Saturated but happy, Jack O’Connor stood in the pavilion in Austin Stacks park and emphasised the fact that whatever happens with Kerry, they are first and foremost a kicking team.
“We were very determined after last weekend we were going to move the ball quicker and get it in a bit more direct the forwards. For some reason halfway through the second half above in Newbridge we stopped moving the ball and went lateral. That is not our play or how we like to play. Much happier tonight. Considering the conditions, I think 1-14 was a great score in the first half.”
It was a fair assessment. The game was done and dusted when the teams trooped off at the break.
“Very happy, but boys I’m not getting carried away because it’s obvious Dublin were down a good bit of firepower and when they get them back they will be a different team later on.”
He nodded when alternative scenarios were put to him, including the series of goal chances Dublin concocted before the freakish goal by Dean Rock - the Ballymun man kicked for a point, which clipped both post and Kerry goalkeeper before ending up in the net - was disallowed for an off-the-ball foul.
“Yeah, look lads, maybe we got the breaks tonight despite missing the penalty. That disallowed goal was a huge turning point. To be honest with you, I thought at the time he would have to allow the goal. I didn’t think you could disallow a score retrospectively. But it was a hundred percent a black card, like. It’s a funny one.”
Dessie Farrell was equally mystified by the ruling on that moment but he didn’t make a big deal out of it. Farrell’s calmness during this period of heavy turbulence for his squad is exactly what Dublin need just now.
It’s his third season: he has two Leinster titles and an All-Ireland championship won even as a hugely seasoned and historically successful team began to disband. How people perceive Dublin just now is low on his list of priorities.
“Look, everyone has an opinion. There will be those who want to twist the knife, of course. And that is just part and parcel of Dublin’s legacy. It is just about the internal focus.
“Those players need plenty of love and care and nurturing and people who really understand where Dublin are at understands that too. You just have to give young players time.”
