Dublin GAA Discussion Thread MOD WARNING POST #2944

ProudDUB

BKWDR wrote: »

Its hard to argue against Dean being on a championship 15 as he was the top scorer in the league. I think Jim has passed the responsibility of the free taking fully to Rock. I only recall Cluxton kicking that one in the final and not others (open to correction - although does it have something to do with Cluxton's heavy leg strapping?)

You could argue that he contributes nothing to open play but in fairness i don't recall after a game thinking , 'jesus dean rock cost us that game'. I think he plays his role well and was decent at both man marking and tracking back when needed. If he hadn't scored 1-52 in the league if might be a discussion, but i think he's done enough to earn a shout

But that is part of the problem. We don't leave games thinking "jayzus, we had that game won if Deano didn't miss that goal chance" because he never actually attempts to score goals. I've been to every single game this year, including the O'B Cup ones. I can't remember seeing him take one shot at goal. (The one goal he has scored, was a tap in from a move that O'Gara started and created.) For a full forward who has started 12 or 13 games this year, that is shocking, even if his free taking is impeccable.

If CC, BB, DC, Kev Mc, O'Gara etc etc are missing shots, or having them blocked down, or saved, at least they are giving it a go. Rock never does. It's not just about scoring from open play, its about making a contribution from open play. The other forwards (especially O'Gara and Andrews) are out on the wing, taking on their man and winning dirty ball and sending the ball inside. Or they are making runs out to the wing and taking their man with them (usually their best defender if its Berno) and creating space & chances for others. Or they are making runs up the middle & causing chaos, like Kev Mc & MDMA. They are trying to create something. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, sometimes they win a free out of it all.

What is Rock trying to do and create in his position? Surely there is more to it than standing on the 45, waiting for someone else to win the free, that he is going to tap over and get the credit for scoring? When does ever win frees of his own? He didn't win any on Sunday. Berno and Kev Mc won them. In the absence of O'Gara, he'll definitely start this year. But next year, when O'Gara is back, CC has another year at senior level under his belt, McHugh is around, Kilkenny is back to full fitness, Mannion is back, the U21's start to come through...what then? I'd be looking over his shoulder if I were him. I'm honestly not having a go at him. His contributions of the bench in 2013 were truly epic. I just wish he had swagger now, that he had then.

BKWDR

ProudDUB wrote: »

I just wish he had swagger now, that he had then.

I will agree that yes, he seems to have developed a settled role in the team and if Jim is happy for him to play that then who are we to question? As a player you can only do what is asked of you by management. Sometimes it's not pretty. Brogan might have a howler of a day(s) but you know he's there to get you that goal or free. The thing with Dean is that he's been consistent, if anything. You have to remember Gavin is picking Dean ahead of Brogan to take frees, that speaks volumes.

The team will be made up of all different style of players, yes you will have the full forwards who will win you that dirty ball, BB and KMC (and EOG) do that best but i do believe there is a place for Rock on the team list for the championship, after all it is very hard to argue against his points tally and i reckon from the start of the season on he's proved enough to warrant a shout.

What is the situation in relation to Cluxton's right knee?

Kavrocks

pajero12 wrote: »

Dean Rock, He contributes absolutely nothing to open play, The days of carrying a free taker are gone imo, With Connolly, Brogan and Cluxton there, Free taking duties are well catered for.

Even last year with Connolly, Brogan and Cluxton we missed a lot more frees than Dean has this year.

I really don't see how anybody can argue against the inclusion of Dean in the team. With him we are guaranteed to score every scoreable free. In these days of blanket defences and with us certainly going to have beat some blanket defences an impeccable free-taker like Dean is invaluable. Dean does contribute from open play. In the final he scored 3 points from play and won 2 of the frees he scored. 5 points direct from his contribution to open play.

Stoner

Past30Now wrote:

Bastick/Fenton are a very good option in midfield. I see Jim going with Bastick initially, but if Fenton continues his rate of progress he'll pass Bastick by.

