Dublin power on.

Yet to be challenged.

Yet to have the bad day it will take coupled with a strong challenge to endanger them.

Yet to know if there is a challenge out there.

Naysayer (Antrim) - Posts: 2071 - 09/08/2014 21:25:59    1634056

Very disappointed with the Monaghan challange, they gave up after the first goal, expected more, 2nd half looked like a relaxed training session for Dublin. Donegal were terrible today and were lucky to get out alive, can't imagine they'll be that bad again.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8812 - 09/08/2014 21:38:30    1634065

how were Donegal terrible

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1691 - 09/08/2014 21:56:33    1634081

northern football healthy? in my ass it is not on what i saw in croke park yeaserday

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 3002 - 10/08/2014 09:19:11    1634100

they were terrable as they only beat armagh by a point

Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 3002 - 10/08/2014 09:33:14    1634105

cuchulainn35
County: Armagh
Posts: 1040

1634081
how were Donegal terrible



Maybe 'terrible' is a little harsh, but their shooting was woeful when they should have been putting that game to bed. I didn't mean any disrespect to Armagh, who played very well and could have won this game. I think I was just expecting a lot more from Donegal but I'm sure they'll have sharpened up by the 31st.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8812 - 10/08/2014 10:06:02    1634122

Hard luck Monaghan it's no shame losing to this Dublin side , as I said before it's the best panel of players I've ever seen in my lifetime.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 10/08/2014 10:26:38    1634129

dublin look to be the best most complete team for manys a year.im fact i cant think of any team ive ever seen{ inc the great kerry team} who would challenge them.they have every thing.pace, speed, toughness, accuracy,tactical awareness and a frightening bench.ive mayo bkd to win sam but for either mayo or kerry it will just be a day out in croker...

kavvie (Clare) - Posts: 505 - 10/08/2014 10:37:55    1634136

Well firstly, hard luck to Monagahan and their fans. They held in there for 20 or so but once the first goal went in that was that. You could see early on that they were not going to live with Dublin's pace and relentlessness. I didn't get all of the trash talk beforehand about Dublin not having played against a defensive side yet, "Monagahan are the most physical side in the country" and "Dublin will know that they have been in a game". These people obviously had not seen these Dublin team in the flesh until yesterday. This is not Ulster football. Dublin play quick, precise, physical football with a lot of skill. Monaghan were no more a test than the "weak Leinster teams" who were "beat before they even turned up". Donegal will be better prepared I think but they had better play better than they did yesterday.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4748 - 10/08/2014 12:06:42    1634195

Come on kavvie, don't go all wobbly on us now! Dubs not tested, that's for sure... reminds me of our campaign last year, also against the Ulster sides. It's hard to say where Donegal are at after yesterday, but I can't see them folding on the 31st, so the Dubs will finally get a game.

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 10/08/2014 12:13:06    1634201

You are entirely correct with everything you say there Joxer. Monaghan can be proud of their effort and the year they have had, this is an outstanding Dublin team and so there is no shame in getting a big beating from them. The embarrassment should be with all those who mocked the Leinster sides and questioned their preparation and efforts. All of these Leinster teams would have known deep down, when training throughout the winter, that their chances of winning any silverware was incredibly small, but yet they stuck at it and represented their county with pride. At least the Monaghan players know they can come back next here and try to win back the Ulster title, how many of them would be keen to train in December if told their first championship game was going to be against Dublin again in Croke Park.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 10/08/2014 12:21:49    1634203

Well done to Dublin yesterday

Currently sitting in the airport waiting for my flight back to Tenerife after coming back yesterday for the game, Glad i am not going back disappointed.

Hard luck to Monaghan, As for us, One step 5 or 6 around the corner, thats all.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13655 - 10/08/2014 12:28:55    1634210

Hard luck to Monaghan not nice losing by that margin. Before the game i thought there was not much between Meath, Kildare ,Monaghan ,Armagh and once we didnt have an off day we would win by a big margin ,we were excellent all over the pitch and the truth is it doesnt matter what formation the opposition puts out we will mark ye man on man. Our team Played in Monaghans half and never let them come out with the ball. Johnny Cooper was like a an extra half forward for us. Donegal will be a sterner test but they know that if they leave holes like yesterday we will punish them.
Into 71st min we were tackling like the ball had only been thrown in for the start. They are a joy to watch .
Bring on Donegal.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 10/08/2014 12:31:27    1634213

