Donegal tactics ‘adhering to their culture and strengths’
Donegal boast the lowest concession rate of the championship’s four remaining teams, the negative and defensive approach adopted under Jim McGuinness upsetting the game’s purists.
The counties most recent meeting — the 2011 All-Ireland semi-final — yielded just 14 scores, Donegal’s determination to pile 14-men inside their half of the field taking the blanket defence to a new level. Gavin insists a county must adhere to their culture and strengths.
“The 2011 All-Ireland semi-final was a very intriguing game. Both sides set themselves up to win and that is the job of any inter-county manager,” Gavin told Dublin GAA TV.
“There is no right or wrong way to play inter-county football. That is the beauty of the sport. Management can set their team up whatever way they see fit for that particular county. Counties have different cultures as to how they play football. In Dublin we play football the way we inherited it from the managers and players who have gone before us. 2011 was a very interesting game and it was very interesting to see how the game unfolded tactically. I think we will see something similar on Sunday.
“Donegal have been very impressive this season. They have gained promotion back to Division 1 of the league. They had a great provincial campaign, a great win over Monaghan in the Ulster final. Jim has done a fantastic job with Donegal over the past four years. Their great success is a testament to his work — three Ulster titles and an All-Ireland crown is a phenomenal achievement. The Donegal players are very familiar with their system and very comfortable with it.”
Panel strength has been the cornerstone of Dublin’s dominance in recent summers, 24 players used by Gavin in their four championship outings to date.
“We don’t refer to numbers, that is not part of the language or vocabulary of the players. And whether they start or come on is irrelevant. They are all marching in the same direction and they all want to be the best they can be. They realise that sometimes finishing a game is more important than starting.
“Our tactics will vary depending on what team we are playing. From the perspective of management it is about getting the best out of the players. In the games itself, it is about the players making it happen and the role of the manager is facilitating that process.
“Looking back on the tape against Monaghan the most pleasing part of the performance was the composure the players showed. There is a great trust amongst the players in the squad. That mental strength they have displayed all season was again evident, particularly in the first quarter.
“We know we are privileged to be representing Dublin and there is a responsibility to be the best we can be and we will try our very best on Sunday.”
Dublin GAA TV
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