THEY’VE ALREADY BOOKED their place in the Allianz Football League semi-finals but Dublin won’t be holding anything back during their remaining Division 1 games against Donegal and Roscommon.
That’s according to in-form Dubs defender Mick Fitzsimons, who believes their campaign so far hasn’t been as flawless as their undefeated record might suggest.
Jim Gavin’s side are guaranteed a semi-final berth having won all five of their games to date, but the other three spots are still up for grabs heading into this weekend’s penultimate round of fixtures.
Dublin had a comfortable win against Down in their most recent outing, but prior to that trip to Newry they were pushed particularly close by both Cork and Monaghan. The defending champions have also defeated Mayo and Kerry in this season’s Allianz League.
Mick Fitzsimons has staked a strong claim to be the successor to Allstar full-back Rory O’Carroll, who’s unavailable this season after opting to take some time out to go travelling.
Having endured a long season in 2015, during which they secured League, Leinster and All-Ireland honours, Fitzsimons says it’s understandable that Dublin haven’t yet threatened to move into fifth gear in 2016.
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“In one or two of the games we were a little bit lucky so maybe that is why we haven’t lost one yet. Against Monaghan we could have easily lost that. We got a little bit lucky there,” Fitzsimons said.
Maybe the last two games have been the toughest but we haven’t hit full form yet, definitely. We haven’t done a huge amount of work because we won last year; we can only get so much done in pre-season because lads would be wrecked.”
Dublin welcome Donegal to Croke Park on Saturday evening, knowing that the Ulster side — who come into the game on the back of defeats to Roscommon and Kerry — will be gunning for a win to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place.
“That will benefit us because hopefully we will get the best Donegal team out there,” said Fitzsimons. “It’ll be a great challenge. That’s what we want going into these games. You want to play a team that is in good form. You want to get yourself in the best shape for a League semi-final or a final — and the Championship.”
Donegal’s disciplined defensive set-up has stifled Dublin in the past, most recently when they denied them a place in the 2014 All-Ireland final. Nevertheless, Fitzsimons has expressed his admiration for their approach.
“A lot of teams try and replicate what they do or set up similarly enough, but they move it fairly well, very quickly,” said the 26-year-old Cuala defender, who’ll be chasing his fourth senior All-Ireland medal this year.
“It’s always a bit more of a challenge probably playing someone like them, as opposed to a team that just sets up a blanket without practicing it. They know how to play quick football and it’s good football to watch as well. They can play in a few different ways.”
Paddy Andrews and Mick Fitzsimons at the announcement of the renewal of Linwoods' partnership with Dublin. Naoise Culhane
Naoise Culhane
Fitzsimons added: “What we’re looking to do is play good football despite what other teams might set up in front of us, as in if a team are more defensive still, it’s a good challenge for us to try and break it down.
“That’s the challenge; to continue to play free-flowing football, to continue to play attacking football, despite what you might be facing at the other end.”
With games against Donegal and Roscommon still to come, there’s a strong chance that Dublin could face either — or both — of them in a League semi-final or final. However, Fitzsimons insists that won’t alter their approach to their final two Division 1 fixtures.
“You just take each game as it comes,” he said. “You aren’t going to think about playing them in a League semi-final or a final. It will be a good challenge playing Roscommon and Donegal because both of them are flying. I don’t think we’ll be holding back.”
Dublin GAA is getting a healthy boost by partnering with the award-winning health food company, Linwoods, as their Official Health Food Partner. Click here for more information on the Linwoods product range, health benefits and mouth-watering recipes.
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Dubs star admits they've been lucky during undefeated start
THEY’VE ALREADY BOOKED their place in the Allianz Football League semi-finals but Dublin won’t be holding anything back during their remaining Division 1 games against Donegal and Roscommon.
That’s according to in-form Dubs defender Mick Fitzsimons, who believes their campaign so far hasn’t been as flawless as their undefeated record might suggest.
Jim Gavin’s side are guaranteed a semi-final berth having won all five of their games to date, but the other three spots are still up for grabs heading into this weekend’s penultimate round of fixtures.
Dublin had a comfortable win against Down in their most recent outing, but prior to that trip to Newry they were pushed particularly close by both Cork and Monaghan. The defending champions have also defeated Mayo and Kerry in this season’s Allianz League.
Mick Fitzsimons has staked a strong claim to be the successor to Allstar full-back Rory O’Carroll, who’s unavailable this season after opting to take some time out to go travelling.
Having endured a long season in 2015, during which they secured League, Leinster and All-Ireland honours, Fitzsimons says it’s understandable that Dublin haven’t yet threatened to move into fifth gear in 2016.
“In one or two of the games we were a little bit lucky so maybe that is why we haven’t lost one yet. Against Monaghan we could have easily lost that. We got a little bit lucky there,” Fitzsimons said.
Dublin welcome Donegal to Croke Park on Saturday evening, knowing that the Ulster side — who come into the game on the back of defeats to Roscommon and Kerry — will be gunning for a win to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place.
“That will benefit us because hopefully we will get the best Donegal team out there,” said Fitzsimons. “It’ll be a great challenge. That’s what we want going into these games. You want to play a team that is in good form. You want to get yourself in the best shape for a League semi-final or a final — and the Championship.”
Donegal’s disciplined defensive set-up has stifled Dublin in the past, most recently when they denied them a place in the 2014 All-Ireland final. Nevertheless, Fitzsimons has expressed his admiration for their approach.
“A lot of teams try and replicate what they do or set up similarly enough, but they move it fairly well, very quickly,” said the 26-year-old Cuala defender, who’ll be chasing his fourth senior All-Ireland medal this year.
“It’s always a bit more of a challenge probably playing someone like them, as opposed to a team that just sets up a blanket without practicing it. They know how to play quick football and it’s good football to watch as well. They can play in a few different ways.”
Fitzsimons added: “What we’re looking to do is play good football despite what other teams might set up in front of us, as in if a team are more defensive still, it’s a good challenge for us to try and break it down.
“That’s the challenge; to continue to play free-flowing football, to continue to play attacking football, despite what you might be facing at the other end.”
With games against Donegal and Roscommon still to come, there’s a strong chance that Dublin could face either — or both — of them in a League semi-final or final. However, Fitzsimons insists that won’t alter their approach to their final two Division 1 fixtures.
“You just take each game as it comes,” he said. “You aren’t going to think about playing them in a League semi-final or a final. It will be a good challenge playing Roscommon and Donegal because both of them are flying. I don’t think we’ll be holding back.”
Dublin GAA is getting a healthy boost by partnering with the award-winning health food company, Linwoods, as their Official Health Food Partner. Click here for more information on the Linwoods product range, health benefits and mouth-watering recipes.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
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