming in and i do agree with you , from what ive seen so far this year , them lads know after last years humiliation that places are up for grabs , because getting a pasting once (tyrone in 08) is bad enough with the players we had , but for that to happen twice in a row (kerry 09) , it really showed that the players we have simply arent capable and a total rethink and reshuffle was needed , after 2008 the players knew that they where still certaintys to be in the 15 the next year , this year thats different , only 2 or 3 lads are absolutely guranteed of their place in the dublin 15 this summer , we have some very good lads there coming through , the options we will have is only going to be a good thing , it keeps the more seasoned lads on their toes

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13659 - 15/03/2010 12:16:27    588314

Haven't seen it in any reports in the papers but does anyone know how bad Paul Griffins injury was.
Looked in considerable pain when he was stretchered off

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he will be okay i should think

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13659 - 15/03/2010 12:18:54    588322

can anybody give clarification on the handpass rule? does the entire "passing action" have to be conducted using a closed fist, or can the player close his fist just before impact?..i can see that causing problems for refs/players because if the ref sees a player from behind/or from the side and the start of the pass is open handed he may just blow on assumption, whether the player then closed his fist or not...i dont know if i put that correctly, but anyway.

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 15/03/2010 12:23:13    588329

Why did the ref give a throw up against the goalkeepers?? One against Duffy in 1st half and one against Cluxton in 2nd. Neither keeper was taking a long time to take the kicks and the players they gave the ball to were well outside the ''D''. What was that all about??

Adler (Monaghan) - Posts: 754 - 15/03/2010 13:41:21    588439

Why did the ref give a throw up against the goalkeepers?? One against Duffy in 1st half and one against Cluxton in 2nd. Neither keeper was taking a long time to take the kicks and the players they gave the ball to were well outside the ''D''. What was that all about??

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i didnt notice why at the time , but i watched a replay of the game on setanta yesterday and the commentator said the ball was moving on both occasions ? i dont recall the ball moving , though i was behind the goal so missed the one awarded against monaghan in the first half as i simple couldnt see if the ball was moving from my viewpoint , and i dont recall seeing any kickouts in the second half where the ball was moving ?

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13659 - 15/03/2010 14:14:45    588481

Don't remember the Duffy one but the Cluxton one was definitely a case of the ball moving
Irish times saying Deegan had a very good game but I thought he was way too strict on the hand passing rule and made some very fussy calls instead of letting the game flow

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 15/03/2010 17:11:24    588774

i agree NavyNBlue but rules are rules

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13659 - 15/03/2010 17:35:43    588825

Compare that game to the Galway vs Kerry game, tons of open handed fist passes. Saw one Kerry player throw the ball that sent Joe Kernan mental in the second half yesterday
Can't see that rule sticking. Too much inconsistency in its implementation

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 15/03/2010 17:49:03    588850

I don't understand why the hand pass rule was experimented with, i cant see the logic behind it, i'ts totally negative there is no reason for it at all. Maybe i'm wrong but i'd like anyone to point out a good reason for it.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 15/03/2010 18:29:33    588917

lads the handpass rule was always there it was just never enforced now the gaa have brought it back in or are now sticking to the rules so no point in moaning about it now

delboydub (Dublin) - Posts: 665 - 15/03/2010 21:19:52    589208