Sean Shanley laughs off Kieran McGeeney’s ‘physical Dubs’ claims

Dublin chairman Sean Shanley says Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney’s claim that they are more physical than northern teams is laughable.

McGeeney believes both Dublin and Kerry have “bigger men and harder hitters” than the likes of his own Armagh and Donegal.

But Shanley has dismissed the former Kildare boss’ assertions.

“I’d laugh at what he said, that’s what I’d do. Dublin are recognised as a team that play good, open football.”

Shanley suggested McGeeney is attempting to take the focus off his own team’s physical abilities.

“It’s looked on that they (Ulster teams) are tough with mass defences and their heavy tackling. It’s certainly not the attacking teams like Dublin that are doing it.”

On the possibility of Dublin’s senior footballers receiving a bye to the Leinster semi-finals next year, Shanley said there were pros and cons to the suggestion.

Leinster chairman John Horan has touted the idea, similar to the provision awarded to the province’s reigning hurling champions.

“It would be helpful to get our local championship going, number one,” said Shanley. “If we had another two weeks we would be able to get games played.

However, every match in Leinster helps and as you saw last weekend there were new lads blooded. Other counties might also think it’s unfair. But from a local point of view, getting the championship games played would help.”

Meanwhile, the Dublin County Board yesterday postponed four senior football championship games scheduled to take place this weekend. The presence of dual players lining out for Ger Cunningham’s hurlers against Galway in Saturday’s Leinster quarter-final replay in Tullamore meant the board had to act.

The games, including Ballyboden St Enda’s v Kilmacud Crokes and St Jude’s v St Brigid’s, have yet to be refixed.

“Boden and Crokes would have dual players as would St Brigid’s,” explained Shanley.

“This is the whole thing that upsets master fixtures. One draw and the whole thing is thrown out of shape.”