Dublin still haven’t hit top gear, says Paddy Andrews
, their win over Down on Saturday their 11th victory in a row.
“We’ve played five games in the league and we’ve won five probably without really hitting top gear,” said Andrews, “but guys are just comfortable and we know what we’re doing. We know how to win the games and myself as much as anyone else there, it’s just kind of that confidence. You know what you’re at, at this stage, really.”
It gives Andrews the assurance Rory O’Carroll and Jack McCaffrey’s absences this summer won’t be felt too much.
“Rory and Jack are fantastic players but we’re not overly reliant on one guy doing one job. Everyone in the group, the 34/35 guys that are still there, know how we want to play, what works for our team, what doesn’t work. If someone steps out, another lad can step in and you’ve probably seen that even in the five games to date in the league, I think we’ve made changes pretty much for every game and our performance hasn’t really dropped off. I think we’re well placed to absorb the losses.”
Andrews has no intention of following O’Carroll’s example and contemplating the probability of never playing for Dublin again. “I don’t really know what’s going on inside Rory’s head. He’s happy enough that he’s made that decision. I don’t know, maybe it’s because he’s had that level of success over the last number of years that he’s kind of thinking, ‘oh well, I’ve done that, I want to experience something else’.
“For Rory it’s just a decision he made, and if he is quite happy with it, then all you can do is wish him the best.”
Meanwhile, Oisín Gough has noticed conjecture about difficulties in the Dublin hurling camp have disappeared as they have racked up the wins to seal their quarter-final spot.
“Some names had left but once we started performances back to back... it’s funny, when things are going well they don’t talk about it as much, only when things are going badly. We don’t focus on that, we only focus on playing as best we can.”
Gough admits Dublin’s style has changed slightly under Ger Cunningham.
“Our focus is on work-rate. We have a gameplan and it’s mainly about using the ball, trying not to hit aimless balls on the back foot. We try to work the ball around the park, keep possession, get scores. It’s less swashbuckling hurling than people are used to, and more workmanlike, methodical.”
* Andrews and Gough were speaking at an event to promote Dublin GAA’s official health food partner, Linwoods.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
