Messages

Mayo have a great chance. They are significantly better than Tyrone at the moment and unlike Tyrone, they'll ask the Dublin players questions by taking them on. They'll defend players and not simply fill space. If I was a Tyrone man I'd be disgusted today because you had a chance today if you didn't tie yourself to a system that never had a chance of being successful.

The only reason mayo are still in it is that they haven't played this dublin team yet. I'm coming round to the idea that this is the best team i've seen in the flesh ever (and i'm no spring chicken). Tactically it will play out different the next day but the outcome will be a comfortable dublin win

Dublin may well win but I doubt it will be comfortable. Dublin didn't beat Mayo comfortably last year so why would they do it this year?

Dublin are a much better side this year . And are performing much better . Mayo have improved too. But Dublin have a higher ceiling in my view

Well, I'm not feeling bullish about Mayo's prospects for the final but I certainly am not bearish, if that's the word, either.
Unless I am missing something, Dublin haven't had a tough game since they lost the league final to Kerry, around six months ago. On the other hand, Mayo has been living on the edge since they managed to beat Sligo. They suffered a loss to Galway and were pushed to the limit in every other game until yesterday. Much the same routine as last year when they took the Dubs to a replay and the issue was in doubt until the last kick of the ball. Furthermore, very few would disagree that Dublin had a fair share of luck before coming out on top.
Anyway, that's history. Now Mayo has certainly improved since last year's final and it's hard to say whether Dublin are better or than they were back then.
A fairly reliable source told me that in between the Roscommon games, Rochford discussed tactics with some, if not all, players and the improvements was plain to be seen. I was also told that planting Aido on Donaghy was the players' idea.
Can't swear to this but my source is pretty reliable.
I'm more confident of a win now than I was a year ago but that's about the height of it.

Mayo are better but unfortunately so are Dublin. I still think last year was your chance but may he bet team win the final

Tyrone only stopped playing the way 'they used to' because it was pointless playing that way v Donegal.  3 or 4 championship defeats on the trot saw to this.  Heck  Kerry even changed their approach when they beat them in  the final a few years back

You lost because the players weren't good enough . This system is a failure too. Because you've beaten nobody since 2009

Start playing the sport the way you used to .

Hats off Syferus, you were absolutely right.

I don't take any glee in a proper GAA county being out-classed by a corporation with every advantage imaginable. In most other eras Tyrone would indeed be AI challengers with their current team.

Yes! But let's not say that to loud! Tyrone have been sheltered by narrow defeats to Kerry and Mayo from meeting Dublin. It's always easy to criticise how poor teams are against the Corporate monster until you play them in their home turf in Championship.

Mayo sees to be able to . You're not good enough and that's it. And thankfully we won't have to watch any of the crap you masquerade as Gaelic Football till next year

Hats off Syferus, you were absolutely right.

I don't take any glee in a proper GAA county being out-classed by a corporation with every advantage imaginable. In most other eras Tyrone would indeed be AI challengers with their current team.

Just because Roscommon aren't up to it don't blame the rest of us why you can't win a match in Croke Park

Indo

A Con O'Callaghan goal in the fifth minute set the tone for a totally dominant first-half performance by Dublin which surely spells the end of the blanket defence and possibly the managerial career of Tyrone boss Mickey Harte.

The end of the nihilism of the blanket would be welcome.

The blanket was what won it today for Dublin. 15 behind the 45 every time Tyrone went forward. Literally 15!

Complete rubbish, when dublin attacked they had plenty of options for a long kick pass ahead of them because they kept players up the pitch. Tyrone never had that luxury and their counter attacks lacked any pace and they looked clueless against an organised defence.

Watch the game back. When tyrone went on the attack Dublin retreated all 15 back. Honestly. Not complaining about it, it's a legitimate tactic. But it's what Dublin did. They out blanketed tyrone. Broke forward far faster than tyrone when the turned over.

But seriously, 15 man dublin blanket. It happened.

Go back to bed . You are an embarrassment to Gaelic football . A laughing stock regardless of whether Dublin win the final . You were seven points down and had 13 still behind the ball. It's pathetic . Plan A and nothing else
Back to the drawing board mate and at least next year play with some conviction

Really enojoyed the build up and fight.

Ignoring the nonsense from the "world tour press conference", Conor came across really well in the All Access and Embedded preview shows. A super combination of being totally dedicated and hard working, and being a complete messer with great Irish wit (if you are judging his personality, these are the shows you should watch rather than the nonsense world tour stuff).

Some achievement for an Irishman to be involved in one of the biggest fights in history, and the first time him in a professional boxing ring. Amazing to have Ireland and Amhran na BhFiann front and centre. I don't know anything about Imelda May, but she nailed the national anthem! 

Conor showed plenty of skills in the ring. The disappointing thing was his biggest weakness was his engine. Floyd never hurt him, but he was completley gassed. McGregor handled himself really well afterwards too. Gave an excellent interview and was disappointed that the ref didn't let him get knocked down as he admitted was inevitable. But the 8 count would likely have got him to the end of the round. (Correct decision by the ref IMO)

I think Conor showed enough that he gave 100% to boxing, he could well be comparable to a Bernard Dunne, Wayne McCullough, Carl Frampton, Barry McGuigan, Steve Collins. Definitely a world title in him, but also there'd be no chance that he'd be a pound-for-pound contender, never mind be anywhere close to one of the greatest of all time.

