GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN HAVE adopted a particular role in modern Gaelic football. They are the springboard that propels other counties to an All-Ireland title.
On three occasions Tyrone have profited from the momentum gained by beating Dublin in the last eight – 2003, 2005 and 2008. Granted, Dublin halted that miserable run of defeats last season thanks to a wondrous gathering of points by Bernard Brogan and Eoghan O’Gara’s goal (also aided by a ravenous work ethic and, of course, 17 Tyrone wides).
But then, in the All-Ireland semi-final, it was Cork who beat Dublin to go on and finally capture Sam Maguire.
The same can be said about Armagh after the 2002 All-Ireland semi-final.
Just like Tyrone for their three All-Ireland titles, Kerry’s defeats of Dublin in 2004, 2007 and 2009 provided them with enough fuel to surge over that September finish line.
The only anomaly was Dublin’s collapse in the 2006 All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo.
That and last year’s victory over Tyrone being the only flaws in this theory.
“Last year’s result won’t count for much,” wrote Bernard Brogan on his Hill16.ie blog yesterday. “It was great to finally beat Tyrone and for older lads on the Dublin panel like my brother Alan, Barry Cahill and David Henry it was especially sweet because they have suffered a lot of tough days against Tyrone.
“We’ve all felt what it’s like to be beaten by Tyrone. But it doesn’t mean we can afford to work any less than we know we have to. You take confidence from the fact it is possible to beat a big team like Tyrone, but the reason we won the last time was because of a strong work ethic and that’s still the benchmark and it’s still up to us to work hard to create the chances.”
Brogan conceded the performance in the Leinster final against Wexford was unacceptable – which is perhaps a welcome contrast to previous campaigns when provincial opponents have failed to sufficiently prepare them for the Tyrone or Kerry challenge.
Brogan, in particular, stood out four weeks ago due to some uncharacteristic inaccuracy – something Tyrone appear to have eradicated from their game by registering 3-19 against Roscommon last Saturday.
“We know that we underperformed and got away with it against Wexford in the Leinster final and know we cannot afford another repeat performance or the summer is over,” Brogan added.
“Tyrone were very disappointed with their shooting against us in last year’s game and will try to be slicker up front – as will we after we missed a lot against Wexford.
“We know after losing to Cork last year that killing games off is an important weapon to have in the arsenal. We looked the better team against Cork last year for 60 minutes – but that’s ultimately useless and we have learnt the hard way that it’s being the best team over 70-plus minutes that matters most.”
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte and captain Brian Dooher were adamant, in the aftermath of their 11-point dismissal of Roscommon, that Dublin come into tomorrow night’s meeting as favourites.
“The game would be up at half-time if we produce that (first-half against Roscommon) display again and that’s not me blowing hot air to write ourselves off and talk up Dublin,” said Dooher this week. “They are a really good side. But this is where we wanted to be at the start of the championship. We have a chance to push on now, it’s up to us.
“We’d be happy if we get the result, even without the performance, but I don’t think we’ll get away with it again.”
Sitting underneath the Cusack Stand last Saturday evening, Harte was typically practical about the next move on the Gaelic football chess board, where he is a proven grandmaster.
“It’s not about what happened last year really, it is about what will happen this Saturday.”
Harte described Dublin as a more formidable side than the one that beat Tyrone 12 months previously but where does that leave his team? Seán Cavanagh’s 2-3 from midfield last weekend was confirmation he is returning to footballer of the year territory, while Dooher strode into the fray at half-time and everything seemed to touch off his gloves thereafter.
Also, in Enda McGinley, Owen Mulligan and Stephen O’Neill, Harte is holding tremendous firepower in reserve but Mark Donnelly, Peter Harte and Kyle Coney now have a taste for the main stage and know this is their chance to enhance their own burgeoning reputations.
“It is easy to speak of progress and being better when you have results going with you but it only takes one bad result to knock that on its head,” said Harte.
“The only time you know you are making real progress is in the third Sunday in September. If we are there I will tell you we are making real progress. If we are not there the other answer might be true.”
On that premise, Dublin have not made real progress since 1995. The sport’s dominant trio of Tyrone, Kerry and Cork have had an awful lot to do with that. Tomorrow’s game will tell us if the status quo has changed yet.
