Cavanagh reckons Gavin has lost trust in some of his defenders

September 02, 2019

Dublin manager Jim Gavin. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy.

Sean Cavanagh believes Jim Gavin didn't think Philly McMahon or Cian O'Sullivan were up to the task of handling the Kerry forwards after they were unused subs in the drawn All-Ireland SFC final.

Speaking on The Sunday Game last night, the three-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone said: "It seems strange saying this but I actually feel Jim Gavin has more homework to do in the next two weeks than Kerry do.

"Watching the drawn game and seeing Jonny Cooper struggle and John Small being under pressure we all wondered would Kerry's attack take down Dublin's defence. Gavin didn't seem to trust Philly McMahon. We were waiting on Cian O'Sullivan to come in. He was slow to make changes.

"Does that tell you that he doesn't trust those guys to go in against the Kerry attackers?"

Looking ahead to the replay, Cavanagh added: "I think Kerry will improve. Paul Geaney will improve, David Clifford will improve. Okay, Dublin will also have guys that will improve too.

"All the talk before the match was about whether Tommy Walsh would start the match. I think they should have thrown him in earlier - at half-time at the very least. They could have even started him, taken him off and then brought him back on.

"When he did come on 1-2 came off him."  


Most Read Stories