‘Workman like’ Dubs fail to impress Roe

SEVENTY minutes is all that stands between Dublin and a first Leinster three-in-a-row in a dozen years and Paul Caffrey will hardly need reminding that the last hat-trick coughed up an All-Ireland title at the end of its cycle.

The Dublin manager will be fervently hoping that history repeats itself but Pat Roe won’t be having a flutter on such an outcome judging by his appraisal of Offaly’s conquerors yesterday evening.

Two years ago, Dublin ousted his Wexford side in another provincial semi-final but Roe feels the metropolitans haven’t progressed despite the water that has passed under the bridge since.

“Truthfully no, but they are very workmanlike and what they have now is a solid look about them. I would be worried for Dublin that they still tend to disappear from a game,” he explained. “There were times when we had a bit of possession today and had we been a bit more productive with it we may have troubled them more.”

Dublin’s slumber came in the 15-minute spell that followed the treatment to the injured Thomas Deehan midway through the first half but Offaly lacked the weaponry to punish them.

Offaly managed only two points in that spell and their problems were summed up by Niall McNamee’s skewed point attempt that drew howls of derision from the Hill and prompted his manager to throw his head back and howl at the grey skies.

Having said that, McNamee will be the only Offaly forward to be absolved of blame when Roe sifts through the debris.

The corner-forward scored seven of his side’s ten points which is seven more than the rest of the attacking unit managed in over 70 minutes of football.

“Truthfully, if I’d been told this morning that we would concede 1-12, I would have thought we would be in with a right good chance of winning. Our backs have been pilloried for most of the year but they were superb today.”

Offaly came to the table with only a springtime of second division football and a canter against Carlow in their sails and they were caught for pace in that first quarter where Dublin kicked the first five points.

Dublin’s goal was the turning point, Alan Brogan’s fisted point attempt dropping short and ending up in the net via Joe Quinn’s flailing arm. But the Offaly manager wasn’t happy that Mark Vaughan’s contribution went unpunished.

“Jesus lads, there was about four different fouls on it. There was a square ball and (Quinn) was pushed but that happens. Referees don’t lose games. Players lose them and win them.”

Where it all leaves Offaly is the Tommy Murphy Cup. Disdainful of the qualifiers for years, it remains to be seen what they make of the rung below but Roe insists the panel will stay together for the plate event.

“We’ll be out again fairly soon so we’ll get straight back to work. We’ll sit down and discuss what we can get out of the Tommy Murphy Cup in terms of preparation for next year. We’ll keep working. There’s no point otherwise.”