Messages

 
Q: If these teams were to meet in the league final would the same sell out status arise?

Dublin in the league final would be a guaranteed sell-out regardless of the opposition. If it was Dublin v Tyrone the demand would be such that there'd be talk of moving the Div 2 final out of Croker. But perhaps getting a bit ahead of ourselves 

When I say he's proved time and again that he's not good enough I dont mean specifically his performances at CB. I think he has been poor wherever he has played for dublin half back or half forward and has proved that he is not good enough to play anywhere on the team. I know this sounds harsh but I just think its unfair on other lads on the panel that Moran keeps getting his game ahead of them when he isn't performing at all.

I find it hard to fathom how anybody could say the Collie has been poor for Dublin when played in the half back line. But everyone's entitled to their opinion. Collie has done very well for the Dubs when played there, but thats been all too rare to form a conclusive opinion on whether he should be a championship starter in the half back line.

Of course anyone willing to judge him on his performances when played out of position in the half forward line, could well come to your opinion. But my opinion is that is very short sighted. He's been one of the best half backs in Dublin football for about 4 years - I'm sure Caffrey's plan last year was to have him as left half back, but injury put pay to that. so he deserves his chance to have a run at a half back position this year.

Cant believe Moran keeps getting his game at centre back, he's proved time and again that he's just not good enough.

I dont follow this. Moran has played very few games for the Dubs at centre back - I'd say I've seen most of the games he has played for the Dubs in the half-back line, and I cant remember him having a bad game there. So why do you say "he's proved time and again" that he's not up to playing centre back for the Dubs?

Certrainly, we'd need to be low on options before I'd play him in the forwards. Personally I'd rate Moran as our best left half back - though Brennan now has the opportunity to make his case for that position and may well overtake him.

No matter how bad Armagh are on Sunday, Kildare will be worse   

Have to agree about the full back position, we need to get someone there ASAP. What about Christie? Being out last year may give him enough to last one more year.

Chrisite is concentrating on his studies (finishing a Masters or something), so will not be available to join the panel until March.

I'm happy with the team. Cullen's not playing because he's missed lots of training sessions - he started a few weeks later than most. He'll be broight on though and will paly a big role. I see nothing wrong with giving O'Shea and O'Mahoney their chance. There's a lot more to defending against a big full forward than height.

Connolly deserves his chance after his performances, and having Quinn on beside him would just add to the pressure as he'd be thinking "1 miss and I'll be off the frees". In any event Dotsie deserves his chance too.

And no matter what happens elsewhere on the pitch Brogan, Keaney and Bonner will ensure we'll score more than they do 

What happened to Ronan Clarke?

i don't see any justification for having brennan on the bench based on form and i doubt anyone can come up with an argument to say why he should be there for me he's been the most consistent player over the 3 games.

I believe that Paul Casey is the only player to have started every league and championship game under Caffrey. While Brennan may have played very well in the O'Byrne Cup, and thus is very much in the running for a starting place, it wouldnt surprise me if Casey and Goggins got the nod for wing back. Or if Caffrey reverts Cullen to centre back, that'll push Captain Collie onto the wing, and move Brennan further down the pecking order. However, if he doesnt play v Tyrone I'm sure Brennan would get his chance the following week in Limerick.

Personally I hope Caffrey uses the opportunity to see how Brennan reacts in front of 83,000 fans.

And the other big question is will he subject Connolly to the same cauldron? Its a real sink or swim affair. If he does well, it'll be a great decision and the experience gained would be invaluable come championship. If he does badly there'd be fears it could scar him and everyone would say Caffrey pushed him too early. And if Connolly does play, will he have the added pressure of being freetaker in preference to Quinn? You would think so given that Connoly and not Quinn took the frees last week.

First and foremost he'll be cover for when 1 or 2 of Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko are unavailable - so we should see no more of Bolo Zenden in centre midfield.

But it could also signal that we'll see more and more of the wing back formation, with three central midfielders.

I'm not sure the signing is in the bag just yet, but they are very hopeful that it will happen by the deadline.

Tony Hanahoe - Dublin - 1976,77

I think Enda Colleran for Galway in the 60s

I can't see anything other than 50,000 people having the same idea of trying to get in for 10 minutes before throw-in.

And there will be many thousands who will decide to "make a day" of it:
1245 Liverpool v Everton
1600 England v Scotland
1900ish Dublin v Tyrone

Messy, messy, messy 

I'll certainly be in a mess, but I'll be Wales (please let me find a pub with Setanta Ireland) 

I wouldnt like to be Gnevin when Josey finds out what he's planning for Cullen 

Now that Bonner has a full year of intercounty under his belt, I think he may well show us why Pillar has confidence in him. I'm hoping he'll prove to be a very important ball winner for Dublin in the forwards.

Nope, "keeping private" in this context does not mean keeping quiet, it means keeping it within GAA circles, i.e. if you have a complaint to make about proper procedure, then use the proper procedure yourself to air those grievances, rather than giving press conferences about it in Dubai - the primary purpose of which was clearly self promotion. 

well no, it couldn't mean that given that he says that some of these people are not within the GAA.

One of us is getting mixed up. He mentioned in passing the people outside the GAA who love to see us arguing with each other. He didnt mention anything about them keeping quiet. It was the GAA people he said should keep things within the private world of the GAA rather than hold press conferences.

My Starting 15
Cluxton; P Griffin, Cahill, O'Shaughnessy ; C Goggins, C Moran, Henry; D Magee (Whelo if fit) ,Ryan; D Murray, T Quinn, D Connolly; Brogan, K Bonner, C Keaney.

Did you forget Cullen or deliberately omit him?

I think Pillar will play Cullen instead of Murray. And Casey at wingback, Henry at corner back in place of Shocko.

Full back is up in the air. Talty said a primary objective of early season is to find a new full back - therefore they must not be happy with Cahill in this position. I wonder when McConnell's suspension is up?

Nope, "keeping private" in this context does not mean keeping quiet, it means keeping it within GAA circles, i.e. if you have a complaint to make about proper procedure, then use the proper procedure yourself to air those grievances, rather than giving press conferences about it in Dubai - the primary purpose of which was clearly self promotion.  

Skerries lost in their promotion playoff semi-final on Saturday to Crokes II, so remain Intermediate for another year.
Meaning Bryan Cullen will be available to start for the Dubs v Tyrone.

Who he's going to drop to make way for the likes of Cullen, Brogan, Ryan, Casey will be very interesting. Lally going off with the All Stars has probably cost him his chance of making the starting team - unless his selection at corner back in Dubai gives Pillar an idea!!