Ó Ceallacháin and Dubs left to ponder 'big question' on lack of early energy 

CAN'T WATCH IT: Dublin manager Niall Ó Ceallacháin

Niall Ó Ceallacháin left the Gaelic Grounds knowing that Dublin could’ve beaten Clare, but with some figuring out to do as to why they lacked energy and aggression in the first half. When posed with that latter conundrum, he could only agree: “Sure, that’s the big question.” 

The Boys in Blue boss felt that his side can learn lots from both halves. They lost the first by 2-15 to 2-5, but won the second by 1-15 to 0-11.

“The first half wasn’t near where it needed to be,” he said. “There was a big breeze – there absolutely was – but our levels of performance weren’t where they need to be in that first half and we got punished heavily. Went in ten points down; to be honest, it could have been more by half-time.

“Second half, we were really, really good. Got on top. Our levels of energy, our aggression, got to the point of contact every time.

“It seemed in the first half, Clare were taking very handy ball all over the place. We weren’t basically at it.

“We found in the second half, then, that wasn’t happening. We were breaking the ball, getting the ball to ground, really good on the ground and got a bit of energy and momentum from that. And we certainly could have won the game.” 

When asked if it was frustrating watching the first half, Ó Ceallacháin replied: “It’s easy for me on the line to be unhappy with it, but we’ve all been there.

“The challenge at this level is to be at it, play by play… no matter what the scoreline is. That’s what the top teams do. We have to look at ourselves as regards that first half there.

“Their full-forward line was extremely potent in that first half. That’s something that we have to look at, and we will.” 

Cian O’Sullivan’s shot for a levelling goal in the 65th minute, which was parried over the crossbar by Éibhear Quilligan, was a sliding doors moment. The St Brigid’s top-scorer had Fergal Whitely free in space at the far post.

“It felt like for a 10- or 11-minute period, we were there, two or three in it, three to four. A goal at that point… we got it back to two, but never got it back to one,” said Ó Ceallacháin. “Listen, they would probably say that they held it at that two to three all the time.” 

Dónal Burke could yet come into contention for their Leinster opener against Offaly on Saturday week.

“We just have to see with Dónal. He’s not long, long, long-term… We just have to see in the next two weeks. Soft tissue injury,” said Ó Ceallacháin.

“The likes of Seán Currie and David Purcell have been out for a good while. We’ll just have to see how things pan out in the next few weeks. They didn’t play league at all, so it’s getting tight now. We’re playing against Offaly, who played in 1A and have had that challenge for the last six or eight weeks.

“To get promoted was great, but the extra benefit was to get a league final like that against a team like Clare, to be ready.”