We certainly tightened up in the second half but we gave the Laois forwards the run of the place (our backs were 6, 7 8 yards off their men) and they took avantage with some superb points in the first. Have to say Munnely still has it. Some great scores from him yesterday. In the second half we tightened up and with Jack and James getting forward, the Laois forwards were penned back more and we started picking off the scores. Still some worrying signs there for Dublin. The slow start plus another disapearing act from our midfield will give Jim something to think about.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4746 - 09/06/2014 10:44:04    1600417

Big wind factor at play yesterday

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 09/06/2014 10:50:02    1600425

Joxer
County: Dublin
Posts: 1617

1600417

We certainly tightened up in the second half but we gave the Laois forwards the run of the place (our backs were 6, 7 8 yards off their men) and they took avantage with some superb points in the first. Have to say Munnely still has it. Some great scores from him yesterday. In the second half we tightened up and with Jack and James getting forward, the Laois forwards were penned back more and we started picking off the scores. Still some worrying signs there for Dublin. The slow start plus another disapearing act from our midfield will give Jim something to think about.


It's funny Dublin don't have a midfielder in the normal sense, more like 2 half backs playing there but because of Cluxton they never had to worry about fielding, yesterday he had to go long a few times and neither of the 2 boys are good in the air. Easy saying it but if you can stop the quick kickouts you are in with a chance.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8453 - 09/06/2014 10:50:03    1600426

The Dubs looked average yesterday, 9 points from play from the subs, the Dubs have a lot to do win Sam this year!!!!
Kerry and most other teams starting 6 forwards struggle to score 9 from play. This could be the most one sided championship ever. I don't see anyone who can stop them. I must say their a joy to watch and credit to Jim Gavin to give them the platform to play like this.

Mayo on the other hand look like a class act from 1 to 9, but their forwards are terrible. I'm off to the bookies for a Cork Dublin final.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 09/06/2014 10:53:02    1600427

Regarding the incident with MDM, the ref consulted with the linesman and the linesman must have told him that despite your man holding his head that contact had been with his body! I thought ref was excellent and allowed both sides to carry the ball rather than blow up for trivial offences.

Interesting listening to Whelan on SG. He was pointing out the lack of work rate of Louth which meant they were beaten after 20 minutes. Laois on the other hand put in massive effort and allowed Dublin very little space until late on when fresh legs appeared and they possibly tired a bit.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 09/06/2014 10:53:35    1600428

Yes, Ross Munnelly has always been a class act.

Thought Donie Kinston also had a very good game until he got injured.
Gave ROS a right run around in the 1st half.

The Laois goalie running with the ball to the half way line twice was gas to see, and not a Dublin tackle on him anywhere in sight ...
Fans on the Hill were yelling - Nail him ... that will teach the upstart...!!!
Certainly raised a laugh or two... :o)

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4340 - 09/06/2014 10:59:56    1600436

About as good a performance as you'd expect from Dublin yesterday. Still early in the championship and legs are being trained for a couple of months from now. Did enough, never thought they were in actual jeopardy of losing the game even though the points from the subs at the end probably flattered us (slightly)

However - am still worried by:
Corner back(Philly McMahon, good footballer, but not good enough for August/Sept)
Centre half back (Nicky was all at sea at times yesterday - can we merge his legs & Gers brains into one footballer?)
Midfield (not good enough at fielding and some of the 'breaking ball' from kickouts was mopped up by Laois too easily)
Also ROC's lack of pace was shown up yesterday. Laois set him up nicely, drag him out and then he cant keep up on the sprint back.

Our bench was all quality forwards who would starters on most other counties first fifteen. However we only really had 2 defenders named in the subs (Brady & McCaffrey). Thats another worry.

DNS1916 (Dublin) - Posts: 64 - 09/06/2014 11:16:48    1600449

DNS1916

Midfield (not good enough at fielding and some of the 'breaking ball' from kickouts was mopped up by Laois too easily)

Interesting point there, do you reckon that could be a by-product of Cluxton's kickouts? What I mean by that is Cluxton's kickouts are so accurate and Dublin's movement so good that generally the Dublin player receiving the the ball is doing so unchallenged, maybe they're getting used to winning the ball too easily?

Anyway when you think about it, it shouldn't really be a problem because generally speaking Cluxton will find his man which provides Dublin with plenty of ball to kill off a game. Teams could commit more men forward in order to disrupt the Cluxton kickouts but they'd want to make sure they actually win the ball because if Dublin do and they're left exposed at the back then it's curtains.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 09/06/2014 11:28:50    1600464

Very proud of Laois yesterday, thought our supporters were a disgrace for not attending in any great numbers. Dublin's subs were the difference yesterday. So fustrating for us , that second goal was a killer. Dubs are excellent but as yesterday showed better teams than us will give them more to worry about!!!!

Yew tree- Both munnelly's parents are from mayo!!!

Ben (None) - Posts: 108 - 09/06/2014 11:46:48    1600484

Pretty much went as expected for me yesterdy.

Suppose Dublin where on a hiding to nothing - If they had of put in a sensational performance and won by 14 15 16 points, You'd hear everyone saying ah you cant really judge them on that, Yet if we had of won by 2 or 3 you would get people saying it was a struggle and writing us off.

