Re: Dublin GG News

**Thomas Clarke** Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:38 pm

OMAR wrote:
Appreciate the rebuild point, but what is hard to rationalise is the scale of the the two defeats. Regardless of the age of the squad one would have thought that if the McGeeney blueprint is to work he needs to instill the resilience he had as a playeras a trait which clearly is not happening.

Agreed, but I think he has taken the view of short term pain for long term gain. I'm certain that he could have selected a more experienced side, packed his defence and lost by 5-6 points today. But McGeeney wants more than that, and knows he needs new blood to achieve it. I think today was about the future, but I don't believe that he thought the beating would be so heavy.

**emmetryan** Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:08 am

Thomas Clarke wrote:
I enjoy your blogs Emmet but, with due respect, devoting so much of your article to the myth of goalkeepers playing as sweepers seems very odd. You say that:

"Kieran McGeeney’s wrinkle was to answer the question of whether or not to use a sweeper by deploying Connolly into the back lines.....Even though the goalkeeper made some good saves when faced with several massive overlaps (more on that to come) he made no impact in reducing Dublin’s space to operate in attack, as the sheer number of overlaps Jim Gavin’s side created attests."

This simply was not the case. Connolly was in goals, not in his full/half back line. On a couple of occasions he carried the ball out, but to suggest that he was supposed to reduce the space in which Dublin's attack operated is, in my opinion, fanciful. The same goes for Cluxton, who plays behind his full backline, not in front of them.

The biggest tactical decision that McGeeney made was in the selection of his side, and the over-promotion of his U21 team. They were fast enough for Dublin, but not strong enough, skilful enough or positionally sound enough.

I felt the role they asked of Connolly was to help slow play down by bringing the ball out, this was something that clearly backfired as he tended to just get in the way. With Cluxton he's been behind the back line but high enough that both banks of defenders can push up far higher than normal, this allows Dublin to not have a seventh man full time at the back which they relied on under Gilroy.

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 01, 2013 12:23 am

emmetryan wrote:
Thomas Clarke wrote:
I enjoy your blogs Emmet but, with due respect, devoting so much of your article to the myth of goalkeepers playing as sweepers seems very odd. You say that:

"Kieran McGeeney’s wrinkle was to answer the question of whether or not to use a sweeper by deploying Connolly into the back lines.....Even though the goalkeeper made some good saves when faced with several massive overlaps (more on that to come) he made no impact in reducing Dublin’s space to operate in attack, as the sheer number of overlaps Jim Gavin’s side created attests."

This simply was not the case. Connolly was in goals, not in his full/half back line. On a couple of occasions he carried the ball out, but to suggest that he was supposed to reduce the space in which Dublin's attack operated is, in my opinion, fanciful. The same goes for Cluxton, who plays behind his full backline, not in front of them.

The biggest tactical decision that McGeeney made was in the selection of his side, and the over-promotion of his U21 team. They were fast enough for Dublin, but not strong enough, skilful enough or positionally sound enough.

I felt the role they asked of Connolly was to help slow play down by bringing the ball out, this was something that clearly backfired as he tended to just get in the way.

I'm not sure that this was anything more than providing an extra man for the first pass out of defence. At any rate, I can't see how that would have been expected to reduce Dublin's space and prevent overlaps. We all look at things differently but, in my opinion, I think you may have been seeing something that wasn't there in this one.

**KerryKatriona** Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:01 pm

Alan Brogan not far away from return. It will be like Dublin getting a new player. And a top top performer to boot. Mind you he may not get his place. Watch out Bernard!

**bald eagle** Wed Jul 24, 2013 1:11 pm

KerryKatriona wrote:Alan Brogan not far away from return. It will be like Dublin getting a new player. And a top top performer to boot. Mind you he may not get his place. Watch out Bernard!

Looks like he'll miss the next match according to reports -
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

**Thomas Clarke** Wed Jul 24, 2013 9:45 pm

bald eagle wrote: Looks like he'll miss the next match according to reports -
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Getting to the stage where he won't be seen this year. Huge ask for anyone to come back after a year off and be up to AI semi-final or final pace.

**champers** Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:35 pm

A tweet from jayo about Alan hardly gospel I would expect Alan to play part next day,where is the bigger question:confused:

**emmetryan** Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:29 pm

Hi guys,

Tactical preview of Dublin vs Cork is now up
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Emmet

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:44 pm

emmetryan wrote: Conor Counihan has been a tremendous tactician in recent seasons, despite claims that he’s stale. This column would have people who think that sit and watch every game the Rebels played in 2012 with me as a counterpoint.

emmetryan wrote: This time last year Cork had one elite level high ball fielder in Colm O’Neill and an under-rated secondary option in Nicholas Murphy. While Murphy’s all-round game was showing problems in his later seasons, his ability to field and off-load a high ball remained comfortably at county standard.
In 2013 the Rebels are really stuck for options. O’Neill is injured and Murphy’s retired. Losing one of these options would have been tough but without either, Cork possess far less of an aerial threat.

I've selected a couple of quotes from your article, Emmet, and would disagree with both.

