Michael Kennedy TD previews Dublin v Tyrone

Posted on 29/07/10 by Michael Kennedy

It’s down to the last eight in this year’s All Ireland Football Championship, and thankfully the Dubs are still in there with a shout. The Boys in Blue have taken a more circuitous route this year, exiting Leinster at an early stage to travel via the qualifier road. Perhaps this will stand to the team in the longer term as they have progressed to the quarter-finals under the radar, away from the media glare that accompanied them on previous occasions.

Pat Gilroy had a difficult task on his hands when he took over from Pillar Caffrey last year. Dublin were a side that just couldn’t get to the Promised Land, a hammering against Tyrone in the rain of Croke Park on a damp August afternoon two years ago saw Caffrey resigning his managership. Some may say that last season saw the Dubs regress, but I believe that it is through adversity that we learn more about ourselves.

Kerry gave us a football lesson last August, but it’s an experience that I’m sure the Dubs will store in their minds for future reference. Like all Dublin supporters I felt that was perhaps the most dispiriting defeat we have experienced.

This season it’s fair to say that our championship season has been a bit of a curate’s egg. Wexford should have beaten us in normal time, but we showed great persistence to come through in extra-time. The less said about the defeat to Meath the better – perhaps Dublin will have a chance to avenge that loss before the season is out?

The qualifier route has seen Dublin play on three consecutive Saturdays at Croke Park. Tipperary, Armagh and Louth were all seen off, with the most disappointing aspect being the attendance at those fixtures. Crowds of 22,000, 25,000 and 47,000 respectively were a far cry from the days when the Dubs would pack 83,000 into Croke Park. I would appeal to all fans to get behind the team, their team, on Saturday. This side represents all of us, and they need the sixteenth man behind them if they are to have any chance of seeing off Mickey Harte’s side. So far almost 960,000 supporters have attended 79 games in both codes this championship season – hopefully it will be a Dub who makes the million milestone on Saturday!

Tyrone have a doubt about Tommy McGuigan, but will be hopeful that Stephen O’Neill can return and play some part. If Enda McGinley is also available the men form the North will pose a major threat to the Metropolitans. It won’t be easy to get the better of men such as Brian Dooher, Sean Cavanagh and Eoin Mulligan.

Dublin have a strong midfield in Rory O'Carroll and Michael Darragh MacCauley, a partnership who never stop trying. Eoghan O'Gara is developing into a good full-forward, and Skerries Harps’ Bryan Cullen has shown some fine form in recent matches. Allied to this the Brogan brothers have shown real leadership in attack this summer – if they are able to find the target on Saturday then Dublin will have a great chance.

The Dubs need to build on their early season promise and ensure that they avoid any repeat of their collapses against Kerry and Meath. I believe that Pat Gilroy will have his side fired up for this one - it will be tight, but if Dublin’s defence holds firm and they can break-even at midfield, the forward line has enough potential to see off Tyrone.

I predict Dublin by two or three, moving a step closer to ending the fifteen year wait for Sam! Enjoy the matches…

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