PAUL FLYNN IS confident that Dublin can handle whatever Donegal throw at them.
The sides meet on Sunday in the All-Ireland football semi-final, a repeat of their infamously dour clash at the same stage three years ago.
Donegal’s stifling tactics limited the Dubs to two points from play that day but couldn’t prevent an 0-8 to 0-6 defeat as the Boys in Blue went on to win their first All-Ireland in 16 years.
Jim McGuinness never lost his defensive roots although Donegal moved away from “puke football” to a more nuanced style in the seasons that followed and reaped the rewards with an All-Ireland of their own.
The high-scoring Dubs are preparing for all eventualities, including the possibility that Donegal might put 14 men behind the ball again this weekend.
“It was a difficult game, really difficult,” Flynn recalled. “Donegal went ultra-defensive — they’re not as defensive now as they were then.
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“There was a defining moment when [Colm] McFadden had a shot at goal and [Stephen] Cluxton saved and it went over the bar. If that had gone in, the game would have been different.
“It was difficult to get to grips with the fact that they played such a defensive system. Maybe you can anticipate it but it’s very hard to prepare for it.”
Flynn and Anthony Thompson went head-to-head in the semi-finals three years ago. Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
In terms of preparation, Dublin’s quarter-final earlier this month was as good a dry run as you can get.
Monaghan’s staunch defence subdued Jim Gavin’s men for the opening 20 minutes but — as has often been the case this summer — once the floodgates opened there was no stopping the deluge.
Two goals from Diarmuid Connolly and Bernard Brogan in the space of three first-half minutes paved the way for a lead which was nine points at the break and 17 at the final whistle.
“It gave us a bit of an eye-opener to how difficult it’s going to be,” Flynn said.
The first 20 minutes against Monaghan was tight. I imagine it’s going to be like that for the whole game next Sunday.
The buzzword, he agrees, is patience – ”and try to keep believing in your game-plan and keep working to implement it.
“Don’t try and change anything because of the fact that you’re playing something a bit different to what you usually play against.
Because most counties send their terrace allocation back & it gets sold to the Dublin fans. The exception to this being last years All Ireland Final, and look where that got Mayo
Ooh Gerry are you one of the unemployed sheep herders with a chip on your hairy shoulder
Relax if they split dublin in two you’ll never have to go to a big match again
If other counties send back hill tickets ,how come its packed 50/50
For all Ireland’s that Dublin aren’t involved,and when Dublin are involved its about 90% Dublin.
Dublin in the last 2 meetings have deliberately gone out to take Donegal’s best player,Karl Lacey out of the game when the ball was nowhere near him. The referee and linesman should look out for this on Sunday as Dublin players will do it again. By the way all donegal players got a tetanus injection this week to protect them for any Suarez bites they will receive from dublin players
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Good luck with that Dubs, Donegal Abu!!
Who’s Abu?????
Anyone but Ulster?
Luck won’t have anything to do with it come Sunday. Up de Dubs :)
I see the gaa are trying to cut the funding Dublin get
Could someone explain to me why Dublin supporters always get Hill 16???.
Cause I seriously don’t know why they do……
Because most counties send their terrace allocation back & it gets sold to the Dublin fans. The exception to this being last years All Ireland Final, and look where that got Mayo
Hill 16 tickets are send to clubs from both County’s but generally get returned from clubs outside of Dublin
Tickets for Hill 16 also go on general sale on tickets.ie for anyone from any county to buy.
Because you all want the cosy hogan stand so you can eat your ham sandwiches in peace
Bless ya
Because it’s the worst view in the place, and as the majority of them couldn’t name five of their own players, it’s good enough for them .
Because it’s harder to piss in someone’s handbag from a seat.
So the dubs don’t have to deal with the smell of cow dung and washed diesel coming from the culchie fans.
Ooh Gerry are you one of the unemployed sheep herders with a chip on your hairy shoulder
Relax if they split dublin in two you’ll never have to go to a big match again
Where u from Gerry
Gerry is a hurling man so he’s either tipp Kilkenny or cork
If other counties send back hill tickets ,how come its packed 50/50
For all Ireland’s that Dublin aren’t involved,and when Dublin are involved its about 90% Dublin.
Every player wants to play Dublin in croke park when the hill is full it’s the best sight in sport UP THE SUPER DUBS
Just picked up my hill tickets ! Hill 16 is Dublin only that’s why
Croke Park is GAA HQ, it belongs to all 32 counties, no part of it belongs to any one county.
Unfortunately you’re wrong . It doesn’t belong to ANY COUNTY .This weekend it’ll belong to American football fans .
No on Sunday it will belong to blue
Are they playing at half time?
Dub U-18s likely to have a much more difficult task of beating Donegal in their game though.
Excellent mind game retort. Says it all in the headline.
Hilarious comment Gerry you should be on stage with gags like that.
if Donegal go ultra defensive? IF?
I’d donegal go ultra defensive Dublin will go ultra defensive.
Why the red thumb – that’s what they did the last time.
Dublin in the last 2 meetings have deliberately gone out to take Donegal’s best player,Karl Lacey out of the game when the ball was nowhere near him. The referee and linesman should look out for this on Sunday as Dublin players will do it again. By the way all donegal players got a tetanus injection this week to protect them for any Suarez bites they will receive from dublin players