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Analysis: How has Conor Murray been playing in the Six Nations?

The 29-year-old is not quite at his best but the concern around him has been exaggerated.

LAST UPDATE | 26 Feb 2019

YOU’RE NEVER AS good as they say you are and you’re never as bad as they say you are.

It’s a maxim that the late Anthony Foley always tried to remember and it’s one that Ireland, you’d expect, have been living by in recent seasons under Joe Schmidt.

It’s also a mantra that Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton may be reminding themselves of at present, with their form not yet hitting the memorable heights of 2018 – although those memories are, of course, sugarcoated and we’re forgetting the errors they made along with the brilliance of their play at other times.

Murray Murray was frustrated by a second-half handling error against Italy.

Murray and Sexton were deservedly lauded for their contributions to the Grand Slam and a series win in Australia last year, while they’re now facing criticism with Ireland underperforming in this year’s Six Nations. 

Murray returned from a long-term neck/shoulder when he made a replacement appearance for Munster against Zebre on 25 November.

Between then and the start of the Six Nations, the Limerick man played 493 minutes of rugby for his province.

In contrast, the injury-free Murray had played 832 minutes of rugby for Munster last season before the start of the 2018 Six Nations.

Clearly, Murray came into this year’s Six Nations with less rugby behind him and he remains on the pathway back to his best form after missing almost three months at the start of the season.

The wastage on his left arm is clearly visible but the mechanics of his play and willingness to enter contact don’t appear to have been affected by this.

The debate around Murray’s form has been ever-present since the England game and magnified in the wake of last weekend’s win in Italy, when the scrum-half made two notable errors.

There were plenty of strong aspects to his performances but those two errors have possibly clouded the reality of what Murray has brought for Ireland over the course of this Six Nations.

Passing

The key duty for any scrum-half is passing and Murray is generally one of the best passers in the game, offering consistent accuracy.

There have been examples of poor passes from the Ireland scrum-half in this championship but, largely, he has performed well in this area, improving with each game.

We have reviewed each and every one of his passes in the three games so far in order to get a better understanding of his overall competence here.

Against England, we counted four of Murray’s 100 passes as ‘poor,’ whereby the ball went to ground or noticeably made the target player check to receive it, as in the case below.

1

Murray is firing off a pass after receiving the ball from the lineout, with out-half Sexton his target.

It’s a demanding pass of around 15 metres but Murray would have been disappointed with this effort.

2

As we can see above, Sexton has to stoop towards the ground to receive the ball.

There were a further four passes from Murray in this game that we marked as ‘inaccurate,’ a category above ‘poor.’

In these cases, Murray’s pass was not ideal for the receiver and though it didn’t make them check, it did add an extra demand to their job.

3

Murray is passing to Josh van der Flier in the instance above.

As we can see below, van der Flier has to reach up towards his head to gather the ball.

4

The pass doesn’t cause van der Flier to completely check his stride but it does deprive him of split-seconds that may have resulted in a better ball carry.

Otherwise, Murray’s passing against the English consisted of ‘accurate’ passes, whereby Murray delivered the ball at the ideal height and power, as well as out in front of or directly to the target as required.

Against Scotland, we counted three ‘poor’ passes and a further four ‘inaccurate’ efforts, from his total of 114, another solid return.

5

The pass above, in the 48th minute, went to ground but it’s an interesting scenario that is about more than the pass.

In this instance, there was apparent confusion around Murray as to who the target was. Quinn Roux and Sean O’Brien are to the left of the ruck, while Joey Carbery and Bundee Aki are out the back door. 

With no one quite putting their hand up to receive the ball, Murray’s pass goes to ground in front of Aki and though Keith Earls recovers it, Ireland are turned over at the subsequent breakdown.

This incident points to the overall lack of cohesion Ireland have had in this championship. Murray needs to be more decisive in controlling the situation, of course, but the lack of certainty around him feeds into his pass going to ground.

Against Italy, Murray improved again with three ‘poor’ passes and one ‘inaccurate’ release, amidst even sharper delivery on his accurate efforts and some good decision-making around the ruck.

On the phase just before Roux’s opening try, Murray delivered a peach of a pass for Chris Farrell to make crucial metres.

6

Murray takes advantage of the good build-up play, especially Tadhg Furlong’s offload to Roux on the previous phase, to pick and run just off the fringe of the breakdown.

Murray’s decision is excellent, as he opts to skip the ball past Sean Cronin – the obvious target – and instead pick out Farrell running a superb line that Ireland have built into their game over the past year or so.