I'm very impressed with Fenton but I don't think he's near fully cooked yet. Bastic puts serious hits in early in the game I think he saps the energy out of the opposition, he produced some serious hits against Cork. He's are new Dave Foran IMHO, what happens if Kildare get good again!
Himself and MDMA seem to have a great relationship, you could see how happy MDMA was when Bastic was brought on, it is a little like the natural order is restored.

I don't know about Rock either, I've seen him spot the runner early and do nothing about it a good few times, B Brogan works harder to get the ball back then he does.

He is a player that could kick 3 or 4 points from play against a blanket defence, he's willing to be the player to get on the end of a patient buildup, he will attempt to score. I don't see him as a goal scorer either but he is possibly our best long distance point taker when on form, but he can slow things up and does not work to get the ball back like the others guys around him do.

I think KK will start and continue through the championship, he's getting better each game and I think he'll continue to get better.

Is there a place for Brennan? We'd have liked him last summer anyway.

ProudDUB

Kavrocks wrote: »

Even last year with Connolly, Brogan and Cluxton we missed a lot more frees than Dean has this year.

I really don't see how anybody can argue against the inclusion of Dean in the team. With him we are guaranteed to score every scoreable free. In these days of blanket defences and with us certainly going to have beat some blanket defences an impeccable free-taker like Dean is invaluable. Dean does contribute from open play. In the final he scored 3 points from play and won 2 of the frees he scored. 5 points direct from his contribution to open play.

How about the argument that we won 2 All Irelands, multiple Leinster titles and two back to back leagues with the frees being taken by other players. I'm not sure that our free scoring rations are so bad, that we have to carry a player for his frees alone. When was the last big champo game that we lost, because our free taker had a bad day at the office? BB and Cluxton had a mare against Donegal last year, but did they miss 7 frees between them, which was the scoring difference on the day? I haven't rewached the game back and never will, so I'll be relying on yer honesty for that. :P

As for Sunday, this is my take on the free winning. (The other half just re watched it for the first time, so I provided the pen and paper.)

Free 1 5 mins CK won it
Free 2 12 mins CK won it
Free 3 20 mins BB won it
Free 4 41 mins Kev Mc won it/ref played the advantage
Free 5 55 mins BB won it, or the Cork lad touched the ball on the ground, OH's Irish ain't good enough to know
Free 6 63 mins either Kev Mc won it, or CC won one about 5 seconds earlier and the ref played the advantage
Free 7 67 mins BB won it

According to the wireless on Sunday, Rock had scored 1-6 from play, coming into the game. His 3 pts on the day, made it 1-9 for the entire league. I'm sorry lads, but its a poor enough return from playing all 70 minutes, in all 9 games, especially when you got a good run out in the O'Byrne Cup just before. I am not arguing against his inclusion this year at all. I trust Jim Gavin. I just wonder if his over all contributions from play, as well as his speed and his work rate (that others have also mentioned) could impact his ability to hang onto that starting jersey on a long term basis, given the incredibly stiff competition for places.

Gael85

Dublin have used 35 players in 9 League games.Appearances+Subs for 2015 League Games

Cooper, Jonny 9
McManamon, Kevin 9
Rock, Dean 9
McCaffrey, Jack 8+1
Brady, Tomas 7+2
Bastic, Denis 8
Kilkenny, Ciaran 6+2
McMahon, Philip 6+2
O'Carroll, Rory 7
Brogan, Bernard 5+2
Small, John 5+2
Costello, Cormac 3+4
Fenton, Brian 3+4
Cluxton, Stephen 6 (4 Clean Sheets. Conceded 1 Goal)
Culligan, Eoin 6
McCarthy, James 3+3
O'Conghaile, Emmett 2+4
Connolly, Diarmuid 5
Flynn, Paul 4+1
Daly, Darren 3+2
O'Gara, Eoghan 3+2
O'Sullivan, Cian 3+2
Andrews, Paddy 1+4
Fitzsimons, Michael 2+2
Byrne, Davy (Ballymun) 1+3
Currie, Sean 3 (2 Clean Sheets. Conceded 1 Goal)
Carthy, Shane 2+1
Macauley, Michael Darragh 2+1
Byrne, David (Olafs) 1+2
Devereux, Nicky 1+2
Lowndes, Eric 1+2
Reddin, Ciaran 0+2
Deegan, Michael 0+1
McHugh, Conor 0+1
Ryan, Philip 0+1