In the end, It was more or less exactly how i predicted, Close for large parts of the game with the favourites starting sluggish having not had a game in 6 months, But ultimately coming on strong towards the end and getting the win.

At this time of year now, Performances are secondary and the result is the main thing. Of course there are areas that look a worry/Need improving but look, It was our first day out and we won by ten points against a team we rarely get it easy against.

Wont patronize Laois with moral victories.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 09/06/2014 12:01:00    1600495

Dublins stength on the sideline is awesome and it has to be said they needed it yesterday .Laois suprised me a little as they attacked Dublin at every opportunity in the first half . They have some lovely footballers who kicked some fine scores .Laois have recently been doing well in the qualifiers and think this year will be no different . This match will do the Dubs a world of good and I cant see Wexford troubling them at all .

galwayhero (USA) - Posts: 36 - 09/06/2014 12:05:52    1600499

Thought Ross m very unlucky not to get man of match on Sunday game. Seven points, five from play. Irish independent gave it to him - second game in a row. But very hard for the small counties to get anything on Sunday game. Was same in 05 Leinster final when Joe brolly said Ross was by far the best player on pitch, but Bryan Cullen got the award. It's only a small thing but when you're from a county like laois these things count. Maybe if we get a good run in back door he might finally get a long overdue all star.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 817 - 09/06/2014 13:01:30    1600570

Ben
County: All
Posts: 64
Yew tree- Both munnelly's parents are from mayo!!!

You know I figured with a name like that he had to have some connection. Now if only his parents and Micheal Murphy of Donegal parents had stayed in Mayo!

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11656 - 09/06/2014 13:08:21    1600583

I was surprised by how effective Laois were against Dublin in the first half, but more surprised by how much space Laois were allowed.
Not only that, but in the 2nd half Laois themselves were defensively very loose and it didn't really surprise me that Dublin took the lead.

Again It was the goal's that played a huge psychological role in ending the game as a contest, as the Laois fight started to dissipate after the 2nd goal.

Good second half display by Dublin, but I am not as convinced as some others about their credentials. They leave themselves wide open, and to date they haven't met anybody apart from Tyrone with the forwards to damage them.

Now the fact remains that they will be in the running for Sam come August, however I would not be as sure about them as others are. Likewise while I had backed Cork to have a good year, I think they too will be slayed.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 09/06/2014 13:48:53    1600657

GaryMc82

We haven't met anyone with forwards WHAT !!!! Cork in the League Semi springs to mind....

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 09/06/2014 14:21:02    1600704

Bluewave
County: Dublin
Posts: 509

How many times did Laois force Cluxton to make a save ? If anything I thought we tightened up considerably from our porous performances in the league.

Point taken Bluewave, but Laois just escaped relegation to Div 3 this year & yet they scored 0-16 & missed a number of other quite scoreable chances. If that isn't poor then I don't know what is.

I accept that Dublin will improve as the year goes on, but this aspect of their play needs sorting.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 09/06/2014 14:24:09    1600709

Does not matter how either of them played yesterday. Dublin never flinched, they never looked like they were going to loose. Also its the start of June far too soon to be peaking. I would imagine they will do something similar in the next game too!
The main problem teams will have facing Dublin is the goals. They murder them!

Beautiful.Meath (Meath) - Posts: 537 - 09/06/2014 14:29:26    1600718

We definitely need to tighten up though Bluewave.

1st half we were all over the place defensively - far too loose.

I think Ger Brennan will be a great addition when he is back fit, and hopefully Kevin Nolan will get another run out shortly.

Attacking wise we are a joy to watch though.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4340 - 09/06/2014 14:33:38    1600724

Muck and Fionn

I agree we need to tighten up but it will never be safe as houses back there when there is a major onus on the backs to surge forward as often as possible. ROC bought the bait too many times yesterday and was pulled out the field, the Dublin press further up the field was not as effective as usual couple that with Laois dominant at midfield for long spells meant we were under some pressure.

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 09/06/2014 14:45:26    1600739

Dublins stength on the sideline is awesome and it has to be said they needed it yesterday .Laois suprised me a little as they attacked Dublin at every opportunity in the first half . They have some lovely footballers who kicked some fine scores .Laois have recently been doing well in the qualifiers and think this year will be no different . This match will do the Dubs a world of good and I cant see Wexford troubling them at all .

_______________

It didnt surprise me.

Everyone knows that Dublin struggle if you push up on their kickouts.

Meath and Kerry did it last year and Dublin's bench/superior fitness saw them through.

If any team go into a game v Dublin this year with no plan to do somethingabout the Dubs kick-outs then they will deserve the beating they get.

This game is exactly what Dublin wanted as you rightly point out, Would have been a travesty to not get a challenge like Westmeath and Louth in the previous 2 years in our first outing.

You cant help but be proud of this Dublin team if youre a Dublin fan, They just dont buckle any more. They are so calm and experienced that you just know even when they are losing, That the inevitable turn around will come, You can almost guarantee it.

As for Wexford, Look they have some smashing players, PJ Banville, Ben Brosnan, Ciaran Lyng... Similar to Laois, You dont see tend to seea very one sided Dublin v Wexford game (2008 Leinster final being an exception) and i dont expect that to change, But i do expect a Dublin win.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 09/06/2014 14:46:48    1600743