Hope I am wrong,but Dublin should win by 10 points or more.The Dubs were poor for 25mins against Monaghan,and still managed to win by 17!

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 10/08/2014 17:27:07    1634385

There is little point taking anything from the second half as Monaghan dropped their game plan once Dublin opened up a sizable lead. What's of note to me is two main issues from the first half. Firstly, Monaghans game plan worked very well for 25 odd minutes and I'd expect Donegal to replicate and better that. Dublin also got their defence in order with a sweeper, Maccer, sitting in front of Monaghans two forwards limiting them to one exceptional score and two soft frees. Duffy gave us a handy few frees too in fairness so it evened out. It will also be key against donegal in what will be a very tight first half to sweep up on Murphy and McFadden and not concede frees.

Secondly, Dublins full court press worked very well on Monaghans kickouts and when their defenders had the ball. We won all of our kickouts uncontested and a very healthy amount of Monaghans and really starved them of possession. I was hoping for these two facets of play and was delighted to see them work out as it's very hard to execute a defensive gameplan with little or no possession. Gavin has been ramping up his version of the full court press over recent games and it's working out a treat.

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 10/08/2014 17:29:44    1634388

Dublin just need to be patient

Gavin will have them ready

The A v B training games will be geared with blanket def in mind

Donegal aren't scoring enough in 2014

They aren't the 2012 version

I think that will show, Dublins defense has improved are are playing very well

They were all getting used to Gavins tactics last year, with him not even being in the job a year

Our defensive system now will cause Donegals forwards problems

Donegal are limited compared to Dublin up front, this is where the game will be one

Donegal blanket will be tough, but they don't have the squad to keep it up against Dublin

Donegal are a fine side but they have gone back since 12

Dublin have improved on 2013, better squad, who have now got much more out of Gavin's tactics having had more time under his vision

It will be similar to the first 25 mins against Monaghan

But just like in that game our superior pace and forwards will open up the blanket

Dubs just need to keep the head, and they'll win.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 10/08/2014 17:39:25    1634397

ZIGGY

Dublin weren't poor, defended very well in that time

It's just that Monaghan had 13 men behind the ball and used the blanket with success

So credit them for playing to their strengths and frustrating a very talented bunch of players

But they couldn't keep it up

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 10/08/2014 17:46:48    1634404

What antics Muckross?

I freely admit to having been embarrassed by some of what happened 4/5 years ago but this is honest Dublin team. One Monaghan player who I won't name took a good few dives and when he belted a Dublin player and should have at least gotten a yellow the player he hit was straight back on his feet. Gavin is from the class of Keith and Charlie and Paul Clarke. Diving be shame on the family. Heffo only played tough honest men and Gavin is the same.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 10/08/2014 18:14:49    1634423

daytona11
County: Kildare
Posts: 2699

1634377 Donegalman,

I said in my original post that I was basing it on what happen over the last two years.Jimmy has a lot to answer for regarding Donegals decline over the last two years.

As we have seen from events of the past few weeks Ulster is probably just as easy for them to win as Leinster is for Dublin. Not much competition up there.

I don't really get Donegal's decline, well apart from them having an off year last season. In 2013 clearly they weren't clicking, and in many ways stumbled along until Monaghan softened them up and Mayo put them out of their misery. But that was probably the result of so many Injuries and not enough fully fit men.

Ulster is no walk over for Donegal, although I suppose they have been the most dominant Ulster team since 2011. But the likes of Monaghan and Armagh won't shy away from challenging Donegal, You can be sure they will relish it. Even Tyrone, Derry and Down will always fancy taking their crown.