Dublin have scored 8-131 and conceded 4-101 in 9 League games. Scorers 2015 League Games

Rock, Dean 1-52
Brogan, Bernard 2-8
McCaffrey, Jack 1-7
Brady, Tomas 0-8
McManamon, Kevin 0-8
Connolly, Diarmuid 1-5
Kilkenny, Ciaran 0-7
Fenton, Brian 1-3
Flynn, Paul 0-5
McMahon, Philip 0-5
Costello, Cormac 1-2
O'Conghaile, Emmett 0-4
O'Gara, Eoghan 0-4
Bastic, Denis 1-1
Andrews, Paddy 0-3
Byrne, Davy (Ballymun) 0-2
Carthy, Shane 0-2
Cooper, Jonny 0-2
Deegan, Michael 0-1
Macauley, Michael Darragh 0-1
Ryan, Philip 0-1

Dublin have used 34 players in 5 O'Byrne Cup games.Appearances+Subs for 2015 O'Byrne Cup

Brady, Tomas 5
Culligan, Eoin 5
Devereux, Nicky 5
O'Conghaile, Emmett 5
Rock, Dean 5
Small, John 5
Daly, Darren 5
Fitzsimons, Michael 4+1
Bastick, Denis 4
O'Gara, Eoghan 4
Hannigan, Graham 3+1
Ryan, Philip 2+2
Carthy, Shane 1+3
Scully, Niall 0+4
Costello, Cormac 3
McManamon, Kevin 3
Molloy, Lorcan 3 (1 Clean Sheet)
Collins, Niall 2+1
O'Carroll, Rory 2+1
Cooper, Jonny 1+2
Dawson, Harry 1+2
Lowndes, Stuart 0+3
Currie, Sean 2 (1 Clean Sheet)
McCaffrey, Jack 1+1
Dunleavy, Craig 1+1
Deegan, Michael 0+2
Kavanagh, Ian 0+2
Macauley, Michael Darragh 0+2
O'Higgins, Paddy 0+2
McCarrick, Alan 0+1
McGowan, Ross 0+1
McGuire, Conor 0+1
McLoughlin, Diarmuid 0+1
McMahon, Philip 0+1

Dublin have scored 3-80 and conceded 3-43 in 5 O'Byrne Cup games. Scorers 2015 O'Byrne Cup Games

Rock, Dean 0-38
O'Gara, Eoghan 2-7
McManamon, Kevin 1-6
Brady, Tomas 0-7
O'Conghaile, Emmett 0-6
Carthy, Shane 0-5
Ryan, Philip 0-3
Costello, Cormac 0-2
Deegan, Michael 0-2
Cooper, Jonny 0-1
Culligan, Eoin 0-1
McLoughlin, Diarmuid 0-1
Scully, Niall 0-1

Gael85

Jim Gavin managerial Championship/League record played 38 won 29 drawn 3 lost 6 scored 54-612(774) conceded 30-458(548)

2014 Championship Played 5 Won-4 Drawn-0 Lost-1 Scored 9-105(132) Conceded 5-63(78)
2013 Championship Played 6 Won-6 Drawn-0 Lost-0 Scored 13-99(138) Conceded 5-71(86)
2015 League Played 9 Won-6 Drawn-1 Lost-2 Scored 8-131(155) Conceded 4-101(113)
2014 League Played 9 Won-6 Drawn-1 Lost-2 Scored 14-138(180) Conceded 11-117(150)
2013 League Played 9 Won-7 Drawn-1 Lost-1 Scored 10-139(169) Conceded 5-106(121)

corny

Stoner wrote: »

Is there a place for Brennan? We'd have liked him last summer anyway.

Last season he would have been just another defender asked to perform in the high wire act. Gooch (and the Meath lad in 2013 whose name escapes me) showed he isn't at his best one on one when there's a huge amount of space around him.

