Dubs’ midfield dominance silences critics

SELECTOR Brian Talty believes Dublin’s midfield dominance against Offaly was the perfect riposte to the critics who identified the partnership of Ciarán Whelan and Shane Ryan as their Achilles heel.

The Dublin centre-fielders endured a difficult afternoon in their first championship outing against Longford and only began to gain control against Laois when the unfortunate Padraic Clancy departed the field through injury.

Similar problems were predicted against Offaly’s Alan McNamee and Ciarán McManus in the Leinster final, but Dublin dominated in the air and swept up the majority of the breaking ball.