BERNARD FLYNN'S WEEKEND VERDICT: Ty up O'Neill & Farrell may Hand Dublin unlikely win; TYRONE RELY TOO HEAVILY ON STEPHEN.Byline: BERNARD FLYNN Bernard Flynn is a retired inter-county Irish Gaelic footballer for County Meath in Ireland. He enjoyed much success play inter-county football in the eighty's & early ninety's on the Meath team's managed by Sean Boylan. For Meath he usually played at Full Forward. THE Dubs are back in town and, oh boy, do the GAA love having Dublin at the knock-out stages of the Championship. When the Dubs play, it's a full house - simple as that. This Sunday will be no different - 80,000 people for Dublin-Tyrone - this game will have a bit of spice, I can guarantee you that much. It's such a critical game for both teams' seasons - a must win for both; a defeat for either will hurt a great deal. Most people will fancy Tyrone; the theory 'Dublin are a poor side' is still flying round the place. So many people don't rate this team - I accept that they are not world beaters, but they have become exceptionally hard to defeat. They are now a team with great resolve, great heart and never-say-die attitude, that had been missing badly in recent years from Dublin teams. I do admit Leinster is not strong, quality wise, at present. How good Tyrone are I'm not so sure - I am a little confused at their Jekyll and Hyde Jekyll and Hyde 1. A slang term referring to the strengths and weaknesses of a company's financial statements. 2. An asset that suddenly increases or decreases in value. 3. form so far this year. They were poor against Cavan in the first game - very good in the first three quarters of both games against Armagh, only to totally collapse under pressure in the last quarter of both these matches. Their dependance on Stephen O'Neill is worrying - he has been truly magnificent this year - 2-7 last week against Monaghan was just par for the course. He has it all; even at this early stage, he is my Footballer of the Year Footballer of the Year may refer to:
Dublin do not have this problem of over-dependence - the workload up front is shared out Adj. 1. shared out - distributed in portions (often equal) on the basis of a plan or purpose divided up, shared, divided distributed - spread out or scattered about or divided up more evenly. However, they are lacking a top-class forward to do real damage on a consistent basis. A bit like a Premiership club who strive to get a 20-goal-a-year striker. Dublin have to work so hard to get the ball over the bar from general play. Tyrone score with a little less hardship. This is where the introduction of Senan Connell
Senan Connell is an Irish Gaelic footballer and Secondary School Teacher at St. and Dessie Farrell
Dessie Farrell is an Irish Gaelic footballer who played for Dublin. is vital, particularly Farrell's experience - to throw him in with his cuteness and ball winning ability could be the trump card. Games between Dublin and Tyrone tend to be fairly physical - both will rip into the other - there wouldn't be much love lost on either side. If Dublin are to win, they can't afford to lose their shape, in the way they did in the second half against Laois in the Leinster Final. It also happened against Meath and Wexford - they will not get away with their backs being so loose on their respective opponents. In the Laois game, their half back line were like juveniles in their application during the second half; also their midfield was run over by Clancy and Garvin far too easily. Tyrone will blow them away if they perform anything like they did in that horrible second half against Laois. Dublin need a commandingly assertive Paddy Christie
Paddy Christie, born in Dublin in 1976, is an Irish Gaelic footballer. - will the old Paddy Christie please return - as he would be a serious addition to the younger guys in there. Up front Dublin have Brian Cullen Brian Cullen (born November 11, 1933 in Ottawa, Ontario) is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward. Cullen started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1954. He also played for the New York Rangers. He left the NHL after the 1961 season. - doing the work of two or three. Tomas Quinn, Conal Keaney, Connie Moran and Alan Brogan must all up their play by 40 per cent, as they have been too in and out in the last couple of games. These four have been doing silly things in possession; they need to be more direct; they must go in a straight line when in possession, and at least draw the foul. You have to be mentally strong to do this. Quinn, Keaney, and Brogan are key to Dublin winning - big performances are a must from them; Tyrone's full back is suspect. I expect Dublin to be tighter, and more organised defensively than at any stage of the Championship. The Dublin defence must be prepared for a backlash from the likes of Dooher, McGuigan, Penrose and Mulligan, as they were all poor against Monaghan. As I have said all along, Ciaran Whelan must have the game of his life on Cavanagh. He must go forward a little more because Tyrone's midfield don't man mark. Tyrone will be up for this - some of their players are struggling with form, but they have been here before - they have the experience. I will go for Dublin; just, and only just, on the basis their six forward's will play like they have never done before - they must to win! VERDICT: Dublin by 2 - 3 points. CAPTION(S): KEY TO SUCCESS: Dublin's Dessie Farrell; OVER DEPENDENCE: Stephen O'Neill |
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