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O'Gara praised for 'composure' during incident that lead to Leinster final biting claims

Jim Gavin has praised the Dublin forward after the controversy that marred their Leinster final win.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

DUBLIN MANAGER JIM Gavin has praised Eoghan O’Gara for his ‘great composure’ when caught up in a Leinster final flashpoint with Meath’s Mickey Burke.

Meath defender Burke appeared to drag O’Gara along the ground during a scuffle though it was later claimed the Royal County player was bitten.

Video footage did show Burke’s hand coming into contact with O’Gara’s mouth area. But after an initial outcry from Meath manager Mick O’Dowd, the issue was quickly dropped.

Sunday Game TV pundits suggested at the time that O’Gara may have been the one who actually showed some restraint and Gavin, speaking for the first time on the issue, appeared to agree.

“I just thought that Eoghan showed great composure for a big strong man, to maintain his self discipline when he was under stress,” said Gavin. “It’s not really talked about in the Dublin squad. We just moved on to the next game pretty quickly.”

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Monaghan, Gavin refused to engage in a ward of words with O’Dowd on the issue. O’Dowd had stated he was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the incident.

“The manager has got to do whatever he feels is best for his team,” said Gavin on the claims. “There was great respect going into that game, for the county of Meath and the way they play their football and the GAA community there, and there was great respect after the game for Meath football and for Meath GAA people. That hasn’t changed one bit.

“What a manager does, that’s within his control and we can’t influence that. There’s a great respect and admiration for Meath. We like the way they play their football.”

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Dublin’s discipline has been good all year in terms of avoiding black card sanctions. Their opponents tomorrow, Monaghan, know how costly a black card can be as they profited from Kildare’s ill fortune last weekend when Emmet Bolton was dismissed.

“It is a core value of the team, to maintain their discipline both on and off the field,” said Gavin.

“They are in a privileged position, the management team are in a privileged position to represent their county and with that comes responsibility.

“We don’t always get it right and in a contact sport sometimes mistakes are made but the important thing for me is the players are trying to be the best they can be in that regard.

“Whatever stresses they come under during a game, I think generally speaking they have maintained their composure and self discipline.”

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27 Comments
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    Mute Paddy Ryan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:40 AM

    When he came on the scene,I thought he was not even related to a footballer,but I have taken that back, he has improved beyond belief , and is now every defenders nightmare .

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:07 AM

    No better man for the one handed catch whilst holding off a defender. Can improve, but exciting to watch and works hard

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 7:13 AM

    I know O’Gara gets the odd goal but he is useless,must be the best trainer in the country because a few different Dublin managers appear to persist with his mediocrity.

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    Mute Brian Scallan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 7:33 AM

    Maybe those managers, who are better placed to judge his ability, see something different to your assertion of uselessness.

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 7:52 AM

    Clearly they do Brian,that was the point I was making.

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    Mute James
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    Aug 8th 2014, 8:33 AM

    He gets the ‘odd’ goal more than most in the country. 3 Leinster Titles, 1 NFL & 2 All Irelands. You’re talking through your hole.

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Aug 8th 2014, 8:56 AM

    The All Ireland winning managers?

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Aug 8th 2014, 8:57 AM

    O Gara is useless?? He’s one of few forwards in the country that can win low or high ball and is constantly out In front of his marker. Because of his strength he can basically break any tackle and is very hard to stop once he gets on a run. He needs to improve his point taking but he’s a super player in my eyes and very important yo Dublin I would say

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    Mute dar.i.am
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:08 AM

    He defo needs to improve his point scoring but look at how many defenders he attracts when he’s on the ball. They’re terrified of him and that frees up other forwards. He’s a key player for the Dubs no doubt.

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:11 AM

    He was given those titles,contributed f@#k all to win them for us.The chap can hardly solo a ball.His temperament is questionable as is his use of the ball when he’s not bursting for goal.

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:27 AM

    That’s inaccurate. When he came on for Mannion v Mayo he took the corner back (Cunnife?) to the cleaners. That forced mayo to take up to then their best attacker (Higgins) out of the half forward line to try and keep him quiet. Until he got injured in the second half he was superb. Horan even left higgins back there when EOG was only leg which was baffling.

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    Mute Paul Mallon
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:58 AM

    Ah davie come on man, he played a big part in the final last year and he’s gotten better every year. He’s still only around 24/25 so more to come from him

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 10:51 AM

    I hope there is more to come Paul but for the last few years I think he falls short of the mark for a team that is dominating the game such as the Dubs are.He has improved a bit and can give a full back a tough day but needs to do alot more if he is to be continually involved I think.

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Aug 8th 2014, 11:18 AM

    Nobody wanted Higgins in attack there Conor we prefer him in the backs

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    Mute Cormac O'Gara
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:10 PM

    Have you watched any of the games this season dave? or do you wait till semi final stage to go to croker? talking through your hoop

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:12 PM

    Haha you’re clearly a relation of his haha brilliant!!

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    Mute Cormac O'Gara
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:15 PM

    he’s 28, but still alot left in the tank

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    Mute Cormac O'Gara
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:17 PM

    hilarious isnt it! good man Davie, trued dub!

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:30 PM

    Chances are he’s a sound lad Cormac I’m not slating his character I’m just giving my opinion on his ability as I see it and that is that he’s not good enough to play for the dubs on what I’ve seen of him over the last 3 or 4 years.

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    Mute Ian O'Reilly
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:37 PM

    Quick question davie how many games have u seen this year. As a season ticket holder I have seen ogara improve imensely, his whole game has gamehas improved, its not just championship games its the tough league away games that he delivers ( Laois 2012 away league game on a wetnight ) and to say he was given those titles is extremly disrespectful

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    Mute Davie Nolan
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    Aug 8th 2014, 12:49 PM

    That’s fair enough it was a bit disrespectful to say he was given them alright,I’m sure he works as hard as the rest of the squad.i didn’t miss a championship game between 92 and 2011 then I emigrated and have watched every game since on TV.Clearly by this response I’m not seeing something a lot of you are.i hope he proves me wrong and bags 2-05 on Saturday believe me.

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Aug 8th 2014, 2:53 PM

    Mayo are short on forwards but I agree with you he is a class corner back. It’s a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

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    Mute Sean O' Brien
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    Aug 8th 2014, 9:29 AM

    He gets some of the same criticism levelled at him that mdma does; not a natural footballer, just super fit. But he’s a vital cog in the machine. Brogan can’t be targeted with dirty ball, he’s never been good at getting it. It’d be interesting to see the stats as to how many assists he has for bb’s points.

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    Mute Dave Mannix
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    Aug 8th 2014, 11:31 AM

    Terrific footballer laden with celtic crosses. Destroyed manys a team on his own. If you think he’s useless you’re not a Dublin football person. GERRUP!

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    Mute Flash Gordon
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    Aug 8th 2014, 7:51 AM

    Suarez is only trotting after yer man!!

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    Mute Ciarán
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    Aug 8th 2014, 4:35 PM

    Wow I think this might be the first article related to the bite we’ve been allowed to comment on. What was that meath lad doing shoving fingers in his mouth.

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    Mute Steven Pierce
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    Aug 8th 2014, 4:39 PM

    How could he have bitten him if he had his gumsheild on?

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