GAELIC GAMES/Dublin v Louth:RARELY HAS a team come to Croke Park with such an appetite for retribution. Louth may claim to have forgotten about what happened here two weeks ago – when they were robbed of a first Leinster title in 53 years by some inexplicably poor refereeing – but they can hardly be forgiving. The search for justice is still in the air.
That Dublin stand in the way of their rightful place in an All-Ireland quarter-final is either a cruel twist or a blessing in disguise. Louth haven’t beaten Dublin since 1973, and have lost to them 12 times since. But then Dublin were also well beaten by Meath a few weeks back, the team Louth had conquered before the bitter intervention of fate.
It makes for a fascinating showdown, and hopefully Croke Park will be more than half full this time.
Louth, we know then, will be suitably fired up, and unquestionably competitive. Manager Peter Fitzpatrick actually described Dublin as something of a “dream” draw, partly on the basis he’ll know exactly what to expect.
Dublin are far from the proverbial finished article, but they are improving, and still one of the more comfortable teams in the country on their home turf of Croke Park.
Fitzpatrick has made only minimal changes from the team that fell to Meath’s late and illegitimate goal; Stephen Fitzpatrick, his son, is named at wing back in place of Ronan Greene – a switch that was actually made shortly before half-time in the ill-fated Meath match, so no real surprises there.
Last week we said that by naming an unchanged team to play Armagh, Pat Gilroy wasn’t fooling anyone into thinking he’d suddenly solved Dublin’s problems. Well he didn’t, because Dublin actually started with a different team – although that’s not saying he didn’t solve some of their problems.
Barry Cahill and Bryan Cullen were late replacements for Paul Flynn and Kevin McManamon, and retain their places at wing back and wing forward respectively. The feeling is Gilroy will stick with that starting line-up this evening, thus playing a truly unchanged team for the first time this year.
Their subsequent three-point win over Armagh still wasn’t convincing, but at least Dublin’s attitude was – as they fought harder for every ball, particularly as the game progressed. Michael Dara MacAuley exemplified the work rate at midfield, and the full-back line further cemented their strong position; particularly corner back Philip McMahon, who made the decisive block on goal, late on, from Armagh’s Brian Mallon.
Still some problems persisted – not least of all Dublin’s continuing reliance on Bernard Brogan for scores. (After Brogan, who hit 0-9, goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton was the only other starting player to score!) Had Armagh been just a little bit more productive in front of goal then Dublin would surely be planning for 2011 already.
Eamonn Fennell added further strength to midfield when introduced, and it’s only a matter of time before he comes on this evening.
Louth have possibly the best midfield pairing in the country in Brian White and Paddy Keenan; big men who can throw their weight around, field high ball, cut forward for scores, and also track back for extra cover. Both men scored against Meath, and four forwards also chipped in, and that suggests Louth have the better artillery right now than Dublin.
McManamon and Flynn are also certain to see some game time, as Eoghan O’Gara is lucky enough to start given his limited impact the last day. Alan Brogan must also step up to the scoring mark, but with his brother in such unstoppable form, Dublin are certain to assault the Louth defence. If Louth can limit that assault, particularly early on, they have the ability to steal a decisive lead at the other end.
But ultimately it will depend on the mindset. Louth have enormous incentive, that’s for sure, but Dublin are free now from all pressure and expectations, and sometimes that’s what delivers a winning performance.
Tickets for this afternoon’s double-bill – which includes Monaghan against Kildare at 3pm – are priced at stand €30, terrace €20, and family tickets €30, with usual student and senior citizen rebates. The GAA Ticket Shop on Dorset Street will be open from 10am.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, R O’Carroll, P McMahon; K Nolan, G Brennan, B Cahill; R McConnell, MD McAuley; N Corkery, A Brogan, B Cullen; D Henry, E O’Gara, B Brogan.
LOUTH: N Gallagher; E McAuley, D Finnegan, J O’Brien; R Finnegan, M Fanning, S Fitzpatrick; P Keenan, B White; A Reed, A McDonnell, B Brennan; C Judge, S Lennon, JP Rooney.
Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).
