AISF 2010: Corcaigh vs Áth Cliath

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

....a Tyroneman claiming the moral high ground on the aesthetics of Gaelic football...I've heard it all now   

ffs...you have driven a stake into the heart of midfield play and you have just broken the record for short kick outs (...and lost !) ....yet you have the cheek to moralize on skill ...................you, sir, have no right to comment on what is considered a "skill" in a Gaelic football.

A Kerryman lecturing about skill in regard to a Tyrone team that have won AI Minor, 2 AI U21s, and 3 AI Seniors.

You sir, have outdone even your own arrogance and ignorance on that one (closet Cork git  ).

[INDIANA]

Cork will have to betray footballing ability to match their undoubted athleticism soon, or they'll be consigned to history as "the best All-Ireland winners we never had", much like their countyman Micheál Martin now has the unfortunate moniker of the "best Taoiseach we never had".

I'm not convinced, far from it actually. It's true that teams are overawed at times by the sheer power of their running, and strength of their fielding. But that's not footballing skill per se, and if opposition footballers aren't cowed by that, they've every chance, provided of course that they themselves have the footballing wherewithal. Dublin might just have that.

We're in danger of losing the run of ourselves at the moment. We've never had any middle ground unfortunately. Last Saturday was great but Tyrone undoubtedly contributed heavily to their own demise. In Dublin I'm afraid that is being glossed over. There are still some very average footballers starting for Dublin at present. Great lads - don't get me wrong but somehow we will need a bit of class to beat Cork outside the Brogans. For me we don't have enough at present. At the end of the day the current Tyrone team as a unit is past its best.

Cork are due a big game. Watched that behind the scenes programme on Croker on Wednesday? Anyone see the paiin on the Cork players faces having lost the all-ireland. I know myself what thats like. If that doesn't motivate them now with Kerry and Tyrone out-nothing will. I just fear Cork are going to unleash the dogs of war in 2 weeks.

They have far greater skill then people are giving them credit for. The only mistake I really see Cork making at present is that they aren't getting the right guys shooting. With all respects to Kissane, O Connor etc they shouldn't be shooting with the weak foot from the wrong side of the pitch. I'd expect Cork to rectify that in the 3 weeks.

I think this is a really tough game in 2 weeks and we're right up against it. Some of our fans are sleepwalking on this one. There is zero respect being shown in Dublin for Cork by large sections. You don't have to like someone to respect them as footballers.

[INDIANA]

Certainly doesn't make him a bad player as on his day Meehan is one of the best forward's in the Game

Shields 2010 Championship stats

1st game, at CHB he marked Declan O'Sullivan Scored 0-0
2nd game,at CHB he marked Declan O'Sullivan Scored 0-2
3rd game, at FB he marked S Johnston scored 0-1(a free)
4th game, at FB he marked M Forde scored 0-1
5th game, at FB he marked I Ryan scored 0-1 (a free)
6th game at FB he marked D Shine in 1st half Scored 0-3 & 2nd half at CHB he marked D O'Gara scored 0-0

So pretty impressive stats but with Canty out they won't have the option of swapping places this time

B Brogan roasted him in the league.
Also scoring stats are a cop out for any defender. If I'm a back and my man doesn't score and he has 6 assissts or I give away 6 frees are you telling me that I've has played well? Cmon on.

[heffo]

Cork will have to betray footballing ability to match their undoubted athleticism soon, or they'll be consigned to history as "the best All-Ireland winners we never had", much like their countyman Micheál Martin now has the unfortunate moniker of the "best Taoiseach we never had".

I'm not convinced, far from it actually. It's true that teams are overawed at times by the sheer power of their running, and strength of their fielding. But that's not footballing skill per se, and if opposition footballers aren't cowed by that, they've every chance, provided of course that they themselves have the footballing wherewithal. Dublin might just have that.

We're in danger of losing the run of ourselves at the moment. We've never had any middle ground unfortunately. Last Saturday was great but Tyrone undoubtedly contributed heavily to their own demise. In Dublin I'm afraid that is being glossed over. There are still some very average footballers starting for Dublin at present. Great lads - don't get me wrong but somehow we will need a bit of class to beat Cork outside the Brogans. For me we don't have enough at present. At the end of the day the current Tyrone team as a unit is past its best.

