Best of the articles from old Res dubs site.
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Dublin v Fermanagh |
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Written by hill16a5section
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Monday, 26 March 2007 01:00 |
Fermanagh visited Parnell Park for the first time last Saturday, and after ending up on the wrong end of a 3-15 to 0-07 score line it’s safe to say they wont be waiting anxiously for a return visit to the Donnycarney venue.
Dublin, as is now their style, started the game in a hurry with Conal Keaney scoring his first of four and Dublin’s first of 15 points with barely a minute having elapsed on referee Eugene Murtagh’s stopwatch. With an away trip to Mayo next Sunday and a potential Croke Park date with old rivals Kerry for a place in the latter round’s of the League campaign, for the first time since 1999 up for grabs, Dublin were determined to make an example of Fermanagh. Wave after wave of Dublin attacks rained down on the church end of Parnell Park, which Fermanagh were trying hopelessly to defend.
Jason Sherlock, who was making his second start of the League campaign, seemed to be at the centre of every Dublin attack. Penned in to play half forward in the match programme, Sherlock was given a licence to roam popping up in defence on the wings and ultimately in attack managing to get his name on the scoreboard with a well taken point. The crowd noted Sherlock’s contribution with a quick rendition of the 1995 Hill 16 classic “Boom Boom Boom let me here you say Jayo” and if his man of the match display was anything to go by we certainly will be hearing people say “Jayo” a lot more as the calendar rolls into the summer months.
Mark Vaughan entered the arena as a blood sub for Colin Moran after ten minutes and busied himself around the forward lines. Question marks remain over whether he can last a full 70 minutes at championship pace but though he was taken back off after five minutes to allow Moran re-enter the fray, he would have a big part to play in the closing stages of the game.
Declan McKeever tried in vain to stem the Dublin onslaught with a point for the Ulster side only to see Stephen Cluxton’s resultant kick out end up with Tomas Quinn collecting a pass in the right corner forward position and advancing on goal, forcing Niall Tinney to leave the safety of his box to close Quinn down, leaving himself exposed and easily beaten with a low shot by the St.Vincents clubman. Dublin once again won the midfield battle from the Niall Tinney’s kick out and a long Shane Ryan pass to on form Dublin captain Colin Moran saw Paul Caffery’s men move into a seven point lead. Just before half time Keaney scored his third of the half to make the half time scoreboard very depressing reading for the Fermanagh side. Dublin 1-07, Fermanagh 0-03.
It’s a clichéd expression to use but the second half started just like the first had finished with Dublin selfishly not wanting Fermanagh to get a chance to show the assembled Parnell Park crowd of 8,000 what they could do with the ball. Fermanagh have now lost their last five games and look out of there depth in Division one competing with the likes of Tyrone, Donegal, Kerry and of course Dublin. With next years restructuring of the league they will more than likely start 2008 in Division three.
Dublin’s second goal was a calamity of errors involving a sleeping Fermanagh defence and goalkeeper Niall Tinney. Shane Ryan hit a high ball into the Fermanagh area, which looked to be dropping into Tinney’s expectant gloves only for Kevin Bonner to jump higher and palm the ball agonizingly into the back of the Fermanagh net.
With Dublin having ran up an insurmountable score line and Fermanagh going for nearly the whole of the second half without scoring, Paul Caffery used the opportunity to clear his bench of players who are pushing for a starting place like Diarmuid Connolly and Mark Vaughan
Connolly entered the action in the fiftieth minute and six minutes later he had a goal to his name. Mark Vaughan’s attempted point deflected off the top of the right hand upright and into the path of Diarmuid Connolly who rounded Fermanagh’s over worked Niall Tinney and struck home for Dublin’s third and final goal of the night.
With minutes left in what had now turned into a very embarrassing Dublin rout of Fermanagh Mark Vaughan scored the point of the night form a very acute angle wide on the left wing. It was to prove to be the final wound inflicted on Fermanagh with referee Eugene Murtagh finally ending the misery for Charlie Mulgrew's side soon after.
A lot can be read into Dublin’s 3-15 to 0-07 score line last Saturday night. For one thing it proves that unlike last year with the league game against Offally being a case point, Dublin apply the pressure for 70 minutes be they ten points down or 17 in front. Another positive that can be taken from the night is that all of Dublin’s forwards managed to get on the score sheet a fact that is likely to please Caffery as he looks towards next Sunday’s critical away game in Castlebar.
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Fireworks before february |
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Written by Maynard
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Tuesday, 30 January 2007 01:00 |
O’ Byrne Cup Final - Dublin 1.18 - Laois 2.13 (AET)
The O’ Byrne Cup has been a figure of fun in Leinster football for many years. The mentioning of its name automatically raises an instinctive scoff from the back of the throat. But with the National League taking on unprecedented importance as a springboard to the Championship, perhaps the days of using the O’ Byrne Cup as an excuse to walk the dog are over. The public profile that followed Micko to Wicklow, coupled with the live television coverage of the competition, provoked a level of previously unattained interest in the pre-season tournament. And last Sunday Dublin and Laois gave a captivating display of footballing strength that may just be threatening to make the O’ Byrne Cup sexy!
