Damothedub
County: Dublin
Posts: 660

Now that we've played games have Cork done anything to change my mind , well no , can they be hot yes , can they be cold freezing more like it

That is fair analysis. I accept that. Dublin hammered Westmeath and Kildare (both Division 1 teams next year) and obviously expectation rises and they become favourites for the All-Ireland. Though the performance against Meath did not reach the same highs, they still won by seven points and when you add a league title (which included a win against us).

Cork ya we have been hot and cold. Our best performance was against Tyrone away in the league. We were up against it that day as most likely failure to win would have put us is in real relegation trouble. We played very well against Limerick in the championship (Limerick who had done well in the league and played well in the championship last year) and it is pleasing that despite playing very poorly against both Galway and Kerry we did show glimpses that we can win matches when the real pressure is put on (obviously we did not beat Kerry but had the game gone on a few more minutes we may have- a bit silly saying this I realize).

To me, while performances have been hot and cold, we do have an ability and an experience to handle pressure. Croke Park is not going to faze us.

Also, I saw a comment that Cork are an ageing team. Technically all teams are ageing. It needs to be pointed out we had more under 21s starting the last day than over 30s in outfield positions. Most of our players like Goulding, Kerrigan, Gould, Cadogan, Shields, Mark Collins, Ciaran Sheehan, etc are all in their early to mid 20s. They are in their prime. I just hope we can get another All-Ireland out of them..it starts Saturday..can't wait..

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 31/07/2013 11:58:52    1448581

I like the idea that keithlemon proposed earlier in this thread in regards playing Cian O'Sullivan as a sweeper in front of the fb line and bringing bastick back into midfield. At least Bastick can compete in the air, fight for dirty ball and it gives Dublin an element of safety first with COS protecting the fb line from getting exposed the same way it was against Meath. But I don't think Jim Gavin is going to change his game plan now, although you only have to go back to the league semi against Mayo to show how effective COS was playing that sweeper role.
A lot has to be said though about the weakness of the Cork fb line too. They conceded 1-16 to both Kerry and Galway, there will be a game when Dublin take their goal chances and run up a big score on the opposition, hopefully this will be that game. Even if they don't take their goal chances, their inside forward line, if left in one on ones with Brogan and Mannion (who is in great form), Cork could be cruelly exposed.
Dublin will need to be out of sight with time to go as Cork won't get tired. They've started poorly in their last 2 but finished very strongly. If there's only a few points in it with 10 to go Cork would still be a massive threat.

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 31/07/2013 12:22:41    1448619

The majority of the 'neutrals' are saying Dublin are favourites for the Sam yet nearly all neutrals on this thread are saying Cork are going to beat us. For me unless Cork go gun ho and abandon their pathetic attempt of a blanket defence Dublin will win. Cork had goal chances the last day but so did Galway they just chose to take points instead I can't see the Dublin forwards affording such mercy.

I don't think it's a forgone conclusion that Dublin will win but it will take a massive turnaround & goals for this Cork set up to take Dublin down. I can.t see it personally and I'm not one for sitting on the fence Dublin by 5.

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 31/07/2013 12:34:42    1448636

Just one question for everyone; how have Cork become such a bad team according to a lot of people on here when going into the Donegal semi final last year they were favourites for Sam? I don't get it have they become that bad in the space of 9 months?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 31/07/2013 12:43:46    1448651

clondalkin

nobody saying they are a bad team.
what people are saying is they have not shown form all year and in judging a team you can only judge what they have done since january.
nobody is saying they cant win they are just saying they havent produced a performance so far this year that would say they will.
last year people were relying on form from the previous year hoping it would be good enough for dublin but we didnt produce the same form in 2012 as we did in 2011,it happens doesnt mean the players became bad players.
nobody knows what will happen on the night thats what makes the championship what it is,we can only base an opinion before a ball is thrown in on what has gone before us.not many people would have so monaghans performance coming against donegal so as they say anything can happen.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 31/07/2013 12:52:57    1448657

Bluewave
County: Dublin
Posts: 370

Cork had goal chances the last day but so did Galway they just chose to take points instead I can't see the Dublin forwards affording such mercy.

Maybe you are right. I do not recall them having any goal chance. That is not taking away from their performance I might add.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 31/07/2013 12:55:45    1448659

bennybunny

They were not obvious more a Galway forward riding a tackle bearing down on goal and kicking a point inside of playing a one-two with a man inside or backing himself to go all the way. Cork also seemed to struggle massively with Sean Armstrong who was playing the Ciaran Kilkenny role for Galway. However in Michael Shields Cork have one of the best backs I've ever seen what an athlete, who do you think he will pick up on Saturday ?

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 31/07/2013 13:05:59    1448679

I can't see Cork troubling Dublin.