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Italy tighthead Simone Ferrari [red above] can’t resist biting in on Cronin, leaving Farrell bursting into space on his outside. 

Farrell does get stopped short, but on the next phase Murray makes a short pass to Roux and the second row batters over – one of the Ireland scrum-half’s two try assists in this game.

All in all, Murray’s passing against Italy shows that he still has room for improvement, but the 29-year-old is moving in the right direction in this regard.

Around the fringes

Murray possesses a strong running game, helping him towards 14 tries in his 70 Tests so far.

Ireland have tended to use his height and power around the rucks and even on set-piece plays, as we saw early on against England.

1

From the initial lineout, Murray hits Sexton [white above] and the out-half tips-on a pass for Aki to carry hard [yellow] and set the platform.

On second phase, Ireland bounce back against the grain, with Murray passing to Furlong [white below] and then looping around the tighthead [yellow] and accepting the return pass.

2

Murray then sells a dummy, which sees England’s Kyle Sinckler drifting off him and onto the screaming Cian Healy.

The space briefly opens up for Murray but George Kruis does a fine job of getting beyond Furlong after the tighthead’s pass and scragging Murray in a tackle. It’s worth noting that Owen Farrell was in position sweeping behind the frontline but an early break here would have been huge for Murray’s confidence.

As it was, Murray only had a single other genuine ball-carry in this game, trying to force his way over from close-range just before Healy scored in the first half.

The lack of sniping and variation from Murray was a concern, though it improved against Scotland, when the scrum-half had two snipes at the fringes of rucks among a total of nine carries – one set-piece play and some backfield cover making up some of the rest.

6

Ireland had issues with the variety of their phase play in the Scotland 22 – this improved collectively against Italy – and Murray’s lack of carrying was part of that problem but on this occasion, he scoops the ball and runs an arc to the left of the ruck.

He has forwards to his left in position to carry but instead backs his own power.

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Murray makes a valuable gain for Ireland and, while they don’t have the scrum-half on his feet for the next phase, the ball-carrying pressure is briefly lifted from his forwards in this lengthy passage of attack.

We saw the value of Murray’s running arc and pass against Italy earlier, but his best carry of the championship so far came in the second half in Rome.

After an excellent carry from Dave Kilcoyne, Murray identifies that opposite number Tito Tebaldi [white below] is isolated at the fringe of the ruck.

8

Furlong, on Murray’s right, can see the same picture as his scrum-half picks and darts.

Snipe

Click here if you cannot view the clip above

Murray surges forward, fends Tebaldi, then gets the ball back into two hands and offloads to Furlong on his right. 

Italy knock the ball loose in their tackle on Furlong but Andrea Lovotti picks the ball up in an offside position and Ireland kick the penalty down the left-hand touchline, eventually resulting in Keith Earls’ try – the second assist Murray had in this game. 

There is certainly far more to come from Murray’s abilities around the fringes of rucks, but he appears to be moving in the right direction. 

It’s worth briefly noting that Murray has been running clever lines off the ball with little reward so far in this championship, as below against Scotland.

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Ireland have a three-on-two out on the right edge of their attack here but, unfortunately for Murray, Aki opts to carry instead of passing and Murray’s optimistic support line – pre-empting the break in order to be in a good support position – is not rewarded.

Murray did get a five-point reward for his follow-up play against Scotland, of course, but he will continue to work hard off the ball in the hope that when Ireland’s attack clicks into top gear, he will be on the shoulder in support of the linebreaks. 

Errors

The main concern around Murray in recent days seems to have stemmed from the errors he made against Italy.

In the fourth minute, Murray dropped the ball forward but that was largely down to a poor pass from the lineout by Sean O’Brien.

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Ireland have used Murray out beyond the 15-metre line as part of their ‘backline’ attack frequently in this championship – Munster have been doing the same this season – and instead using one of the forwards to pass off the lineout.

O’Brien’s pass is too far in front of Murray here and also dips at the finish, resulting in Murray failing to gather it in and letting Italy off the hook in a situation where Ireland are normally clinical from.

The most notable error in Murray’s game was being stripped of the ball by Tebaldi in the 38th minute, leading to Luca Morisi’s try.

1

Ireland’s maul makes good progress but with Federico Ruzza fighting his way through the middle to threaten the ball, Murray opts to arc off [yellow above] and make a short pass to Stockdale to carry.

Though Stockdale gets over the gainline in a double tackle, he is suddenly isolated as Tebaldi [red below] arrives across to threaten over the ball.