Within the opening minutes it was clear that Laois, under new manager Liam Kearns, were going to going to give the Dubs a real fight. Connolly had chipped Dublin a point ahead when Laois launched their first probe into Dublin territory - it yielded a goal. Paul Lawlor got on the end of a swift hand passing move and fired the ball low to Stephen Cluxton’s left. They quickly followed that with a Padraig Clancy point to leave Dublin heads swimming somewhat. It took a wonder point from Dublin’s impressive Ger Brennan to kick-start the Dublin fight back. The half-back followed his own pass out of defence and up the left wing. He then received the ball close to the sideline and kicked across the ball with the outside of his left boot. He caught it right on the meat and it swerved beautifully between the uprights to shake the stars from the Dublin eyes.
From then on the game turned into a real tit-for-tat battle with Laois just edging it by way of better possession use. Colm Parkinson, Beano McDonald and Paul Lawlor were all causing the Dublin defence problems with their pace and movement. The latter’ s place-kicking was also hurting Dublin. The Dubs on the other hand looked like a highly detailed jigsaw puzzle but with a few pieces still stuck behind the couch. Darren Magee did Trojan work at centre-field and the new-look forward line looked very lively. But the quality of ball going into them was stunting their efforts. Too often passes went askew or were over hit, and the high dropping ball that had troubled Laois so noticeably in the Championship was being cleanly won in the air by their defence with minimal fuss.
Still Dublin pressed on. Hard physical graft from Conal Keaney and Kevin Bonner yielded scores for the robust forwards, as the Dubs attempted to use the first half breeze to their advantage. Meanwhile at number 11 Dermot Connolly was putting in another eyebrow raising performance. His addressing of the football from open play as well as dead-ball situations is almost indolent. He seems to operate in exquisite slow motion, Maradonnalike, knowing what is about to happen before it occurs. He has grace and poise on the ball and has a good eye for a pass. And of course his place-kicking ability seems quite special also. It is clear that the young man is unquestionably the number one free-taker in this 2007 team, regardless if Mossy Quinn plays or not. The League will tell us more about this player, but right now it seems as if he could be Pillar’s skeleton key forward as he attempts to unlock previously sealed doors.
Dublin applied more pressure in the second half. Darren Magee continued to be statuesque in midfield, taking hits like granite and recycling possession admirably. The intensity of attack was upped also, and as Dublin surged forward and levelled the game, Laois were forced to play on the break. It appeared the siege had finally breached the garrison walls when in the 42nd minute Laois’ Darren Rooney was sent off by referee Derek Fahey for what appeared to be an attempted foot-tackle on Kevin Bonner. It would be remiss of me to skirt around the performance of the man in black, as his frenzy of card wielding may signal dark days ahead. We have been told that referee’s have been instructed for 2007 to clamp down on general fouling to save the game from unsightly stoppages and staccato game flow. It is a credit to both Dublin and Laois that they managed to produce such an enthralling game despite Derek Fahey’s best attempts to mar it with over zealous and counterproductive officiating. It would surprise me if the man does not contract repetitive stress disorder or tennis elbow having proudly waved so many cards high into the Tullamore skies. I literally lost count of how many cards he produced, suffice to say, if you attended the game you were lucky if you got home without a booking.
From a position of dominance, the Dubs could not force home their numerical advantage and despite going ahead numerous times, Laois kept pegging them back. Had Derek Murray not pointed when a goal was on, Padraig Clancy’s last gasp Hail-Mary, Kitchen Sink and Rosary Beads monster point would have been in vain. But as it was, it forced the sides into an extra twenty minute war of attrition that both camps could have done without.
Extra-time started terribly for Dublin. Having seen substitute David Henry dismissed for his second yellow just before the end of normal time, it got even worse for the Dubs. Inside the opening seconds of the restart, a long ball cleared Niall O’ Shea and Barry Cahill (despite winning the ball) brought down Colm Parkinson. Penalty. Second yellow for Cahill, and another substitute sent off. Michael J Tierney (a big fan of “Teen Wolf” presumably) lashed home the spot kick and Laois led 2.12 to 0.15. Dublin responded admirably and got the next two scores. The first from Connolly and crucially they then hit the back of the net themselves through Kevin Bonner. A good run and through ball by Mossy Quinn hopped over the tired Laois heads and fell kindly for Bonner who thundered the ball high into Fergal Byron’s net.
