All-Ireland Senior Football final - Kerry v Dublin 18/09/2011

[heffo]

Paul Flynn would make my team before the highly overrated, not to mention out of form, Donaghy. Galvin isn't starting so he doesn't come into the reckoning but even if he did he hasnt done enough this year to oust flynn.

If you were going on this years form alone then you could be right, but otherwise Galvin & Donaghy have done too much to be ousted by someone who is potentially an all-star this year.

[AZOffaly]

Darn, I made a rookie mistake I meant of course

Alan Brogan Declan O'Sullivan Paul Galvin

Gooch       Star         Bernard Brogan


Marty and Ger wouldn't know who I meant.

[Dinny Breen]

So who would make up the midfield and defence of this composite side?

[AZOffaly]

There's the question Dinny. That's why I think debates of the forward line is only a part of the equation. Interesting, but forwards are there to drive home the advantage the rest of the team provides. If Kerry can't win the ball in the midfield and half back line, I think Dublin will win.

There's a big onus on the half back lines of both teams, and the midfields, and it is funny that I would say both teams are weak enough in the midfield sector, yet both of them have played well in that sector for most of the year.

I wonder will Dublin put Barry Cahill on Declan O'Sullivan. I don't think he would suit Ger Brennan..

[heffo]

I wonder will Dublin put Barry Cahill on Declan O'Sullivan. I don't think he would suit Ger Brennan..

No chance - Brennan won't be picking him up either.

[AZOffaly]

Wouldn't think so. Have to be someone mobile, but strong too.

[Billys Boots]

So who would make up the midfield and defence of this composite side?

Shit-stirrer.

[heffo]

So who would make up the midfield and defence of this composite side?

We'd have to include Kildare as the 3rd (or is that joint 2nd??) best team too Dinny for a full picture!

[Dinny Breen]

So who would make up the midfield and defence of this composite side?

We'd have to include Kildare as the 3rd (or is that joint 2nd??) best team too Dinny for a full picture!

Piss off Heffo, it was a genuine question in the spirit of the thread direction, I for on don't believe the game will be decided by forwards. Dublin have an excellent defence with a massive work rate, Kerry's defence has had question marks all season and have given up plenty of goal chances. I believe they will give up goal chances against Dublin.

For me defences win championships.

[cadence]

i agree with what's been said. i think kerry will have to have a better day defensively than in some of their previous games. i just don't see them being able to score the numbers they have been able to up to this point and so they'll need to keep dublin at arm's length. dubs could have a stinker and kerry could play well and then it will hardly count if kerry don't defend that well, but dublin are battle-hardened, so i don't think they'll be flaky. i'd be interested to see what kerry's tactics are on the day. the kerry insistance on sticking to their beliefs and principles might be their undoing. but if that happens i'm sure they'd be gracious losers.

[Zulu]

Paul Flynn would make my team before the highly overrated, not to mention out of form, Donaghy. Galvin isn't starting so he doesn't come into the reckoning but even if he did he hasnt done enough this year to oust flynn.

If you were going on this years form alone then you could be right, but otherwise Galvin & Donaghy have done too much to be ousted by someone who is potentially an all-star this year.

I accept that donaghy (to a degree) and Galvin have done more over their careers than Flynn but I wouldn't pick a team on what a man did two years ago, I'd pick a team on what he has done recently and by that criteria there is no debate about flynn's start spot. It's only a bit of craic anyway but IMO Flynn is as worthy a start as any of the forwards mentioned.

By the way, since all the dubs seemed to be determined to avoid any appearance of confidence in their team I'll fill the breach!! I expect Dublin to win this game as Kerry have been fairly average all year and if they weren't wearing the green and gold few would give them a chance.

[heffo]

Paul Flynn would make my team before the highly overrated, not to mention out of form, Donaghy. Galvin isn't starting so he doesn't come into the reckoning but even if he did he hasnt done enough this year to oust flynn.

If you were going on this years form alone then you could be right, but otherwise Galvin & Donaghy have done too much to be ousted by someone who is potentially an all-star this year.

By the way, since all the dubs seemed to be determined to avoid any appearance of confidence in their team I'll fill the breach!! I expect Dublin to win this game as Kerry have been fairly average all year and if they weren't wearing the green and gold few would give them a chance.

I don't think anyone is really trying to play down our chances - I would genuinely say Kerry are four three/four point favourites.

I think we've a good chance though - as Dinny said, we don't know what to expect from either midfield and if Dublin can get their matchups in defence right then we've a decent chance.

Kerry going into a final only playing average is irrelevant though imo - they've shown time and again that they can hit top performance when required.

The analysis on Monday will be either that Kerry's 'old guard' had the legs run around them by a hungrier Dublin or it'll be the same as after the Hurling when there will be interviews with Tomas O'Se, Tom O'Sullivan talking about how hurt they were after the Down game last year and then being written off spurred them into destroying the Brogans etc.

At the moment I'm far too busy with tickets and calls about tickets to worry about Sunday and that seems to be the same for most Dublin fans - it'll settle down by Friday hopefully.

[Zulu]

I agree heffo, Kerry do know how to produce on the big days but I don't know that their best is much better than the best of 3 or 4 other teams, including Dublin. Dinny asked how would make the back 6 and midfield, well O'Carroll and O'Sullivan would and Ger Brennan would get the nod over Brosnan, though Brennan is no great shakes either. Therefore Dublin match up well against this Kerry team, they have a good age profile so I expect Dublin to perform and if they do they have a real chance IMO.

[Declan]

More questions marks over the Dubs than Kerry who've done it on the big stage when it's mattered most. Darragh O Sé has been fairly spot on this year I think and he says Kerry by 5 which to my mind is about right. We have a punchers chance as they say in boxing but if it goes the distance you'd have to fancy Kerry.
Dubs by KO

[Frank Casey]

Alot of talk about Galvin not named to start and whether this is a yerra yerra. Jack O'Connor has not tended to go down this route and I think holding him until perhaps half time does make some sense. Getting 35 minutes at full tilt from Paul and the lift to crowd and colleagues when he comes on is worth something.

Would hope to see a 2011 version of the below around 5.00pm and am very tempted by the 2-1 on Kerry -3pts with Boylesports.