The Division 1 final sees Cork take on Dublin, while Donegal face Laois in the Division 2 decider. JOE gives his prediction.
By Ciaran Brennan
Cork come to headquarters as League and All-Ireland champions while Dublin assume the mantle once held by the Rebels, that of the nearly men of gaelic football. And yet the Dubs have been installed as marginal favourites.
Having experienced some painful defeats, largely at the hands of Kerry over the years, Cork finally made the breakthrough to bag both national titles last year, but Dublin, despite a plethora of provincial crowns, have not reached a League or Championship final in a long, long time.
Both sides have clocked up some serious scores throughout the League, but equally have conceded heavily too.
Defence
Defensively, in personnel terms, it’s only now that Dublin are beginning to look like what will probably be their Championship set up. Fitzsimons, Brogan and McMahon looks a solid full back line, and while the likes of Nicky Devereux and Sean Murray have done very well in their appearances, the three picked for tomorrow have the edge in experience, and it will be needed.
The half back line sees Barry Cahill restored to his more natural position, in inter-county terms at least, alongside Ger Brennan and Kevin Nolan. Despite some early reservations regarding Brennan’s physique, as a centre back at this level, he proved to be a worthy wearer of the number six jersey last year and, temperament allowing, should do the same again, and Nolan has impressed also.
Midfield remains a concern for Dublin though. Michael Darragh MacAuley’s selection increases Dublin’s competitiveness under the high ball, certainly required against the giant Oaks of Cork pair, Alan O’Connor and Nicholas Murphy. His partner, Denis Bastick must be a nightmare to try play against.
Hard as nails, he just keeps coming back for more. Where boots, shins and knees fly around expect to see the head of Denis Bastick down there among them. Somebody has just quipped, rather unkindly, that if you had a head like Denis Basticks’ you’d go down anywhere, sending shivers up the spine of one or two girls here in the office, shifting uneasily on their seats.
The half forward line of Flynn, McManamon and captain Cullen is workmanlike, designed to assist in midfield but also capable of tagging on a few scores when the opportunity arises. While on the full forward line Quinn, Connolly and Brogan are the thoroughbreds who can ping a point from any angle and like nothing more than climaxing to the net.
Hungry
Above all though, this Dublin team is hungry for success and can’t wait to get at Cork tomorrow in the final.
The Rebels meanwhile are a class act as we know. In the League game between these two some weeks ago, Cork’s forwards were obviously only tweaking their game, having just arrived back in the country from holiday. Goulding, O’Connor and Sheehan are unlikely to be as wasteful again, O’Connor came on as a sub against Armagh last time out and scored 2-3 in the process, so Dublin will feel they’ll need to tighten up here.
O’Neill and Gould flank Paddy Kelly in the absence of the injured Paul Kerrigan on the half line and they are all well able to score, and create for their inside men.
With O’Connor and Murphy in the middle Cork should win the primary possession stakes which is an undoubted advantage, even in this modern breaking ball era.
O’Leary, Miskella and Kissane, the Cork half backs, will work their socks off against the equally hard working Dublin half forward line. The Rebels full back line of Carey, Shields and O’Sullivan could be looking at a tough day’s work against their free scoring Dub opposites, a battle which could ultimately decide the game.
So who’s going to take the title? One suspects that if Cork can match the desire that will run right through the Dublin team, then, given that they are probably closer to their championship starting fifteen they might just pip it. However the Dubs are ravenous for silverware and that hunger may prove just enough for them to fall over the line first. Draw anyone?
The curtain raiser
The Division 2 final pits together two of the possible dark horses, at provincial level at least, of this years championship. Two young managers, both relatively recent All-Ireland winners, both with fresh ideas, drawing from their own experiences in the game.
Laois with former Armagh great Justin McNulty at the helm were winners last time out against tomorrows opposition, Donegal , led by Jim McGuinness.
The Leinster men can call on an unchanged line-up for this game. Donegal, however, are experiencing quite a few injury problems right now, though they will have captain and talisman, Michael Murphy available again.
Both teams will look to the game as a serious building exercise for the championship and a great big game Croke Park experience. And don’t believe for a minute the talk of the result not being of significance and it’s all about the championship etc.
When that ball is thrown in tomorrow afternoon both teams will be going at it hammer and tongs for the win. And who will come out on top? Donegal have been probably the most impressive team in Division 2 this year, but their injury problems may be too much of a handicap on the vast expanses of Croke Park which may allow Laois in to nab the title.
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