This year Gavin has the centre back playing as a spare man primarily to stop dangerous runners. Brennans great at that. Very tidy at moving the ball forward at pace too which helps when you funnel men back.

Definitely a place for him if gets back to where he was but he'll have to prove it first of course.

On Dean Rock? I think he's worth persevering with. Definitely lacks mobility but if they can work him into a game plan he's worth his weight in gold from the dead ball.

Given that, its no surprise he's played a lot of games.

Stoner

corny wrote:

Last season he would have been just another defender asked to perform in the high wire act. Gooch (and the Meath lad in 2013 whose name escapes me) showed he isn't at his best one on one when there's a huge amount of space around him.

Michael Newman?

Well if we are to believe some stories the players decided to go forward and leave so few at the back and the manager just took the blame . Certainly McMahon was screaming for lads to fill the space. Maybe Brennan would have arranged things better.


It's a done deal now. But he has a place on the panel imo certainly he plays well against AOS when we meet Mayo.

Dean can on a given day fit very well in with forward play. He's often the one with the balls to shoot from distance.

He's just doesn't do turnovers or defend as well as the others, but he's very good from the deadball and I prefer him taking them to any of the other outfield players.
I think connolly called Cluxton up to take the free last week purely to frustrate Cork.

Things have been quite too wrt the off the ball incidents on McMahon and Connelly.

Meath Centre Forward

corny wrote: »

Last season he would have been just another defender asked to perform in the high wire act. Gooch (and the Meath lad in 2013 whose name escapes me) showed he isn't at his best one on one when there's a huge amount of space around him.

I presume he means Stephen Bray. Brayer skinned all round him in 2013. Brennan, Cooper, O'Carroll. I wouldn't be too harsh on Brennan. Bray is good.

Stoner

Correct, I got mixed up. I think the lads I mentioned was top scorer for meath for a championship game after that but was quite on the day.

Bray is a flyer that day alright.

Collie D

Conversation a couple of pages back regarding Parnell passes. They're on sale at the moment. Says renewals only and general sale on the 11th but when I bought my two I was never asked for any evidence I was a renewal and another friend bought his for first time before I renewed.

BKWDR

Collie D wrote: »

Conversation a couple of pages back regarding Parnell passes. They're on sale at the moment. Says renewals only and general sale on the 11th but when I bought my two I was never asked for any evidence I was a renewal and another friend bought his for first time before I renewed.

Off to investigate the PP again now, see if its worth my while!

Nice heads up

Kavrocks

Collie D wrote: »

Conversation a couple of pages back regarding Parnell passes. They're on sale at the moment. Says renewals only and general sale on the 11th but when I bought my two I was never asked for any evidence I was a renewal and another friend bought his for first time before I renewed.

I bought two (first time) on 29th April. I wasn't asked anything about renewing, haven't heard or received anything since they took my money though so didn't want to mention it.

ProudDUB

Collie D wrote: »

Conversation a couple of pages back regarding Parnell passes. They're on sale at the moment. Says renewals only and general sale on the 11th but when I bought my two I was never asked for any evidence I was a renewal and another friend bought his for first time before I renewed.

I wasn't asked for any proof during the online transaction either. But as they have the names and and addresses of current PP holders on file from last year, they can tell who is renewing and who is buying them for the first time. Maybe they will only process the transaction for new purchases after the 11th? It doesn't look like it though, from your post. Strange system all the same....

DoctaDee

ProudDUB wrote: »

I wasn't asked for any proof during the online transaction either. But as they have the names and and addresses of current PP holders on file from last year, they can tell who is renewing and who is buying them for the first time. Maybe they will only process the transaction for new purchases after the 11th? It doesn't look like it though, from your post. Strange system all the same....

Yeah I had the same experience as everyone too ... am I right in thinking at last years renewal you had to give yer name, club & ticket number ?.. seems that the whole process has regressed to me ..