2

Farrell [yellow above] is the arriving support player but we can see that Morisi [12] is blocking his access in at Tebaldi.

At this point, Murray should really be considering hitting the breakdown himself to remove the threat of Tebaldi but he leaves Farrell to do that job, keen to play the ball away and take advantage of Italy’s disorganised defence.

Farrell does engage Tebaldi – coming from the side although arguably being forced to do so by Morisi’s positioning – with Tebaldi clearly flopping off his feet at first and hoping Farrell will drive him back up as he latches onto the ball.

5

As we can see below, Tebaldi is driven back up onto his feet but Farrell doesn’t finish the clearout and slips beyond the Italy scrum-half [yellow below].

3

Sexton, recognising the threat, has arrived up towards the ruck. Sexton first uses his hand to signal to referee Glen Jackson his belief that Tebaldi is off his feet, then uses the same right hand to point Murray at Tebaldi – seemingly telling him to hit the clearout.

In the next second, as Murray is gathering the ball, Sexton points to the left to indicate to Murray to pass to the arriving Cronin on that side of the ruck.

Murray, though, looks to his right as he lifts the ball and Tebaldi, having fought to stay on his feet, comes forward and gets a hand in on the ball.

7

Murray is clearly taken by surprise and feels Tebaldi is coming from an illegal position as the Italian snaffles the ball.

Perhaps the most disappointing element from Murray’s point of view is his reaction.

Having lost the ball and with Jackson shouting, “straight through [the middle of the breakdown]” Murray disengages and actually turns his back on Tebaldi.

8

Murray is in a better position than anyone to nip the counter-attacking danger in the bud but instead throws his arm up in appeal as Tebaldi slips through the grasp of Sexton, beats O’Brien’s covering tackle attempt and surges out of the Italy 22.

“He felt that the player was offside, but you can feel whatever you like – it is the game and you’ve got to get back into the game and you can’t let somebody have the ball when it’s in your hands,” said Schmidt post-game.

Later, Murray was pick-pocketed for a second time, much to his frustration.

Again, the play comes off the back of an Irish maul as Murray looks to shift the ball infield.

11

Just as Murray looks to pull the trigger on his pass, Italy’s David Sisi stretches out and grabs the scrum-half’s right arm… 

10

… forcing the ball loose and forward for a Murray knock-on.

Sisi is entitled to reach out from the maul, although his initial involvement in this maul is questionable as he appears to enter from the side. However, Jackson is happy with that aspect of the game and Sisi cleverly reaches out to spoil.

Again, Ireland appeal, with Murray questioning the legality of Sisi’s actions but he is likely to reflect that he needs to be slightly more aware and sharper in getting the ball away in similar situations in the future.

Kicking

Only England’s Ben Youngs [49] has made more kicks in play than Murray’s 35 in this year’s Six Nations, so there has been plenty of evidence to study in this regard.

Similarly to the rest of his game, Murray has been improving in this department as the championship has progressed.

His kicking performance against England was a little mixed, with some poor examples and some examples of kicking excellence.

Below, we get an example of the former.

1

Murray has identified that England wing Jonny May [yellow] is up in the frontline, leaving fullback Elliot Daly with lots of backfield space to cover.

Murray scoops the ball from the ruck and looks to kick on the diagonal to his right…

2

… but makes a poor connection with the ball, slicing up and over it rather than through it, and his kick has a low trajectory without much power.

That gives May time to track back and gather the ball…

3

… as Daly [red] covers across. A better kick from Murray and England might have been in a dangerous situation deep in that right corner. Good decision, but the execution comes up short. 

Murray had three strong touch-finding clearances from the Ireland 22 in this game, although he missed touch in one tricky situation near their goal-line, while he did manage to give his chasing players a chance in a number of contestable kicks.

A first-half injury to Earls meant he was slightly hesitant to get up in the air for two of those, although Garry Ringrose retrieved one superbly.

4

Murray hangs the box kick in the air for over four seconds and around 25 metres upfield, ideal criteria to allow competition, with Ringrose [yellow above] leading the chase.

Crucially, Ringrose gets clear access in towards the landing point of the kick, not being blocked off by England’s ‘escort’.

5

It means Ringrose can actually get into the air to regain the ball, as Daly fails to do so for England – a big momentum-lifting moment for Ireland to reward Murray’s fine kick.

Ireland had no similar success against Scotland, however, as Schmidt’s side generally opted to kick long on a windy day at Murrayfield.

These tactics meant Murray only sent up three kicks that were of the contestable variety, with Scotland’s escorting proving difficult to break down.

