“Feel-good factor” and Croker venue to boost the boys in blue

JASON SHERLOCK loves Croke Park. It’s little wonder given his sensational Leinster and All-Ireland winning summer of 1995 blasting goals and blowing kisses to the Hill.

Even though his role of terrorising defences may not be quite as dominant seven years on, Sherlock none the less seems to be catching more and more glimpses of the good old days.

The might of Mickey Moran and Donegal be warned.

The boys in blue are multiplying at headquarters.

“It is (a huge bonus) in the sense that it is the only ground that can cater for the size of our crowd,” Sherlock agreed ahead of Saturday afternoon’s quarter-final replay with the Northerners.

“One great thing about this year has been the feel-good factor that has been around Dublin football, and it’s great that young kids are wearing the jerseys and going to the games.

“The last day it wasn’t really possible to take full advantage of that because of the double-header, but this time there shouldn’t be any problems.”

There wouldn’t be any problems either on the sideline, as Tommy Lyons is reported fit and well after his late withdrawal from the drawn game with a stomach complaint.

“You can only look at it personally and I don’t know how other players reacted to it, but in general it’s difficult when the manager isn’t there for any team because his is the last voice you hear and he is your final motivator, so his not being there is going to be detrimental.

“It’s great in that sense that we weren’t beaten and that he’ll be around for the next day.”

The common perception is that Dublin were lucky to escape the first day with their championship ambitions intact.

For the Na Fianna forward, however, that is far too simplistic a view to take, as he and his team-mates look forward solely to the return bout.

“You can look at draws in many ways. You could say we were lucky, that if we’d played a few more minutes we might have been beaten. At the same time, we were three points up with seven minutes left.

“One thing that will stand to us now is that we’ve been involved in a few replays over the last few years and we know when you come out of the first match, it’s a case of looking back and re-assessing.

“Obviously, there are going to be loads of mistakes and there will be positives as well and you have to highlight those positives for the next day and get rid of your weaknesses.

“We know we’ve got a lot more room for improvement, but having said that, all credit to Donegal. They proved on the big day that they’re more than capable of matching it with anyone and we’re going to have our work cut out again.”

Indeed, Donegal’s performance over the August weekend festivities took a few by surprise, some of their own county men included.

However, the 1992 All-Ireland champions haven’t exactly crept up from the long grass. Their Ulster final no-show aside, Donegal have looked a threatening outfit, but for Sherlock the concentration for Lyons and his side lies a little closer to home.

“Mickey Moran is a great manager and he has certain beliefs on how football should be played. He has instilled that in them and the one thing Donegal footballers have is they are all footballers first and foremost and they are all very comfortable on the ball. It can be very hard to play a team like that.

“Possibly the last day we didn’t play to our own strengths. That will be the final factor in our game on Saturday. Do we play to our own game plan or adjust to theirs?”