Was chatting with a lad in the ticket office a while back and he was saying that the PP Stand tickets were just about oversubscribed, whereas the terrace has a good few available. I'm guessing that if it was down to DCB they wouldn't refuse a penny - but the season ticket/PP quotas are directly controlled by Central Council ?

ProudDUB

I've never been made to give a club affiliation, either when I bought the PP online, or when I bought it at the ticket office in Dorset St. I have a vague memory of seeing a place on the online purchase page where you fan fill in your club affiliation if you want to. But you don't have to if you don't want to, or you aren't a member of a club. It won't prevent the sale from going through.

DoctaDee

Oh absolutely @ club affiliation PD I'd never have that as a restriction .. PP holders were in general hardcore fans anyways, tended to mooch around the county club scene also. Speaking of which .. I see Dean Rock scored 1-6 (1-5 from placed balls) and Bernard 2-7 (2-6 from play) in the 1st round of champo .. sorta speaks volumes of their differing scoring threats at Inter County level also..

thinkstoomuch1

Cork play Dublin senior football challenge Sunday
I'll post report is after game for ye

DoctaDee

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

Cork play Dublin senior football challenge Sunday
I'll post report is after game for ye

Cheers TTM .. where's that being played ?

You were one of the 1st I remember extolling the virtues of Ger Cunningham being appointed hurling manager - me being more of a football supporter - I wonder if you can see Gers influence taking hold in the current set up? From the outside looking in, it appears to me that the quality of their stick work in particular has improved immeasurably and most on here were hugely encouraged by the league campaign without ultimately capturing the prize ..

thinkstoomuch1

DoctaDee wrote: »

Cheers TTM .. where's that being played ?

You were one of the 1st I remember extolling the virtues of Ger Cunningham being appointed hurling manager - me being more of a football supporter - I wonder if you can see Gers influence taking hold in the current set up? From the outside looking in, it appears to me that the quality of their stick work in particular has improved immeasurably and most on here were hugely encouraged by the league campaign without ultimately capturing the prize ..

Cil na matyra mid cork

If any ye lads are travelling let me know I'll post directions for ye

Absolutely I see two major things this year

There's a fresh energy in Dublin than daly last year as not against daly but I said last year out grew Dublin
The touch the crisp hurling the movement of Dublin is much better and Dublin playing a possession game still will have bad days but only five months in will improve and Dublin will be fine under cunningham and also wouldn't under estimated the huge huge influence ex mayo coach cork man brilliant well proven ed coughlan and talks noel furlong if true could be joining back room team some time

Dublin hurling imo will be a work progress but have well proven modern day tactical astute management

ProudDUB

Cill a matyra? Is that the name of a GAA club TTM? What town is it near?

Speaking of clubs, don't forget that St Brigids are hosting the Dubs Open Day @ 7pm tonight. Bring your brollys. I'm in Blanch SC now and its fair bucketin' down.

Pierce_1991

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

Cil na matyra mid cork

If any ye lads are travelling let me know I'll post directions for ye

Absolutely I see two major things this year

There's a fresh energy in Dublin than daly last year as not against daly but I said last year out grew Dublin
The touch the crisp hurling the movement of Dublin is much better and Dublin playing a possession game still will have bad days but only five months in will improve and Dublin will be fine under cunningham and also wouldn't under estimated the huge huge influence ex mayo coach cork man brilliant well proven ed coughlan and talks noel furlong if true could be joining back room team some time

Dublin hurling imo will be a work progress but have well proven modern day tactical astute management

I like your posts but you need to implement more commas and full stops. :P

DoctaDee

ProudDUB wrote: »

Cill a matyra? Is that the name of a GAA club TTM? What town is it near?

Speaking of clubs, don't forget that St Brigids are hosting the Dubs Open Day @ 7pm tonight. Bring your brollys. I'm in Blanch SC now and its fair bucketin' down.

At a loose end tonight .. was gonna go in to SFC in da nell or up the road for an IFC game (both been called off) .. not a ball been kicked tonight Raheny, Vins, Scoil Ui & Syls are all off

Edit .. add Lucan/Castleknock to the list

zetecescort

ProudDUB wrote: »

Cill a matyra? Is that the name of a GAA club TTM? What town is it near?

