Sideline generals must choose curve or swerve

To curve or to swerve — that is the question. A curve ball is not something Dublin are known for and given their last one in the 2017 All-Ireland final — Eoghan O’Gara’s inclusion — was unsuccessful it’s something Jim Gavin may be keen to avoid.

That being said, even if they were all hurling phenomenons, the examples of Walter Walsh (2012), Shane O’Donnell (’13) and Kieran Joyce (’14) as successful All-Ireland final replay bolters are too frequent to ignore. Indeed, Michael Fitzsimons was also the man of the match in the last football final replay three years ago having not started the first day out.