It should be a great game, and I'm delighted to see another U21 Dublin side have a chance to lift the title, it's a timely boost and a number of Dublin players are showing promising potential.

The same can be said about Galway!

Both teams probably found their best performance of the year in their semi-final wins over Donegal/Kerry

I think tactics had a big part in Dublin's victory, and DF had his team absolutely prepared, but the lack of adequate rest time for Donegal could have definitely been a factor too

As such it does slightly put a question mark over Dublin's performance, it's a shame how it worked out for Donegal.

Galway were very impressive, and should have beaten a much fancied and highly praised Kerry setup by a larger margin

It was a great win for Galway football, seeing that they lost a minor AI final against Kerry not so long ago.

Credit to Kerry for playing to the end and scoring 1-2 late on when Galway put players behind the ball to see out the win instead of pushing on against 14 men.

It's a very difficult one to call, but as it stands my gut tells me that if Dublin defend as well as they did the last day, then Galway will find it very hard to beat Dublin, as there's great pace in this Dublin team on the counter, and if Dublin can turn over the same amount of ball, and get the ball into their FF line with pace, that Dublin have some talented players up there that will punish Galway.

I'd like to see Dublin setup in a similar fashion

But then again, you can say the exact same thing about Galway... that's what makes it so difficult to call

Has the makings of a great game and very much looking forward to it

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 18/04/2017 13:40:10    1980438

Gonna be tough for us especially after Galway bet the greatest under 21 team that never was. But we were written off by everyone in '14 before we played Roscommon so you never know. Also we have King Con they don't.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 18/04/2017 15:40:47    1980481

Should be a good game and sincerely wish both teams all the best. I am on Galway e/w at 10/1 so from a financial perspective will be cheering them on. I was really impressed with Dublin as I already alluded to in the other threads. Each player were very much clued in to their roles. They were sharp and accurate in their application and showed great character to come through adversity in the match. However the form does come with a little bit of a red flag making it a difficult game to weigh up. I don't think Donegal were anywhere near concert pitch and were weary in mind and body. To put into context on the 22nd of March Dublin played Longford in a Leinster semi final after previously beating Westmeath 3 weeks before. On the same night Donegal had to play Tyrone in very difficult conditions a week after playing the same opponents in a match that went to extra time. On the 29th of March both teams were scheduled to play again. Dublin defeated Offaly in a Leinster final when Donegal done all bar play their Ulster semi final which was called off at the last minute. This gave Dublin a 17 day break till last Saturdays game this followed a 21 day break from their initial outing against Westmeath on the 1st of March. While Dublin were on their 17 day break after the Leinster final, Donegal had to play an Ulster semi final, followed by an Ulster final, followed by the game last Saturday meaning Donegal had 3 games in 11 days and 5 in total over a 31 day period including a last minute postponement. Dublin had 3 games over 29 days and their entire schedule including last Saturday made it 4 games over 46 days. Added to the fact that none of the Dublin players played with the seniors while alot of the Donegal lads were playing for both the seniors and U-21's. You would think with all the furor about player burnout etc that they could have played the game tomorrow night instead but anyways its done now. From Saturday's evidence even with the extra time Dublin would still have been very difficult to beat which makes for a good final.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 18/04/2017 16:42:26    1980510

Dublin. Galway peaked emotionally for the Kerry game. The dubs won pulling up and very clinically against us.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 18/04/2017 16:54:05    1980516

EDH (Galway) - Posts: 367 - 18/04/2017 17:08:01    1980523

I see lots of talk about Galway's physicality against Kerry, I'll have to check but the majority of players used were from the last 2 minor teams so its not down to Galway been an older team.

D'Arcy was only a minor last year and I thought he was by far the most powerful midfielder on show. I thought he made a huge difference in the Sligo game when he came on and was outstanding against Kerry.

TheWestIsAwake (UK) - Posts: 529 - 18/04/2017 17:20:18    1980525

Difficult game to call. Dublin set up very defensively against Donegal and were hard to break down. If Galway forwards persist in going for goals it could be their undoing. A hesitant vote for Galway.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 18/04/2017 17:51:27    1980536

Tullamore it is

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 18/04/2017 18:29:12    1980541

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 18/04/2017 20:59:08    1980579

I love Tullamore, think I'll come down the night before :D

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8589 - 18/04/2017 21:46:01    1980606

How many of the dublin u21s were on the o byrne cup winning team,i know it was a pre- season competition but kildare and Louth fielded strong teams.two teams who went on to secure promotion in their respective divisions.the dubs made donegal look poor,aside from the 5 day turn around don't think donegal would have taken them.I think they will frustrate galway with the blanket,they have a matchwinner in o Callaghan on the break.

cornetto (Galway) - Posts: 223 - 18/04/2017 23:16:44    1980631

I'll be very interested to see how Dublin handle the Galway forwards. They were really excellent defensively against us, super impressive in putting us under pressure any time we got inside the 45.

Hopefully it should be a cracker and hopefully all the best players keep their heads and no silly black cards. Even though on the face of it Con getting black carded was good for us last weekend, part of me was also disappointed as I had yet to see him in the flesh.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 19/04/2017 15:10:52    1980823

It will be interesting to see the style of play Dublin use. I imagine Dessie would have ambitions to manage the senior team 1 day - it made sense playing very defensively against Donegal but to get the big job he will surely have to show he can win by playing open attacking football. If both teams really go at it next week then it should be a cracker.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 19/04/2017 17:48:54    1980867

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 19/04/2017 18:34:39    1980881

How many of the dublin u21s were on the o byrne cup winning team,i know it was a pre- season competition but kildare and Louth fielded strong teams.two teams who went on to secure promotion in their respective divisions.the dubs made donegal look poor,aside from the 5 day turn around don't think donegal would have taken them.I think they will frustrate galway with the blanket,they have a matchwinner in o Callaghan on the break.

cornetto (Galway) - Posts: 223 - 20/04/2017 02:16:37    1980991

How many of the dublin u21s were on the o byrne cup winning team,i know it was a pre- season competition but kildare and Louth fielded strong teams.two teams who went on to secure promotion in their respective divisions.the dubs made donegal look poor,aside from the 5 day turn around don't think donegal would have taken them.I think they will frustrate galway with the blanket,they have a matchwinner in o Callaghan on the break.

cornetto (Galway) - Posts: 223 - 20/04/2017 03:21:53    1981003

How many of the dublin u21s were on the o byrne cup winning team,i know it was a pre- season competition but kildare and Louth fielded strong teams.two teams who went on to secure promotion in their respective divisions.the dubs made donegal look poor,aside from the 5 day turn around don't think donegal would have taken them.I think they will frustrate galway with the blanket,they have a matchwinner in o Callaghan on the break.

cornetto (Galway) - Posts: 223 - 20/04/2017 12:48:19    1981112

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 20/04/2017 13:06:53    1981122

Evan Comerford is the only one who started against Donegal on Saturday and against Kildare in the O'Byrne Cup as far as I'm aware, Basquel came on as a sub against Kildare as well. Don't think anybody else featured in both games apart from those 2.

if_in_doubt (Kildare) - Posts: 3685 - 20/04/2017 13:34:15    1981135

Shane Clayton went off injured after 17mins in Ballybodens defeat to Plunkets.

Think I might stick a few bob on Plunkets this year to go all the way.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 21/04/2017 00:26:36    1981307