Cork are due a big game. Watched that behind the scenes programme on Croker on Wednesday? Anyone see the paiin on the Cork players faces having lost the all-ireland. I know myself what thats like. If that doesn't motivate them now with Kerry and Tyrone out-nothing will. I just fear Cork are going to unleash the dogs of war in 2 weeks.

They have far greater skill then people are giving them credit for. The only mistake I really see Cork making at present is that they aren't getting the right guys shooting. With all respects to Kissane, O Connor etc they shouldn't be shooting with the weak foot from the wrong side of the pitch. I'd expect Cork to rectify that in the 3 weeks.

I think this is a really tough game in 2 weeks and we're right up against it. Some of our fans are sleepwalking on this one. There is zero respect being shown in Dublin for Cork by large sections. You don't have to like someone to respect them as footballers.

How many semi finals in a row for this Cork team? Six?

How many finals in how many years?

Limited enough Dublin team in some respects in year one of development, with a lot of inexperience...great to get here but Cork are the superior team that have the potential to destroy us from half back up - that they haven't shown the form this year is our only hope..

[INDIANA]

Cork will have to betray footballing ability to match their undoubted athleticism soon, or they'll be consigned to history as "the best All-Ireland winners we never had", much like their countyman Micheál Martin now has the unfortunate moniker of the "best Taoiseach we never had".

I'm not convinced, far from it actually. It's true that teams are overawed at times by the sheer power of their running, and strength of their fielding. But that's not footballing skill per se, and if opposition footballers aren't cowed by that, they've every chance, provided of course that they themselves have the footballing wherewithal. Dublin might just have that.

We're in danger of losing the run of ourselves at the moment. We've never had any middle ground unfortunately. Last Saturday was great but Tyrone undoubtedly contributed heavily to their own demise. In Dublin I'm afraid that is being glossed over. There are still some very average footballers starting for Dublin at present. Great lads - don't get me wrong but somehow we will need a bit of class to beat Cork outside the Brogans. For me we don't have enough at present. At the end of the day the current Tyrone team as a unit is past its best.

Cork are due a big game. Watched that behind the scenes programme on Croker on Wednesday? Anyone see the paiin on the Cork players faces having lost the all-ireland. I know myself what thats like. If that doesn't motivate them now with Kerry and Tyrone out-nothing will. I just fear Cork are going to unleash the dogs of war in 2 weeks.

They have far greater skill then people are giving them credit for. The only mistake I really see Cork making at present is that they aren't getting the right guys shooting. With all respects to Kissane, O Connor etc they shouldn't be shooting with the weak foot from the wrong side of the pitch. I'd expect Cork to rectify that in the 3 weeks.

I think this is a really tough game in 2 weeks and we're right up against it. Some of our fans are sleepwalking on this one. There is zero respect being shown in Dublin for Cork by large sections. You don't have to like someone to respect them as footballers.

How many semi finals in a row for this Cork team? Six?

How many finals in how many years?

Limited enough Dublin team in some respects in year one of development, with a lot of inexperience...great to get here but Cork are the superior team that have the potential to destroy us from half back up - that they haven't shown the form this year is our only hope..

Thas the point really. Which Cork shows up. If its the one of the last 4 weeks then we have a great chance. Ifits the one that played Tyrone last year then it'll be a tough day.

[Hound]

Should also be pointed out that while Bernard's consistency has improved loads this year, he still doesnt play well in every game.

[ross4life]

Have to laugh at some of the Dubs fans trying to play down there chances, the fact remains whenever Dublin make All Ireland semi final they expect to make the Final was the case in the recent semis in 02,06,07 & if the Dubs play like they did v Tyrone those expectations will be realized

[ross4life]

How many finals in how many years?

Two finals in three years beaten by Kerry, some other team did that...... ohh yeah Mayo 04,06 also beaten by Kerry

[Chris agus Snoop]

It was Cadogan who marked Bernard in the league, didn't do too badly. Bernard gets ball by running into space onto the end of a 20-30 yd footpass rather than 50/50 ball, Cork will try to put pressure on the supply and cut down the space. Bernard probably has plaayer of the year sewed up even if Dubs lose with the form he is in,so Cork would be happy limiting him to 2-3 points per half.
Cadogan on O'gara because our other backs are too light for him they'd get blasted out of the way. He looks a bit like Tommy Walsh when soloing through like a train.