Speaking of clubs, don't forget that St Brigids are hosting the Dubs Open Day @ 7pm tonight. Bring your brollys. I'm in Blanch SC now and its fair bucketin' down.

Cill na Martra, near Macroom and part of the Cork Gaeltacht. Home club of Noel O'Leary

http://gaa.cillnamartra.net/

ProudDUB

Cheers TTM. Gotta go to Limerick this weekend, so may take a wee detour.

Folks, don't let the weather put ye off heading down to Brigits. They are using the gym for the player meet & greets.

DoctaDee

Fingallians wont have to worry about the heartbreak of losing a IFC Final for the 3rd year - beaten tonight in the 1st round by Finbarrs AET 4-12 to 1-16

thinkstoomuch1

ProudDUB wrote: »

Cheers TTM. Gotta go to Limerick this weekend, so may take a wee detour.

Folks, don't let the weather put ye off heading down to Brigits. They are using the gym for the player meet & greets.

No problem very welcome proud
From limerick not far off one hour forty five I suppose
If you dont know the area head for charville, Kanturk aera on milstreet in to Macroom. Good roads
The sat nav will pick it up

Billy Mays

Has anyone received their parnell pass in the post yet. Must be nearly two weeks since I renewed mine and I haven't got it yet

DoctaDee

Nope no sign of it yet - think they gave a lead time of 10 days

DoctaDee

A win for Dublin over Cork in the challenge game in Cil na Martra 1-15 to 2-7

mjp

Who do people see as jim's 6 starting forwards this year? Competition for places is going to be greater than it ever was. With the exception of connolly and Flynn I think the 4 other places are up for grabs. Dean Rock's scoring form during the league coming out with 1-52 means he must surely start leinster championship at least and see how he fares out. With rock's accuracy from frees and this responsibility being taken off him I think Bernard brogan may struggle to nail down a starting spot in the side. Ciaran kilkenny looks to be coming back to his form showed in 2013 and will be pushing hard for a starting spot also.

Plenty of headaches ahead for jim Gavin and co. by looks of it

ProudDUB

I don't think that we will have the same six starting forwards all summer long.

Flynn, Connolly, BB, Kev Mc, Rock are all nailed on starters, if fit. Alan Brogan, Cormac Costello, Andrews and Kilkenny getting the other spot, or coming off the bench on a rotating basis, based on:

- who we are playing.....different opponents call for different skill sets. I think that Costello is a bit too slight for the very tough, physical games.
- who is in form in training.......only Jim Gavin knows that.
- who is injured......there is no way we'll go thru the entire summer with all of our forwards 100% fit.
- who was on fire in the game before......we won't know that until the champo actually commences.
- who does or doesn't have the legs for the full 70 minutes in a game that is expected to be exceptionally high tempo.....Alan Brogan could be a bit iffy there.
- who are the leaders when the you know what is hitting the fan, in the really big games?

If previous years are anything to go by, we'll have at least 10 forwards starting games. Whatever about who starts, it is the six forwards who end the game, that are becoming increasingly more important.

CurryFlavoured

Flynn and Connolly are 100% certs, as is BB probably although he isn't as nailed on as he once was. My other 3 would be Kev Mc (Mr. reliable), Andrews (target man) and either Kilkenny or Rock, neither of which have blown me away yet. It's a pity Mannion is away and Costello hasn't pushed on, our forward line doesn't look as scary as it looked like it was going to turn out to be. It would be magic if Alan Brogan got back into form because we need a #11, but at 33 (?) after a few injuries I'm probably being unrealistic.

salmocab

Although he's been in great form I wonder will Kev Mc be used as a sub, I love seeing him come off the bench and really destroy tired defenses. Its probably harsh and unfair on such a good player but he is a real game changer off the bench.

Kavrocks

For anybody interested my Parnell Park Passes arrived today. I ordered them on 1st May.

DoctaDee

I can understand all the fuss around the flair and attack minded players but much like 2011 and the role that Bryan Cullen performed I'd be very surprised judged on what I've witnessed so far if Tomás Brady doesn't see a fair degree of championship football. I would be in agreement with ProudDub that the type of game and opposition will dictate the selection.