OntheWhiteSide (Kildare) - Posts: 452 - 31/07/2013 13:53:58    1448749

31/07/2013 13:05:59
Bluewave
County: Dublin
Posts: 372

1448679
bennybunny

They were not obvious more a Galway forward riding a tackle bearing down on goal and kicking a point inside of playing a one-two with a man inside or backing himself to go all the way. Cork also seemed to struggle massively with Sean Armstrong who was playing the Ciaran Kilkenny role for Galway. However in Michael Shields Cork have one of the best backs I've ever seen what an athlete, who do you think he will pick up on Saturday ?

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I would disagree with that, but one mans salt is another mans sugar. I would hope he picks up Berno. Berno always does well when marked by Shields. Big player for me in Cork is Aidan Walsh, best midfielder in Ireland by a country mile. He ran right down the middle in the league match against us. Their danger man.

bluedubstar (Dublin) - Posts: 835 - 31/07/2013 14:01:47    1448760

bluedubstar
County: Dublin
Posts: 647

I would disagree with that, but one mans salt is another mans sugar. I would hope he picks up Berno. Berno always does well when marked by Shields. Big player for me in Cork is Aidan Walsh, best midfielder in Ireland by a country mile. He ran right down the middle in the league match against us. Their danger man.

Exactly mate if we all agreed life would be no fun. I think it is cruel to judge backs on their performances against Berno he can on his day railroad anyone. Ger Caff from Mayo is the reigning All Star FB and Berno banged 1-10 off him in Croker this year he made him look like a Junior footballer who was out on the razz the night before. Shields is a terrific footballer and unusually for a quality man marker he has pace in abundance. The Ozzies would not have taken him down under if he was ordinary.

I full heartily agree that Aidan Walsh is a danger man we must starve him of possession no doubt he will spend some time sniffing around our goal mouth under high diagonal ball.

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 31/07/2013 14:54:57    1448806

As damothedub said cork can be hot or freezing but to have any chance of beating Dublin we need to get the six upfront right and start with our best team,for me that means full forward line goulding o connor Kerrigan half forward line Kelly sheenan and o neil with quick early ball into them midfield o connor and walsh please mr counihan start with these 6 guys up front and we have every chance of winning the game walsh in midfield with strict instructions to pass not to shoot as his shooting is abymisal

monkstownrebel1 (Cork) - Posts: 353 - 31/07/2013 16:18:01    1448940

I think for me personally watching cork they play well in stages but overall they look very lazy and also they were lucky against galway,they are putting up big scores so we need to be tight at the back working close together,I feel Saturday night it will be the younger lads that will do the damage against the rebels and if we win midfield area and really run at them we should do it with a bit too spare...

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 31/07/2013 18:42:36    1449115

Dubs will win this with a bit to spair , cork will win loads of ball around d middle pass it across d pitch for ages and then lose it ,dublin will run d legs off cork backs ,cork will put in good second half but come up short ,change of managent need because cork have alot of very good players , kerry old heads and dubs young guns will b some game

matthematx (Meath) - Posts: 177 - 31/07/2013 19:10:59    1449166

Still a big performance in this Cork side man for man they match up well with Dublin and their forwards will have plenty of joy against Dublin defence that leave themselves open. Kerry will be more than ready for the winners!!

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3696 - 31/07/2013 19:20:18    1449177

31/07/2013 14:01:47
bluedubstar
County: Dublin
Posts: 652
Big player for me in Cork is Aidan Walsh, best midfielder in Ireland by a country mile. He ran right down the middle in the league match against us. Their danger man.

The most overrated midfielder in Ireland more like. knowing Cork they will they probably will play Walsh in the half forward and whenever he comes up against a good midfielder he struggles he won't have that problems v Dublin because Dublin aren't as strong in midfield as for example Donegal or Mayo.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3696 - 31/07/2013 19:25:16    1449185

With respect gaa lover walsh is a brilliant midfielder I have yet to see anyone really lord it over him, however is shooting is poor and that is been kind to him and I have a very strong feeling he will play at half forward

monkstownrebel1 (Cork) - Posts: 353 - 31/07/2013 19:45:49    1449205

I remember being in Tullamore when a great Mucklagh gael. Eugene Spain got me a ticket for the Dublin v Cork all -Ireland semi in 1989, I was so excited as this the most talked about game- the
Cork footballers had a big support back then and the dubs had as usual the media hype. I went up to Dublin took my ticket and sat down in the old cusack
Stand, right beside a concert pillar , resulting in my view for the first penalty completely obstructed.
I enjoyed every minute.
But when I went back to school in September of that year - to say you we're at a 'big' game like that was something !!! Memories
This Saturday I'll watch the game on Sky plus as we have the first round of the Championship!!

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1689 - 31/07/2013 20:57:10    1449258

Ah lads anyone see All Ireland Gold just there on the Irish channel ? Charlie- Charlie -Charlie -Charlie haha Charlie was the Darling of the hill loved him

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 31/07/2013 21:05:09    1449269

7 steps back, 3 to the right!

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5296 - 31/07/2013 21:29:52    1449301

Damn i meant left!

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5296 - 31/07/2013 21:30:15    1449302