[INDIANA]

It was Cadogan who marked Bernard in the league, didn't do too badly. Bernard gets ball by running into space onto the end of a 20-30 yd footpass rather than 50/50 ball, Cork will try to put pressure on the supply and cut down the space. Bernard probably has plaayer of the year sewed up even if Dubs lose with the form he is in,so Cork would be happy limiting him to 2-3 points per half.
Cadogan on O'gara because our other backs are too light for him they'd get blasted out of the way. He looks a bit like Tommy Walsh when soloing through like a train.

O Gara is still incredibly raw at this level. He's been giving a billing at the moment that I'm afraid is far higher then it should be. He does the same thing every time when he gets the ball. I know myself as a former back how I'd mark him. Just step across to his right- becasue he always goes right at the moment. He really needs the benefit of a full league campaign to bring him on. Championship is a very hard place to learn. And too much is being expected of him at the moment in my opinion.

[Hound]

It was Cadogan who marked Bernard in the league, didn't do too badly. Bernard gets ball by running into space onto the end of a 20-30 yd footpass rather than 50/50 ball, Cork will try to put pressure on the supply and cut down the space. Bernard probably has plaayer of the year sewed up even if Dubs lose with the form he is in,so Cork would be happy limiting him to 2-3 points per half.
Cadogan on O'gara because our other backs are too light for him they'd get blasted out of the way. He looks a bit like Tommy Walsh when soloing through like a train.

O Gara is still incredibly raw at this level. He's been giving a billing at the moment that I'm afraid is far higher then it should be. He does the same thing every time when he gets the ball. I know myself as a former back how I'd mark him. Just step across to his right- becasue he always goes right at the moment. He really needs the benefit of a full league campaign to bring him on. Championship is a very hard place to learn. And too much is being expected of him at the moment in my opinion.

Well I expect him to make a ballix of it everytime he gets the ball!!

Though for the first time I think he's worth his place. He's a handful in fairness, and you can't argue with his finishes (for his 2nd and 3rd goals anyway)

[DUBSFORSAM1]

It was Cadogan who marked Bernard in the league, didn't do too badly. Bernard gets ball by running into space onto the end of a 20-30 yd footpass rather than 50/50 ball, Cork will try to put pressure on the supply and cut down the space. Bernard probably has plaayer of the year sewed up even if Dubs lose with the form he is in,so Cork would be happy limiting him to 2-3 points per half.
Cadogan on O'gara because our other backs are too light for him they'd get blasted out of the way. He looks a bit like Tommy Walsh when soloing through like a train.

O Gara is still incredibly raw at this level. He's been giving a billing at the moment that I'm afraid is far higher then it should be. He does the same thing every time when he gets the ball. I know myself as a former back how I'd mark him. Just step across to his right- becasue he always goes right at the moment. He really needs the benefit of a full league campaign to bring him on. Championship is a very hard place to learn. And too much is being expected of him at the moment in my opinion.

What billing is he getting? Someone who works hard, makes a contest for all balls and wins tough balls, tackles and hits the opposition at all times and kicks the off goal. His power and pace are what make him difficult and I can see him just stepping left on someone and going right through.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Tough luck on Darren Magee, breaking his leg in a club game for the Crokes last night.

[heffo]

Tough luck on Darren Magee, breaking his leg in a club game for the Crokes last night.

The fella can't buy a break - he had an operation this morning - pins and plates inserted - speedy recovery Darren.

[lynchbhoy]

hard luck on Darren magee alright. Decent footballer and could have been even better if used when he was playing well and young (therefore mouldable) alongside Whelan.

Still after all the criticism this season, it looks like Dublin will not get a better chance to win the AI.
Cork have not played at all and imo are unlikely to suddenly find form.
Kildare/Down in the other game are two form teams that wont beat Dublin and their defensive strength.
Yes Dublin rely heavily on Bernard Brogan, but with Alan B starting to show some form and with Bryan Cullen proving his worth as a dynamic and scoring HF, (imo Flynn is exactly the same and should start on the other wing), Mcconnell in the form of his life and with Fennel to replace him if he relapses and McCauley is the find of the year and rivals BBrogan and MClarke for POTY - I think Dublin will find that they are capable of SAM dispite most of us writing them and gilroy off months ago.
I stil think Dublin could be improved by a few changes in personnel, but theyare playing well as a team to a system that is working. BBrogan could be held again but he is starting to get support from others in scoring stakes now.