Dublin learned a lot but so too did the competition
“I saw that the Tour de France wasn’t decided by Gods or genes; it was decided by effort, by strategy. Whoever worked the hardest and the smartest was going to win.”
Isn’t this true of any sport? Meath produced the effort and strategy for 35 minutes and went into the changing room with a two-point cushion and an optimistic air about them. The problem, of course, is that no-one believed they would actually keep that level of performance going. Is it possible that Meath also had this mindset?
The defining moment of this game was definitely that half-time whistle. Had it not blown Meath would have pushed further and further ahead as Dublin were in total disarray. The claps on the back, the self-praise, the ‘I told you we could do it’ weakened a resolve that had been flourishing on the field.
In contrast, Dublin manager, Jim Gavin, used the opportunity to add structure and strategy into the players. He used the few minutes to instil self-belief — the knowledge that preparation is complete.
The opening sequence of the second half illustrates this point. Careless passing, incomplete tackles and indecision by Meath led to three quick points in succession within the first five minutes. Dublin were back in the lead. Inevitability crept in. Then a strange decision by the referee, who had an otherwise very good game, gifted another score to Stephen Cluxton. While Cluxton was making his way to take a free kick from the ground Damien Carroll, who was being a general nuisance to Cluxton got a firm nudge from behind by Paul Flynn. What followed was merely a schmozzle and yellow cards for Carroll and Flynn. My issue is why did Carroll get a yellow card and why wasn’t the ball thrown up? Cluxton scored from this free.
The really great teams know when to be competitive, to grasp the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required. Dublin certainly showed in the second half the armoury they have in reserve but they also showed weakness.
Dublin learned a lot yesterday but the competition also learned a lot.
Firstly, Dublin are playing without any midfield partnership. Michael Darragh Macauley cannot win that battle on his own particularly when he is not a high fielding midfielder. Cian O’Sullivan is not a midfielder. Neither Jim Gavin nor Cian are that naive. When the opposition push up on defenders and Stephen Cluxton is forced to kick a percentage pass Dublin don’t retain possession. Fact. Donegal, Mayo and Kerry are all pushing players up to pressurise the kick-out. Oh, and all three teams have high fielding midfielders! If you cannot win primary possession the wheels come grinding to a halt.
Cast your mind back to the first half. Meath midfield dominance equals a stuttering Dublin performance. Gavin did make the change after 45 minutes, Denis Bastick replaced Cian O’Sullivan but the strategy had been altered at half time and the success was already there for all to see.
Secondly, when the tempo is controlled by Dublin the defence is tight and the ball moves through Ger Brennan’s hands setting up attack after attack. When the tempo is controlled by the opposition Ger doesn’t get time to play football and the centre of defence is exposed to early and or diagonal ball.
John Wooden the former highly-rated UCLA basketball coach is credited as saying: “The star of every team is the individual. Individuals don’t win games, teams do.” Yesterday witnessed two individuals who defy John Wooden.
Ciarán Kilkenny was superb, easily man of the match and a constant thorn in the Meath defence over the 70 minutes. His vision and passing have not been equalled in the championship so far.
Possession is king and his distribution by the foot is exemplary. This man must be man-marked! Not since Brian McGuigan was in his prime has someone commanded between the 45s with such authority.
Jack McCaffrey is the latter. His constant work-rate a thing to marvel in the searing heat.
Speed, endurance, strength and ability. It won’t be long before both players surpass anything Dublin has produced before. A friend once said that there was no such thing as Superman. This was true in the context of the conversation but in Gaelic football these two lads will be super heroes.
For Tyler Hamilton and the US Postal Team, Lance Armstrong was the “big boss”. He drove everything with meticulous attention to detail. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of all the competitors. He believed “whatever you do those others are doing more”. I am certain Jim Gavin also believes this and will be all too aware of his own strengths and deficiencies. For now his team are delightful to watch and long may they continue to play with such youthful enthusiasm. His truth is marching on.