I don't think Monaghan could have done any more to be honest, such is the gulf in class. Its clear the rest of us really are just playing catch up now and fighting for the scraps. If Dublin go on to lift Sam it will be because they deserve it although they still have two hard games before that but I don't believe that Donegal have the firepower to hurt them.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 10/08/2014 12:42:51    1634217

great performance yesterday
once we got ahead with the first goal it was curtains for monaghan as somewhat strangely
they never changed tactics.
the blanket defence only works if you go in front from the throw in and then dictate the pace of the game.
but when a side playing like that goes behind by more than 3 points, they have two options
they change to plan b and chase the match or as we seen with monaghan yesterday and donegal last year v mayo
they stay doing the same thing which doesnt work it onl serves to try loose by as little as possible.
thaught our team play was brilliant yesterday lots of great moves finished with nice points.
the two goals opened them up and were taken really well.
philly mcmahon was outstanding all day particularly in the first half where he went out midfield
insitead of staying back while his man went all the way back, philly won so much ball around the middle of the park
and his distribution is so good. the half forward line worked their socks off and all 3 got plenty of scores.
thaught o carroll won everything that came into him.
should have got 3 more goals in second half but delighted to keep the points above 20 yet again.
one thing about konaghan was strange was the tactic all day to let dublin have their own kickouts uncontested.
it was kamakaze stuff I felt as your handing an attacking team the ball instead of trying to stop them building attacks.
5th semi final in a row great achievment

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 10/08/2014 13:06:40    1634238

Soma
County: UK
Posts: 542

1634203
You are entirely correct with everything you say there Joxer. Monaghan can be proud of their effort and the year they have had, this is an outstanding Dublin team and so there is no shame in getting a big beating from them. The embarrassment should be with all those who mocked the Leinster sides and questioned their preparation and efforts. All of these Leinster teams would have known deep down, when training throughout the winter, that their chances of winning any silverware was incredibly small, but yet they stuck at it and represented their county with pride. At least the Monaghan players know they can come back next here and try to win back the Ulster title, how many of them would be keen to train in December if told their first championship game was going to be against Dublin again in Croke Park.

Hard & all as this may be to believe Soma but I agree with you.

What killed Monaghan yesterday, apart from tiredness after the extra time game the previous week, was that they never truly believed they could beat Dublin. This also affected Meath, Wexford & Laois. One thing is for certain with this Dublin team, if you go on the field with any self doubt about yourself, your teammates, your management or your style of playing then this excellent Dublin team will kill you.

Monaghan did quite well yesterday for the first 25 minutes until Dublin's first goal, which was I think their first score from play. As soon as it went in, it was as if someone pulled the bath plug out & all the fight drained out of them.

I see the same thing on HS every day, that same defeatist attitude that has given up & thrown in the towel & it drives me up the wall.

The great Kerry 4 in a row team, the great Kilkenny hurling team bot swept all before them in their time, but their time ended & others had their day in the sun. The same will happen with Dublin.

Whatever chance Donegal have against Dublin, and it might not be great, they will not go out on the field beaten before they start. We have all seen evidence of sportspeople who dominated by force of their reputations, Ali, Tiger Woods, Man Utd, Kerry & Kilkenny. Teams were beaten before they even took the field until someone eventually beat them then the reputations withered & everyone had a go.

I have faith that whatever shortcomings Donegal have, and thy have many, courage & belief will not be among them. JMcG will see to that. They may well go down but they will go down fighting & no one can ask for more than that.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 10/08/2014 13:12:13    1634242

The thing that impressed me most about Dublin yesterday was their sheer relentlessness. In the last minute their half forward was tackling back like the game was in the balance. They are the most ruthless side in Gaelic football I have ever seen and could go on to win a good few all Irelands on the trot. As for us, it was a real red letter day in showing us the gap to the very best. We badly need a dominant midfielder and a few alternatives to McManus as we are extremely predictable to play against. On the plus side despite yesterday still think our defenders are decent players and its a good foundation for a team. Hopefully lads certain players will learn from yesterday that they are days when its not going your way but not to let the heads drop but keep playing.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1909 - 10/08/2014 13:14:24    1634245

Muck are you saying Donegal have more courage than Wexford, Laois, Monaghan etc? Because if you are then you are entirely wrong.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 10/08/2014 13:26:22    1634257

Who was said Dublin were going to get "a taste of the Ulster championship"?

As for the semi final, no team that scores 1 - 12 is going to beat Dublin. And they won't score 1 - 12 against Dublin unless for some mad reason people think that the Armagh defence is better than Dublin's!

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 10/08/2014 13:29:06    1634259

realdub
County: Dublin
Posts: 3734

1634122
cuchulainn35
County: Armagh
Posts: 1040

1634081
how were Donegal terrible



Maybe 'terrible' is a little harsh, but their shooting was woeful when they should have been putting that game to bed. I didn't mean any disrespect to Armagh, who played very well and could have won this game. I think I was just expecting a lot more from Donegal but I'm sure they'll have sharpened up by the 31st.


Well in fairness I agree it was hardly a cracker of a match.

But In all honesty, I rarely expect that type of game when you have 2 very defensive Ulster sides facing off. I felt Donegal were clearly much stronger, but didn't seem quite as motivated as Armagh in the early stages. When I say Donegal were clearly much stronger, I point to better defensive work and they looked far more comfortable on the ball.

McFadden isn't firing properly this year, and It doesn't really look like it will happen.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 10/08/2014 13:42:18    1634269