Moran: Dubs can do it

FORMER Dublin captain Colin Moran believes the extra week’s preparation has given Pat Gilroy the edge over Mickey Harte in the all-important midfield battle tomorrow.

Moran, who had to retire in 2009 with a hip injury, was on the 2008 team embarrassed by Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-final that was delayed by a week, similar to this year’s game.

However, the Ballyboden St Enda’s man is confident the extra seven days will be more of an advantage than a hindrance to his county’s footballers this year.

He reckons it will have given more time to Eamonn Fennell and Ross McConnell to get match-fit as well as Michael Darragh MacAuley, who broke his finger in the Leinster semi-final against Kildare.

“Back in 2008, we came into an All-Ireland quarter-final after winning a Leinster final by 20-odd points, whereas this year Wexford were beaten again, but Dublin were a bit lucky to win and were below their own standards,” compared Moran.

“Over the last four weeks they would have asked hard questions of themselves and Pat would have been asked hard questions of the players, no more so than in midfield, which is going to be vital on Saturday.

“He’ll be delighted with the extra week for his midfielders. It will have given the likes of Ross McConnell and Eamonn Fennell more game time.

“They’d have played very little football this year with injuries but that could be a positive — and Michael Darragh MacAuley.”

According to Moran, the game could be won or lost with the substitutes, especially around the midfield area.

“It’s nearly as interesting to look at the subs’ benches as it is to look at the starting 15s. Tyrone have quality on their bench with their old players. They have so much experience there so it’s important Dublin have quality guys to bring in as well.

“Bryan Cullen has been one of Dublin’s best players so far this season and when they took him off in the league final (against Cork) they really struggled.

“For me, it was great to see David Henry come on in the Leinster final because he’s the type of player you need around the middle third who, like Bryan Cullen, uses the ball well and takes the right option and covers the danger.

“If Eamonn Fennell starts, he probably won’t play 70 minutes at that pace. But Pat is playing with his full midfield hand for the first time this year and Ross McConnell could have a big part to play.”

Moran knows Dublin got a big monkey off their back in beating Tyrone last year. However, he fancies the white and red jersey might just be the impetus to bring out Dublin’s biggest performance of the season.

“I know Tyrone, but I have felt all season Dublin have been jumping the hurdles put in front of them without doing more than what’s required. I think there’s a big game on them Saturday.

“Even when they went ahead against Kildare and were down to 14 men in the second half, they controlled the game without going full throttle.

“The sight of the Tyrone jersey will evoke a lot of memories. They exorcised a lot of ghosts with the win last year but this is a season-defining game for both teams so I expect there to be a lot of intensity, more than Dublin have shown so far this year.”