After that Dublin would not let it slip again. Johnny Magee received a pass from his brother and hit a huge score from out the field, and Bonner pointed again after Quinn really should have sealed the game with a second goal for the Dubs. Following all of that fantastic action there was only time for Derek “by the book” Fahey to send off one more player (Laois’ Gary Kavanagh) before Collie Moran lifted the O’ Byrne Cup for only the 6th time in Dublin’s history. Dublin will have learned quite a bit about some of their fringe players in this year’s pre-season, particularly in the forwards. Defensively it may have worked only to furrow the brow a little deeper, as future tinkering will no doubt conclude. However if it can give the Dubs a little advantage going into the highly competitive set of Division 1A fixtures, then that advantage may well carry over right the way through 2007. You never know, the O’ Byrne Cup could yet prove to be Leinster’s Carling Cup rather than it’s Charity Shield!" |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 22:08 |
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From the basement of Cafe Maynard. |
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Written by Maynard
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Tuesday, 07 November 2006 01:00 |
I do not consider myself a reactionary person, but having watched this years’ two instalments of the International Rules Series, the only sensible conclusion I believe is to scrap it once and for all.
In the past I have been patient as both the AFL and the GAA have twisted and teased the format in order to deliver a sporting package that is both enjoyable to partake in from a players perspective, and enjoyable to watch from a supporters perspective. Sadly the experiment has failed.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 17:27 |
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Hitler, commies and Dublin hurling |
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Written by hill16a5section
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Tuesday, 07 November 2006 01:00 |
Hitler, Commies and Dublin Hurling.
The year of our Lord 1938 was a very good year. The Treaty Ports were returned to the Irish Free State; American Don Budge became the first man to complete tennis’s Grand Slam of all four major Championships while Neville Chamberlain proclaimed to the World that there would be “Peace in our time”.
Things were pretty rosy in Dublin as well, with the counties Hurlers beating Waterford by 2-5 to 1-6 in front of a Croke Park crowd of 37,129 to claim that years All Ireland title.
Ah yes 1938 and everything is coming up Milhouse. Not for long though, Hitler would soon put history’s biggest loser Neville Chamberlain out of a job with a certain Blitzkrieg of the newly established Poland, while the euphoria surrounding Dublin’s first All-Ireland title since 1927 would prove to be one of the biggest false dawns since the morning after the big bang.
The closest Dublin, a county with a population of well over a million inhabitants and rising all the time, has come to the Liam McCarthy Cup since that historic day in 1938 is when it is handed over to usually a Cork or Kilkenny man on the steps of the Hogan Stand every September.
This year Dublin will face the prospect of having to over come John Meylers, Wexford to get a chance of competing in their first Leinster Final since 1991. Leinster, which has been dominated by Kilkenny for far to long, is crying out for a second force in the Province and with the recent success’s for the county at minor and under 21 level the next logical progression would be for stars of the underage teams to start trickling through onto the Senior stage. But for numerous reasons this has not been the case.
The Dublin Hurling committee has had more splits in its ranks than your average Socialist Party. This has in the past been due to ex county board chairman John Bailey’s insistence that he be in control of every facet of Dublin GAA life. For those of you none to familiar with the Fine Gael man think Ken Bates, and your heading in the right direction.
On the football side this has led to the undignified sacking of Tommy Carr in 2001. But the footballers thanks to their mass ranks, where always better equipped than the hurlers to deal with Baileys, at times demonic, stranglehold over Dublin GAA. The treatment Bailey meted out to Kevin Fennelly back in 2002 and the subsequent farce, which surrounded Baileys interim management ship of the Dublin squad back in 2005 portrayed Dublin hurling in a very unattractive light.
Berlin wall esq. defections have also been detrimental to the growth of hurling in Dublin. Players of the caliber of Shane Ryan and Conal Keaney have all denounced hurling and crossed over into big ball territory in the not so distant past. And just as the Soviets couldn’t stop the brain drain of the 1980’s it is proving very hard for aficionados of hurling in the capital to lure the likes of Keaney and Ryan away from the bright lights of the football team.
But who can blame the players for wanting to play in front of a packed Hill 16 for wanting to have the chance to realistically win major medals and become summer time celebrities?
This is a big year for hurling in the capital, it calls for one big push against Wexford and a much-needed place in a Leinster final beckons. A Leinster final which will surely give the bandwagon jumpers who frequent Hill 16 during the summer months an excuse to go and watch a hurling match for the first time.
And who knows where things will go from there, a win over Kilkenny in the Final and an all blue Croke Park for an All-Ireland quarter final against Cork culminating in a Dublin victory over Waterford in a re run of the 1938 decider. And yes the glass of Guinness I’m slurping on while writing this is half full.
As the ad for the Black stuff goes “Not men but Giants” it’s time for Tommy Noughton and his boys to grow those extra couple of inches this summer. |
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Exhalations and expectations |
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Written by Maynard
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Thursday, 20 July 2006 01:00 |
Dublin 1.15 - Offaly 0.09
They began like Bambi on ice, but finished like seasoned thoroughbreds, shaking off a dogged Offaly and some early nerves to win back-to-back Leinster titles for the first time in over a decade.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 February 2008 20:27 |
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