Replying To essmac: "Agree 100%; lots of compliments in what you say, but you will still be attacked for not attributing Dublin's success primarily to their being footballing geniuses. On a separate point, a recent stat I read showed that around 96% of all new jobs are in Dublin. I've lost count of the number of GAA people i know from all over the country who are now all living and married in Dublin and now raising future Dubs fans and players. It's sad, and it's difficult to compete with that sort of centralised neoliberal economics which sees the rest of the country primarily as an unimportant labour pool for the capital."
96 per cent ??. So for every 20 new jobs 19 are in dublin. Come on now ! Does it need saving by any team. They have helped a change in team and mangers outlook over the last 4/5 years because they can be defensive at times and still put decent scoring averages that the more defensive mindend managers have had to concentrate on scoring more yo be able to compete.
Replying To Joxer: "I wonder why. Anyway, I'm hoping to enjoy the post build-up more than the build-up. More history awaits this record breaking Dublin team. I hope they do the four in a row because they deserve it, yes THEY not us the fans, although it's a nice side effect, but this bunch are legends on the pitch and gents off it. So I hope they do it for themselves. But if they don't then their record and successes will speak for themselves, the greatest panel to have played the game to date. Enjoy the game! Up the regional Dubs!!"
My knowledge of the sports science approach is not to be shared with a wider audience.
It'll be interesting to see what Tyrone try to do and how long their varied approach will be effective for.
Replying To Yourjoking: "They deserve it why? So there all great lads off the field so what we all can say that about our own lads. Greatest panel to have played the game how do you work that out? O Gara and MDMcG can hardly solo the ball they our shocking players to watch nobody would show a kid these players to base there game on. Football has changed its about fitness and athletes hence why MDMcG plays I've nothing against dublin but please football has changed this team our the fittest but that does not mean they have brilliant players all over the pitch."
You're joking is right. Just check their record but more than that, watch their performances. You say fitness, I say Cluxton, Brogan, McCarthy. You say O'Gara (a squad player), I say McCaffrey, Kilkenny, Connolly. These are undisputedly some of the finest fellas to don a jersey in the game. 27 championship games undefeated. Going for 6 AIs in a decade and 4 in a row. Leinsters and leagues coming out of their ears. If you don't believe what you see then you need to find another sport. Oh and can you give us details of the team who were better?
EOG won Dublin the 2013 AI when he came on for an injured P Mannion.
Had such an impact on the game Horan left Higgins (Mayo's best player at the time) on EOG even when he was obviously completely banjoed after pulling his hamstring, greatly impacting the quality available to Mayo breaking forward.
He may not be the most technically gifted player but he can kick off both feet and offers a completely different option to Dublin. He has great hands and the ball sticks to him.
He was unlucky in last years final as McCaffreys injury completely derailed Dublin's first half performance thus messing up the game plan and that badly impacted the quality of ball going into him.
EOG has caused many of the best defenses in the country plenty of trouble. 2013 AI final being the prime example.