Regarding the high ball, I think Dublin have every reason to be worried about Ciaran Sheehan. He caused all sorts of problems for Kerry when introduced in the 2nd half, and again showed what he could do against Galway, when he was taken to midfield late in the game. The big catch he made under the hoganstand turned the game as much as anything. he is a very fine footballer and powerful in the air.

Regarding Counihan's tactical awareness, well I don't think you'll find many in agreement here, for points outlined in the 'Conor Counihan...' thread.

**emmetryan** Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:49 pm

I know I am in the extreme minority when it comes to Counihan's tactical nous. As for Sheehan, I really like him as a target man but getting him open will be a challenge in itself.

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:54 pm

emmetryan wrote: As for Sheehan, I really like him as a target man but getting him open will be a challenge in itself.

But surely the threat is still there, and Dublin do leave space at the back.

I thought you might have discussed the midfield battle in the preview. For me, if Cork are to win this game, then it is midfield where they will do so. Tyrone and (for a half) Meath have had success against Dublin this year through dominating Dublin's midfield, and in particular Cian O'Sullivan, man for man. Cork have better options in this sector than either Tyrone or Meath.

**emmetryan** Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:57 pm

Honestly I didn't look at the middle thirx because I feel Dublin's pace advantage will neutralise Cork early. The middle third is one of the areas examined in my Kerry vs Cavan piece (busy week).

By the way, your lads vs Monaghan is by far the toughest pick in my book.

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:00 pm

emmetryan wrote:Honestly I didn't look at the middle thirx because I feel Dublin's pace advantage will neutralise Cork early. The middle third is one of the areas examined in my Kerry vs Cavan piece (busy week).

By the way, your lads vs Monaghan is by far the toughest pick in my book.

Perhaps, and Cork are a mess, but they do have the talent if it falls into place.

As for Tyrone/Monaghan, I see a huge amount of people fancying Monaghan, including both analysts last night on the Sunday Game. To pick Monaghan over Tyrone, you have to believe that this Monaghan side, though sporting the same personnel, are in some way different to Monaghan sides over the past few years. You also have to believe that their performance against Donegal wasn't that of a ferociously determined side catching a superior team on a very flat, off day.

**emmetryan** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:01 pm

Yes it's very much a question of which team's 'what ifs' matter the least.

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:02 pm

emmetryan wrote:Yes it's very much a question of which team's 'what ifs' matter the least.

Go with what you know. Tyrone have better footballers than Monaghan, and will have to suffer an off-day to lose. Of course, that is possible.

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:04 pm

Thomas Clarke wrote:
emmetryan wrote:Yes it's very much a question of which team's 'what ifs' matter the least.

Go with what you know. Tyrone have better footballers than Monaghan, and will have to suffer an off-day to lose. Of course, that is possible.

Anyway, feel free to read, comment on and tweet my Tyrone/Monaghan preview, and it will give you all the answers you need Wink

**emmetryan** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:08 pm

Already tweeted, will give it a read before I write my own.

**Thomas Clarke** Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:08 pm

emmetryan wrote:Already tweeted, will give it a read before I write my own.

Great stuff!

**champers** Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:08 pm

Dublin weak under the high ball pure bull,I can't recall where they have struggled in this department since Rory took charge:confused: but eh keep testing them its a pure sign of a beating team kicking the ball in high:cheers:

**Thomas Clarke** Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:17 pm

champers wrote:Dublin weak under the high ball pure bull,I can't recall where they have struggled in this department since Rory took charge:confused: but eh keep testing them its a pure sign of a beating team kicking the ball in high:cheers:

I think the feeling is that O'Carroll is vulnerable in general. Low, high, doesn't really matter. He was destroyed in the last game by both Bray and Newman, on the ground and in the air.

**champers** Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:35 pm

Look it was only Meath o Carroll hasn't being found out yet bray played well v dubs got 2 points from play you would expect that from a top player any team that will look to find weak ess in the dubs f/b line will fail

**Thomas Clarke** Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:39 pm

champers wrote:Look it was only Meath o Carroll hasn't being found out yet bray played well v dubs got 2 points from play you would expect that from a top player any team that will look to find weak ess in the dubs f/b line will fail

He was only on Bray for 15 minutes, and after that they moved him onto Newman, who continued the roasting.

**champers** Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:59 pm

Thomas Clarke wrote:
champers wrote:Look it was only Meath o Carroll hasn't being found out yet bray played well v dubs got 2 points from play you would expect that from a top player any team that will look to find weak ess in the dubs f/b line will fail

He was only on Bray for 15 minutes, and after that they moved him onto Newman, who continued the roasting.

did Rory move to the corner

**Thomas Clarke** Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:02 am

champers wrote:
Thomas Clarke wrote:
champers wrote:Look it was only Meath o Carroll hasn't being found out yet bray played well v dubs got 2 points from play you would expect that from a top player any team that will look to find weak ess in the dubs f/b line will fail

He was only on Bray for 15 minutes, and after that they moved him onto Newman, who continued the roasting.
did Rory move to the corner

It was 2 man FF line, like most teams play nowadays.

**champers** Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:08 am

Ok so bray and Newman took Rory for 4 points from play can't recall the free count

Sponsored content