Former Dubs star O’Leary tells Monaghan ‘take game to champs’
Dublin enjoyed an average winning margin of 14-points when sauntering to a ninth provincial title in 10 years and O’Leary has been infuriated by teams’ persistence to stand off them.
The former All-Ireland-winning captain believes the sole method Malachy O’Rourke’s charges can use to dethrone the title holders is if they take the game to Dublin.
“Monaghan will bring a different style of football this Saturday. They will cause Dublin a few problems around the pitch,” noted O’Leary.
“They are a big, strong physical team. They will bring the physical challenge Dublin expected from Meath, the physical challenge Dublin haven’t faced in the championship this year. Conor McManus, Kieran Hughes and Vinny Corey are excellent forwards. Their backs are also very good and love to charge up the field.
“What will be important more so than anything is how Monaghan set up. I feel to beat Dublin you have to go toe-to-toe with them. You have to take the game to them. If you stand back and allow them possession, invite them up the pitch and don’t challenge their kick-outs, it is very hard to play against Dublin when you don’t have possession. It is very hard to defend against wave after wave after wave of Dublin attack. Your best bet is to get possession and go at Dublin.”
He added: “For Monaghan, it is important to stay in the game as long as they can. The mistake with teams is they back off Dublin, they invite the boxer onto them, what Muhammad Ali did against George Foreman. That won’t work against Dublin.”
Paul Bealin has been removed as Westmeath manager after one season following a county board vote last night.
The former Dublin manager was not ratified to continue in the position, picking up just 12 votes with 37 delegates electing to go against him.
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