Moran out to prove the critics wrong

DUBLIN captain Colin Moran has an axe to grind.

He and his team mates are becoming tired and frustrated that the media and the public continue to doubt their ability to win tight games.

There is, of course, a short history of them failing to do that, most notably against Tyrone in 2005 and Mayo last year. But Moran refers to their Leinster clashes against Meath as evidence against such theories.

“They were big tests of character,’’ he argued. “The first one went down to the wire and the second day they really came back at us again. I suppose the players were a little bit frustrated that people were saying we couldn’t win tight games and all that. So, there was an element of satisfaction that we finished that second game very strongly and kicked the last three or four points.’’

But things were not as clear cut as that. Dublin completely dominated the opening 20 minutes before losing their way for a while. Moran accepts that ‘if you were betting on anybody’ with ten minutes to go, Meath would probably have been the team you would have gone for.

“After we had the great start they really seemed to come back into it. We kicked two points, myself and Conal (Keaney) towards the end. We did show resolve in that game as well.’’ He added: “The players will point to the fact that we’re three years down the road with this management team and there have been a good few examples of tight games we have won, over those three Leinster campaigns especially.

“We would be disappointed when we do lose tight games and we would always look for areas where we can improve and close that out. But, there is evidence over the last couple of years that we have won tight games.

“So, the Meath games maybe served as a reminder that we can do it.’’

But it isn’t all doom and gloom for Moran. Last year he managed just eight minutes of championship action after an horrendous run of injuries.

“Looking back, I probably would have had a bit of regret. My initial comeback time was supposed to be April. I suppose in hindsight, I pushed things a little too hard and it didn’t work out too well and I had a few setbacks. That was frustrating.’’

After Dublin crashed out in the All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo, he was able to get back playing football, initially with his club (in a shortened county championship campaign) and later in the inter-provincial series.

He’s naturally pleased with how the changes have worked out, most especially Ross O’Carroll at full-back.

“Ross is a natural footballer, he can play out the field as well. People have seen how comfortable he is on the ball. He has done a great job in a difficult position — a specialist position. You can see how composed he is on the ball. He doesn’t look like a guy that’s in his debut season at all.’’

In Laois Moran insists the Dubs face ‘a dangerous side,’ insisting last year’s semi-final (when the Dubs won by 14 points) shouldn’t be seen ‘as a fair reflection’ ahead of Sunday’s decider.

“They have a conveyor belt of talent coming through at under age and have strengthened their team again this year with a couple of more guys who got to the Under-21 final. They are going to be difficult opponents. I think it could go to the wire. I definitely think there is a big game in them,

‘‘They have quality footballers with lots of ability — and I’m sure they will feel that the Leinster final against Dublin is the place to deliver that type of performance.’’

At the same time, he wasn’t prepared to speculate on prospects in the All-Ireland series, saying that their sole ambition ‘at the moment’ is to complete a treble of provincial title wins.

“That means a huge amount to everyone in the Dublin squad. Three in a row would be a small bit of history for us, that’s what we’re focusing on at the moment.’’