Dublin have never managed to string three successive league titles together but in a fortnight’s time that opportunity will arise. Their bid survived quite a stern test yesterday and if twelve months ago their second-half blitz against Cork had their supporters in full voice, yesterday Dublin’s fans were simply relieved to prevail by a point.
They never stormed clear on the scoreboard in the manner that would have been forecasted. The important contributions of Jack McCaffrey, Denis Bastick and Dean Rock got them over the line on a day when some of their big stars didn’t shine as we have grown accustomed to. Still the job is done and carving a slice of history beckons for this team.
2. Cork’s goal scoring power wins out
Before yesterday Cork had raised ten green flags in this spring’s league campaign and they chose a perfect time to swell that number further. You have to go back to the 2013 All-Ireland quarter-final meltdown against Mayo for the last time that Donegal shipped four goals. Cork managed that feat yesterday and it vaulted them into the winners’ enclosure.
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There was a touch of fortune to their second goal from Colm O’Neill when the ball brushed against the upright and fell kindly for him to fist home. But the other three goals offered encouraging signs that Cork can be inventive in prising open defences and further evidence of the twin threat that O’Neill and Brian Hurley pose.
3. McManus shoots the lights out as Monaghan bounce back
The winning team didn’t supply the player bestowed with the man-of-the-match award in yesterday’s second league semi-final but it was difficult to quibble with the decision. 2013 Allstar Conor McManus’s performance helped shape Monaghan’s ability to stay competitive to the finish line.
After last week’s horror show in Clones, Monaghan needed to bounce back and McManus helped them achieve that. He was the subject of intense focus by the Dublin defence but caused them plenty headaches. McManus finished with 0-8 to his credit and every one of the five from play was a gem.
Conor McManus with Dublin's John Small and David Byrne. Tommy Grealy / INPHO
Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO
4. Where do Donegal’s interest levels lie?
Rory Gallagher spoke freely after Donegal’s defeat to Cork yesterday about the intense training schedule they are currently immersed in and where his team’s focus lies. Tyrone on 17 May is more important than Cork on 12 April.
Donegal’s performance seemed to be lack intensity at stages during the second-half and their defence wasn’t as watertight as we’re used to seeing. Shipping four goals was a striking statistic. But a league semi-final isn’t high on their list of priorities. The Ulster opener against Tyrone is where they’ll be judged.
5. Cork and Dublin to renew Croke Park league acquaintances
Last April’s league semi-final was one of the most remarkable Gaelic football games in 2014. Cork blitzed Dublin in the first-half and had cantered eight points clear by half-time. That lead stretched to ten early in the second-half but then Dublin launched an amazing comeback and ended up winning by seven.
It was an experience that wounded Cork but now they’re back in a league showdown at headquarters with Dublin. Cork are a team who have taken plenty from the league in 2015. They will want to show how much they have learned when they renew acquaintances in a fortnight’s time.
5 talking points as Cork and Dublin set up league final showdown
1. Dublin’s three-in-a-row bid stays on track
Dublin have never managed to string three successive league titles together but in a fortnight’s time that opportunity will arise. Their bid survived quite a stern test yesterday and if twelve months ago their second-half blitz against Cork had their supporters in full voice, yesterday Dublin’s fans were simply relieved to prevail by a point.
They never stormed clear on the scoreboard in the manner that would have been forecasted. The important contributions of Jack McCaffrey, Denis Bastick and Dean Rock got them over the line on a day when some of their big stars didn’t shine as we have grown accustomed to. Still the job is done and carving a slice of history beckons for this team.
2. Cork’s goal scoring power wins out
Before yesterday Cork had raised ten green flags in this spring’s league campaign and they chose a perfect time to swell that number further. You have to go back to the 2013 All-Ireland quarter-final meltdown against Mayo for the last time that Donegal shipped four goals. Cork managed that feat yesterday and it vaulted them into the winners’ enclosure.
There was a touch of fortune to their second goal from Colm O’Neill when the ball brushed against the upright and fell kindly for him to fist home. But the other three goals offered encouraging signs that Cork can be inventive in prising open defences and further evidence of the twin threat that O’Neill and Brian Hurley pose.
3. McManus shoots the lights out as Monaghan bounce back
The winning team didn’t supply the player bestowed with the man-of-the-match award in yesterday’s second league semi-final but it was difficult to quibble with the decision. 2013 Allstar Conor McManus’s performance helped shape Monaghan’s ability to stay competitive to the finish line.
After last week’s horror show in Clones, Monaghan needed to bounce back and McManus helped them achieve that. He was the subject of intense focus by the Dublin defence but caused them plenty headaches. McManus finished with 0-8 to his credit and every one of the five from play was a gem.
4. Where do Donegal’s interest levels lie?
Rory Gallagher spoke freely after Donegal’s defeat to Cork yesterday about the intense training schedule they are currently immersed in and where his team’s focus lies. Tyrone on 17 May is more important than Cork on 12 April.
Donegal’s performance seemed to be lack intensity at stages during the second-half and their defence wasn’t as watertight as we’re used to seeing. Shipping four goals was a striking statistic. But a league semi-final isn’t high on their list of priorities. The Ulster opener against Tyrone is where they’ll be judged.
5. Cork and Dublin to renew Croke Park league acquaintances
Last April’s league semi-final was one of the most remarkable Gaelic football games in 2014. Cork blitzed Dublin in the first-half and had cantered eight points clear by half-time. That lead stretched to ten early in the second-half but then Dublin launched an amazing comeback and ended up winning by seven.
It was an experience that wounded Cork but now they’re back in a league showdown at headquarters with Dublin. Cork are a team who have taken plenty from the league in 2015. They will want to show how much they have learned when they renew acquaintances in a fortnight’s time.
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