1

We get an example early in the game here, as Murray hangs up a box kick for Earls [yellow] to chase.

The retreating Greig Laidlaw cleverly times and angles his run to get just in front of Earls [red below] as Sean Maitland goes to collect Murray’s kick.

2

Earls is blocked from potentially going up into a contest for the ball.

It’s worth noting here that Ireland escort opposition kick chasers, as does every team in the world, although it’s been interesting to note referees’ willingness to accept even changes of retreating line in this championship.

It has also been noticeable that chasing players pushing retreating defenders has been accepted – as with Earls and Edoardo Padovani last weekend or Owen Farrell shoving Aki on kick chase against Ireland.

Perhaps Ireland need to be more streetwise and aggressive in getting through to compete for Murray’s box kicks when they’re being escorted.

Murray only kicked six times against Italy and Stockdale regained one of his contestables, while Andrew Conway came close to doing the same earlier in the game.

Murray’s final kick of the day brought a little more frustration as Stockdale found his running line impeded and couldn’t get into the contest under another excellent kick.

While the volume was low against Italy, this improved kicking performance from Murray will be encouraging for Schmidt.

Defending

While it might be understandable for someone having returned relatively recently from a shoulder/neck issue to avoid contact as much as possible, Murray has been as willing a defender as ever for Ireland.

Against England, he made 13 tackles and missed one – slipping off the powerful Manu Tuilagi as the centre switched back underneath him on a scrum attack.

Murray has always been a strong defender and he made some excellent tackles on big English carriers in the opening game of the championship.

3

As we can see above, Murray generally operates as part of Ireland’s frontline defence, with defence coach Andy Farrell keen to have bodies up in the frontline generating linespeed.

Murray makes a good low tackle on Mark Wilson in this instance, killing his possibility of driving through the tackle…

4

… allowing assist tackler Peter O’Mahony to compete and slow down the English possession.

Earlier in the game, Murray did get slightly left behind in the Irish defensive line for the opening English try, as we discussed at the time.

5

Murray is left behind Ringrose on his inside and Earls on his outside here, and this may have fed into Earls’ decision to shoot up – which Farrell brilliantly took advantage of.

That said, it’s a poor read from Earls on the edge that allows Ireland to get skirted, and Murray showed sharpness in defence for much of the rest of the game.

Against Scotland, Murray was not in the defensive frontline as often for Ireland, as they responded to their backfield issues against England by often dropping the scrum-half into the backfield, where he had one excellent bit of cover play after a Scottish kick.

Murray did make five tackles in the game and again looked comfortable defensively.

With Ireland dominating possession against Italy, Murray only made three tackles although he did register two ‘missed tackles’ on the official stats sheet.

One of those came as he looked for linespeed and was well covered by Farrell on his outside, not quite a miss in contact, while the other was a poor effort on kick chase on Jayden Hayward, which Farrell also covered.

A rare blip from a man who remains an important defender for Ireland and will likely add more impact in this area as his confidence grows.

Contributing

It’s worth highlighting that Murray also assumed the place-kicking duties for Ireland against Scotland – for one kick only – and Italy, kicking all three of his shots at goal for a 100% return.

Shot

The conversion of his own try against Italy was the best of the lot, around 13 metres in from the left touchline. 

Place-kicking is a useful tool for Murray to possess and his hard work on the training ground in this department could prove important again in the future.

While there is natural concern as the scrum-half remains short of his best, there has also certainly been a degree of exaggeration around his current form, as tends to be the case in the world of professional sport.

Murray himself will be focusing on making incremental improvements as he works back towards the world-class performances he knows he is more than capable of.

Originally published at 18.46

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:45 PM

    Great dublin team that will dominate for another few years! But its the most boring championship I can remember! How many games have been won by 10/15 points. It’s painful to watch

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    Mute Jamie
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:56 PM

    Well that match wasn’t much good

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:01 PM

    @Jamie: I know thank God I support Liverpool!

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    Mute Gordon Nash
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:01 PM

    @Yorkie1892: The Dubs have adapted and learned to beat the ultra defensive system. In fact they’ve almost mastered it at this stage. Back to the drawing board for everyone else.

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    Mute George Hogan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:03 PM

    @Jamie: Up the Dubs….Horrible vexatious and prejudiced article appeared in the Irish Times the other day. Will be joining in on the newspaper ban. Won’t be taking my news from the Irish Times any time soon.

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    Mute Niall Quinlan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:30 PM

    @George Hogan: I won’t be renewing my online subscription with the Irish Times either after that disgusting article.