I could never see Donegal, Tyrone or Armagh dominate Ulster in a long term manner, not in the way Dublin dominates Leinster. Armagh dominated the Ulster Championship in the Noughties, but Tyrone still won more All Ireland's.
While 1 or 2 sides are dominating in Ulster, their is always 1 or 2 others plotting away in the background.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 10/08/2014 18:20:16    1634427

I think Donegal's full forward line is superb when they actually line out in the full forward line.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 10/08/2014 18:24:06    1634430

@Daytona U are on here knocking Murphy,sour grapes for some reason.One of the top 5 players of his era who unselfishly works midfield or defense as called upon.Imagine if he were solely to stay on the square!By the way I couldn't name Kildare player never mind a forward!

thelowball (USA) - Posts: 400 - 10/08/2014 18:29:42    1634434

It's Dublin's All Ireland to lose, Monaghan were tired out after extra time a week before but that is no excuse for a hammering like they got. Dublin should outclass Donegal and then Kerry or Mayo won't have a hope. Could there be a 5 in a row in this Dublin team i wouldn't bet against it

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 10/08/2014 18:31:38    1634435

On separate note, having watched the first game, I think Armagh are going to be serious force again soon. Cross being in a bit of a dip might help them.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 10/08/2014 18:40:02    1634444

I don't think we are near the level we were at in 2012 unfortunately. Lot more miles on the legs of, in the majority, the same players. But to get to a semi final is a great achievement. Unfortunately the top quality players are just not in the county, not to the extent of the riches Dublin possess anyway.

I think Dublin last year bore similarities to Donegal in 2011 - not in style of play but in terms of that they weren't the finished article. This year they are like the Donegal of 2012 in that everything is clicking into place. The scary thing is that they won it last year and are much better this year.

I fear for us but I know the lads will give 100% and that's enough for me!

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1435 - 10/08/2014 18:46:38    1634453

Muckcross, I like you as a poster - one of those who can see the other point of view and give a humorous take even at your own and Donegal's expense - so I won't pursue it! I genuinely like watching Donegal. Thought they looked flakey yesterday but Armagh are better than people give them credit for. Anyway, next three weeks shall be fun :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 10/08/2014 18:46:49    1634455

Johnny Cooper aka The Undertaker.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 10/08/2014 18:51:03    1634459

Thelowball,

When Michael Murphy is played in the full forwrd line he is savage. Easily one of the best in the game. My opinion is based on the fact he is not being played there currently.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 10/08/2014 18:51:29    1634461

Always have a laugh at some of the posts on here. Dub posters talk about embarrsment. Yeah bite gate number 3, playing all games in same venue, money being pumped into game in capital for years, media bias. Winning SAM just wouldnt mean the same for me if I were from Dublin, considering the odds are always stacked in their favour. Now you have a fine team but you wouldnt be în thîs position but for a lot a if the odds were evened up a tad IMO.

DLlegends (Donegal) - Posts: 503 - 10/08/2014 18:51:35    1634462

daytona11
County: Kildare
Posts: 2700

1634461
Thelowball,

When Michael Murphy is played in the full forwrd line he is savage. Easily one of the best in the game. My opinion is based on the fact he is not being played there currently.


Quit while you are behind, a guy switching positions doesn't mean he is not the player he was. That's like saying Keith Higgins isn't one of the top corner backs in the country based on the fact he hasn't played there much in the last 2 years. Makes no sense.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8458 - 10/08/2014 18:54:45    1634468

DL legends. One of the most bitter posts I have seen in a long time.

Tell me,

Is there really much more glory in the way donegal won their last all ireland?

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 10/08/2014 18:58:49    1634475

It does Flaker.

I said I am basing it on the form over the last 2 years.

He is capable of being one of the best players of the last 20 years if played in full forward line.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 10/08/2014 19:01:23    1634481

So so bitter daytona. I'd say the poster isn't over 2011 semi yet!

Jackeen (Dublin) - Posts: 4097 - 10/08/2014 19:06:12    1634488

I cant see anything but a Dublin win. Even if Donegal play to their potential you have to factor that the crucial calls will always go in favour of Dublin. This is consistently reflected over the past few years. No black cards to date for Dublin, come off it. Does anybody really believe that in all the games played to date that Dublin haven't had one player guilty of a black card offence that hasn't been spotted by the ref, linesman or umpire? O'Gara should have had one yesterday against Monaghan but the ref opted for yellow.
The bookies rarely get it wrong and they have Dublin 10:1 on for a reason

DonahysHedFones (Kerry) - Posts: 21 - 10/08/2014 19:06:27    1634489