ProudDUB

salmocab wrote: »

Although he's been in great form I wonder will Kev Mc be used as a sub, I love seeing him come off the bench and really destroy tired defenses. Its probably harsh and unfair on such a good player but he is a real game changer off the bench.

I'm not sure if we can afford the luxury of using him as a sub. If 2013 was the perfect storm of attacking forwards, a lot has changed since then. O'Gara is gone, Andrews fitness and form are some what in question, so are Berno's, Mannion is away, Costello is incredibly talented, but he is very light and still a year or two away from possibly being a marquee forward, Rock doesn't offer much of a scoring threat from open play, nor does Brady, Cullen has retired. Given all that, can we afford to have Kev Mc on the bench for 50 minutes a game? Things are fine on the half forward line, but it's a different story up front.

CurryFlavoured

DoctaDee wrote: »

I can understand all the fuss around the flair and attack minded players but much like 2011 and the role that Bryan Cullen performed I'd be very surprised judged on what I've witnessed so far if Tomás Brady doesn't see a fair degree of championship football. I would be in agreement with ProudDub that the type of game and opposition will dictate the selection.

I haven't got to watch much GAA this year, but if Brady is playing well I'd be up for him playing wing forward and moving Connolly to #11. It wouldn't do any harm having another grafter and it might suit considering our forward options have thinned out a bit.

ProudDUB

PP arrived today. It's purple, so no more giving it to the Dublin Bus driver, thinking it's me Leap Card.

mjp

Thinking of having a punt on dean rock @4/1 for championship top scorer. He's been averaging 6 points a game during the league finishing top scorer with 1-52. He is going to have 3 matches in provincial championship and would end up playing 6 if dubs make it to final. His main challengers all have serious questionmarks hanging over them.

Cillian o connor looks to be out for provincial semi against galway after knee operation and will play considerably less matches. Don't fancy mayo to progress past quarters/ semis.

Kerry's scoring threat I feel will be shared between Gooch james o donohue Brian Sheehan and Paul Geaney and difficult to see who will be their main threat.

Biggest threat I see is Cork's colm o neill who was free scoring and joint top scorer in the league with dean rock. He can be backed at 14/1 in powers for top scoring honours.

thinkstoomuch1

mjp wrote: »

Thinking of having a punt on dean rock @4/1 for championship top scorer. He's been averaging 6 points a game during the league finishing top scorer with 1-52. He is going to have 3 matches in provincial championship and would end up playing 6 if dubs make it to final. His main challengers all have serious questionmarks hanging over them.

Cillian o connor looks to be out for provincial semi against galway after knee operation and will play considerably less matches. Don't fancy mayo to progress past quarters/ semis.

Kerry's scoring threat I feel will be shared between Gooch james o donohue Brian Sheehan and Paul Geaney and difficult to see who will be their main threat.

Biggest threat I see is Cork's colm o neill who was free scoring and joint top scorer in the league with dean rock. He can be backed at 14/1 in powers for top scoring honours.

Colm o Neill hasn't unfortunately a hope of winning this as yes maybes v clare he will get a big score however cork won't beat kerry and kerry will have colm well marked with a well planned defence system and unfortunately colm won't have possession from midfield or half forwards to create space for him
Last year v sligo he got ten points and has the ability to so against teams like that that simply won't have the players to hold him or hurley and cork will also have possession so he could score but as last year showed when up against better teams he won't get enough ball or fast ball he'll struggle


And it's highly unlikely cork will get past an all Ireland Semi final
Depending who they meet it could be an early season
At best cork imo have clare then kerry then a qualifier quatre final then
So your possibly looking at four games but it's a huge ask to expect colm score a lot when you take kerry out of that
Dublin have a lot of handy games in leinster and even against blanket defences such is their game plan and midfield their ace forward could still score three points those games as he will be brought in to the game
Cillan o Connor won it last year and the reason was even though didn't get to a final the replay v kerry gave him the extra game the final would have and also the year before and also year before that when mcfadden won it all those two years both teams got to an all Ireland final
When your backing a player here to win this your trying to pick a top forward but one who team will get to the all Ireland final and the very least a all Ireland Semi final as the last three years winners proved
That imo rules colm out as it's very hard to see cork based on what we saw this league be at the latter stages of the all Ireland championship