But MMA is where he gets the best out of his skills. So well done Conor, did Ireland proud in an albeit futile battle. Now back to the UFC!

Mc Gregor would lose to any Olympic Irish amateur. It was a joke contest and floyd could have finished it after round 3 any time he wanted to . His fabled power reduced to diddly squat when wearing gloves .

Please Floyd just KO him . And the rest of the world can get on with their lives

[Since that fateful day in August 2014 Dublin have not lost a championship match and the only team to come within 3 points of them is Mayo who have drawn with them twice.]

Since the 22nd August 2010 Dublin have only lost 2 championship games. Once to Donegal and once to Mayo
Micky seems to have gone all in on the Donegal tactics as the way to be the third team to beat them.

Since that fateful day in August 2014 Dublin have not lost a championship match and the only team to come within 3 points of them is Mayo who have drawn with them twice.

Why is Mciky Harte so convinced this is the way to beat Dublin

Kerry lost by 2 in 2016 and by 3 in 2015...but carry on.

why does the margin matter

THEY LOST.

Is that clear enough?

Guaranteed borefest - both teams will defend deep when not in possession, walk the ball to halfway after it has been kicked wide, hand pass or kick short ad nausea as they probe for space - dubs 2 minute soccer style build up to McCarthys point - and repeat over and over with occasional turnovers leading to brief instances of high intensity play - very brief!! Then the final 7-10 mins will see both of them decide to try and go for it!!
And based on league positions at start of year Tyrone have had a harder run to this stage - derry, div2, donegal div1, down div2, Armagh div3..
Versus Dublin - Carlow div4, w-Meath div4, Kildare div2 and Monaghan div1 - so how good are Dublin?

Double all Ireland champions that's how good . Our pedigree is proven - yours isn't .
Tyrone have played nobody yet . Building a fine team but Dublin won't allow Tyrone space on the counter attack

Tyrone will have to prove they belong in the conversation the next day out.  Seeing as the best Kerry or Mayo can do against Dublin is a draw, what chances Tyrone and Dublin draw?

In fact, what odds both semifinals go to replays?

Don't let the facts get in the way of misguided nonsense though.
The best Mayo have done is a draw.

The best Kerry have done is lose.

And thus far Tyrone have failed to qualify for the latter stages and be part of the discussion.  New territory for Tyrone.  Who knows how they will handle it.

We know Kerry haven't had it against the Dubs.

We know Mayo have had it but shot themselves in the foot.

We don't know whether Tyrone have it or have not.

The known against the unknown.

The only team to topple Dublin under Gavin have been an Ulster side who played a defend in numbers, counter attacking game - similar to Tyrone.

They had Michael Murphy, Mc fadden and Mc Brearty

You have your best inside forwards on the bench.

They had McBrearty on the bench.

Murphy played the majority of his football in the middle of the pitch and McFadden was getting stick as he had been badly out of form that year.

You've ignored my bit about your county....

No, I actually corrected your misinformation.

McBrearty started on the bench.
Murphy played the bulk of it out the field.
McFadden had been getting a lot of stick for his performances that year.

I'm still waiting .....

Tyrone will have to prove they belong in the conversation the next day out.  Seeing as the best Kerry or Mayo can do against Dublin is a draw, what chances Tyrone and Dublin draw?

In fact, what odds both semifinals go to replays?

Don't let the facts get in the way of misguided nonsense though.
The best Mayo have done is a draw.

The best Kerry have done is lose.

And thus far Tyrone have failed to qualify for the latter stages and be part of the discussion.  New territory for Tyrone.  Who knows how they will handle it.

We know Kerry haven't had it against the Dubs.

We know Mayo have had it but shot themselves in the foot.

We don't know whether Tyrone have it or have not.

The known against the unknown.

The only team to topple Dublin under Gavin have been an Ulster side who played a defend in numbers, counter attacking game - similar to Tyrone.

They had Michael Murphy, Mc fadden and Mc Brearty

You have your best inside forwards on the bench.

They had McBrearty on the bench.

Murphy played the majority of his football in the middle of the pitch and McFadden was getting stick as he had been badly out of form that year.

You've ignored my bit about your county....

O Rourke is right.

The GAA is a community based organisation built around volunteers and clubs

Currently we have two associations. The club and the elite county scene.

The GAA had the chance ten years ago to ensure he organisation stayed true to its amateur roots.

It bottled it and we have the mess we have today.

Only club volunteers are keeping this organisation together. i get more satisfaction watching my club playing a challenge match then I do going to Croke Park

They're very young, they've a big enough future ahead of them if they want it bad enough and they're properly supported by their County board.

Far too much made of a youth card . Its like using a band aid around a leaking pipe when you're beaten.

They were clueless and didn't dig in either. Not traits I'd associate with future promise.