Is the student Gilroy ready to start doling out a few lessons?

EYEBROWS were raised in the GAA and in Dublin in particular when Pat Gilroy was appointed as Dublin manager for the 2009 season.

His successful business and significant IQ were seen as pivotal in the appointment of a novice manager with no experience. Apply a business model to the Dublin team and success would follow. Football isn’t as simple as that though. Trying to break football down to a formula or applying logic can be futile. One of the most important aspects of being a manager is having a human side and developing a feel for the game. However many didn’t realise the St Vincent’s man’s pedigree. Kevin Heffernan is his godfather.

CS Lewis explained experience well when he described it as “that most brutal of teachers, but by God you learn”. This has been the theme of Gilroy’s management. He has had some hard lessons but he has learned, improved and moved on. In 2009 he initially leaned heavily on Mickey Whelan but as he progressed, he has became his own man more and more. So what are the major lessons that he has learned and how has he applied them?

The easiest improvement to pick up on is their defensive structure. Against Kerry in 2009 they conceded 1-24. A hurling score. It could easily have been worse. Gilroy realised that to win an All-Ireland they would have to build from the back. In the following year’s league campaign they became ultra defensive, placing a wall of bodies across the field, tackling ferociously in the middle third and crowding the space at the back. Gilroy discovered that as league became championship this was easy to do in Parnell Park but not Croke Park. This year Dublin played all of their home league games in Croke Park. He wanted to condition his game plan for later. To achieve a better balance between defence and attack they are kicking the ball more. Learning all the time.

Possibly the most valuable lesson has been the strengths and weaknesses of his players and, most importantly, their best positions. Brian Clough was a big believer in playing players in their best positions, rather than asking them to do something they were uncomfortable with. Not one of the six backs that started against Kerry in 2009 will play in a defensive berth tomorrow. Denis Bastick was full back two years ago where he was badly exposed and now plays midfield where he has been very effective. Two other successful moves have been the relocation to the half-forward line of Barry Cahill and especially Bryan Cullen. Gilroy realised Cullen could still play virtually the same role but from No. 12 rather than the heart of defence. Ger Brennan now plays as a sweeper from centre back and is much less inclined to go forward, thus giving far greater protection. Barry Cahill also had a tendency to drive on from the wing and has also been shunted forward. He was very effective at centre-forward against Tyrone. He did struggle to impact against Donegal but so did many of his team mates. Playing this pair in the half forward line with Paul Flynn gives Dublin a great outlet for kick-outs out the field.

Cluxton likes to keep possession from his kick-outs. In the past he did this by dinking ball into pockets of space created in their half-back line. He can now go longer giving his team an attacking platform further up the field. Learning, learning, learning.

The most successful reinvention has been that of Bernard Brogan. In the 2009 encounter Brogan played wing forward. He scored one point from play and converted two frees. His direct opponent Tomás O Sé dominated him in play and eclipsed him on the scoreboard. Playing on the wing did not suit him. He was being asked to do things alien to him. Win breaking ball, tackle hard and help your backs. Remember Mr Clough? Brogan is a finisher. He needs to play close to goal. He can kick off left and right and he will score. He ended 2010 as the footballer of the year.

However there was still a problem. He tired towards the end of games as he was being asked to play inside on his own a lot of the time with little support and a huge scoring burden fell on his shoulders. When Dublin needed him most late in tight championship games their star forward’s tank was empty. Gilroy knew that for 2011 he’d have to give Brogan more support. Diarmuid Connolly, unsuited to the half- forward line now rides shotgun and takes watching also. Brogan’s brother Alan plays off the front two as a supplier but can also finish. A better balance to their attack.

The 2011 model also limits the amount of scoreable frees conceded. This was probably the biggest lesson from 2010. Tired, lazy tackles late on cost them against Cork in last year’s semi final. They foul further from goal now to ensure opposition free taker’s don’t become a hero as Donncha O’Connor did last year.

Pat Gilroy has learned since 2009. He has applied the lessons well and his team has evolved to the point of being close to completing his vision. Have they come far enough? Is he finished learning lessons and is he ready to dispense a few?