Dublin beat clare last night in a challenge in clare 4-14 to 0-14

One of the best forwards in the game imo better than rock by a large mark is bigger odds as bookies know too well colm isn't supported by a team where rock could very well win it as he's well supported by he's team
Colm odds are so high for a reason and it really shows when such a talent would make any team in Ireland is such long odds it shows more imo odds reflection of cork than actually colm talents itself as colm was with Dublin or kerry he'd win it

ProudDUB

mjp wrote: »

Thinking of having a punt on dean rock @4/1 for championship top scorer. He's been averaging 6 points a game during the league finishing top scorer with 1-52. He is going to have 3 matches in provincial championship and would end up playing 6 if dubs make it to final. His main challengers all have serious questionmarks hanging over them.

If you were to base it on points per game, he'd be a good bet, but last years top 5 scorers were from Mayo (O'Connor,) Sweeney, (Tipp,) Kingston, (Laois,) Quigley (Fermanagh) and Walsh (Galway.) So if you were looking to do an each way bet, I'd be putting a few bob on someone coming thru the qualifiers.

thinkstoomuch1

ProudDUB wrote: »

If you were to base it on points per game, he'd be a good bet, but last years top 5 scorers were from Mayo (O'Connor,) Sweeney, (Tipp,) Kingston, (Laois,) Quigley (Fermanagh) and Walsh (Galway.) So if you were looking to do an each way bet, I'd be putting a few bob on someone coming thru the qualifiers.

I'd agree totally an each way bet any of those and maybe even small chance on colm at fourteen as dan Goulding got one twenty seven three years ago to be up among the top
However as for winning outright colm has little chance as your team must give you a platform

mjp

Yeah have to agree with you regarding o neill as the max no of games he will have to get to a quarter final is 4 so will stay away from him. Powers are only firm going e/w on this market with 1/4 odds first 3. Sweeney at 50s and quigley at 40s would have a decent shout at those prices as can see the get a decent run in qualifiers based on form shown in league to date and may well face some poor div 3/ div 4 sides at that early stage. Looser of donegal tyrone game on Sunday should get a good run in qualifiers as they will be playing poor enough opposition unless draw is cruel to them and going on previous years a run in qualifiers will get you up near top of charts.
Problem with tyrone is that they have no huge scorer in chief with mc curry and sean cavanagh their scorers in chief but they tend to have a wide spread of scorers. Mc curry is available at 33s if interested.
Michael murphy is available at 25s with powers which looks decent value seeing as donegal should get a good few games this year however the doubt with murphy is how close to goal he will play and what his role will be in gallaghers gameplan.

As a word of warning if your backing in powers the prices on a number of players have been flip flopping every hour. E.g murphy is changing from 25/1 to 15/2 every 50 mins. This looks to be a glitch on powers pricing. If backing anyone you can check out the times of price changes through oddschecker and avail of top price

MoscowFlyer

Can anyone tell me the score in the St Oliver plunketts hurly game?

Slattsy

MoscowFlyer wrote: »

Can anyone tell me the score in the St Oliver plunketts hurly game?

Plunketts won.

Plunketts 1-16 v Colmcille 0-08

Bret Hart

Longford have just beaten Offaly in Tullamore by 3 points. So Longford it is in the QF at the end of the month.

I only wish we could play them in Longford like last time we met in the championship.

Kerrydude1981

Just seen that former Kerry hurler Darragh O Connell played in a challenge game for the Dubs against Tipp at the weekend,tidy hurler he is.

DDC1990

Big fan of his, but pretty surprised he got a look in with the Dublin team.

Delighted for him. Fine hurler, if a bit on the small size for the top level IMO.

Huge loss to Kerry, despite their success this year.