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    Mute Talleyrand Frye
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:53 PM

    @Niall Quinlan: Which article was this?

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    Mute George Hogan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 8:16 PM

    @Talleyrand Frye:

    It’s a badly written tirade against Dubliners by someone who clearly has a number of chips on both her shoulders. Everyone enjoys a bit of inter-regional banter, but this piece is just mean-spirited. Many Dubs and many non-Dubs who love Dublin are just irritated that this piece of garbage journalism is presented by the IT which invariably speaks to those who would like to see the urban – rural divide increase. The writer must know, there are many in Dublin who are ecstatic that she ‘can’t afford to live in Dublin’. We want harmony not division.
    :::
    https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/why-i-m-glad-i-can-t-afford-to-live-in-dublin-1.3193536

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    Mute filthypete
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    Aug 27th 2017, 8:31 PM

    @Yorkie1892: except for all the draws!

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    Mute Talleyrand Frye
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:36 PM

    @George Hogan: Ya fair enough – as a Corkman, that article is shite. I mean, there are a few West Brits as described in the article knocking about Dublin, but most Dubs I know are nothing like that.

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    Mute George Hogan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 10:16 PM

    @Talleyrand Frye: West Brits everywhere. Are you new to the Journal? Love Cork, btw!

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    Mute Aidan O
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    Aug 27th 2017, 11:14 PM

    @Yorkie1892: small ball next weekend cheer up should be cracker

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    Mute Talleyrand Frye
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    Aug 28th 2017, 12:04 AM

    @George Hogan: True that – every county has them unfortunately! Have been knocking around the Journal for a while, but only surface to make a comment every now and again! Lived in Dublin for a while, liked it a lot and have good time for most people I met in Dublin. As you said, some inter-county banter is a bit of fun, but stupid stereotypes like in that article are only written to annoy people and don’t offer any real insight to their chosen topic at all.

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:48 PM

    Tyrone could never win with all there players in there own half. What’s the point in turning up with those tactics?

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    Mute Tír Eoghain Gael
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    Aug 27th 2017, 11:29 PM

    @Martin Sinnott: Daft rehashing of lazy arguments. The few times that Tyrone got the ball into scoring zones, Dublin too brought 15 men behind the ball.

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    Mute Gerry Murphy
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    Aug 28th 2017, 12:28 AM

    @Martin Sinnott: Dubs win at a canter game over after 20 mins, Tyrone want to develop attacking game to have any chance in years to come, Dublin the one team that would blow ultra defensive teams out of the water with their forward play, this could only be good for football.. Mayo will put it up to the Dubs, think. 2 best teams by a country mile in the final and both teams will go on the attack. Shows Ulster football have fallen so far…Derry minors play a lovely brand of football though

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    Mute John Carroll
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    Aug 28th 2017, 2:47 AM

    @Gerry Murphy:”Two best teams by a country mile” you say!! don’t think so Ted,Dubin are way ahead of the rest at the moment but Mayo are an average side at a time of very poor quality inter county football teams.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:44 PM

    Stroll in the park in the end for the Dubs.

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    Mute Brian Shaw
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    Aug 27th 2017, 8:36 PM

    @j4VEpUO8: Mayo for Jam!!

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    Mute Abe Brennan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 10:49 PM

    @Brian Shaw: Mayo for sandwiches.

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    Mute Tadhg O Ceallaigh
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:20 PM

    what a reception for eric lowndes

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:46 PM

    Tyrone are horrible to watch . Time for micky to step down hes done a great job but time for a change. Are bench is good enough to start for most county teams, brogan didnt even get on today. Good to see dermo back but i wouldn be starting him in the final. Con is some baller , so much talent in this squad i cant see mayo beating us. But if they do fair play to them .

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    Mute Yop
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:03 PM

    Tactically Dublin got it spot on. Avoided bringing the ball into contact and being bottled up by that Tyrone defence and switching the play from side to side to stretch them and work the openings. Resulted in a less exciting game but yielded the desired the result so fair play to Jim Gavin and co

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    Mute Nightowl
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:47 PM

    Well done Dublin! But what a boring game to watch ! So one sided ! Hopefully the end of blanket defence

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    Mute JJ O Riordan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:45 PM

    That’s the 3 in a row then.

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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:50 PM

    @JJ O Riordan: never count your chickens before they’ve hatched!….

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    Mute Michael Horgan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:53 PM

    @Kate Flaherty: we’re from Dublin City. We don’t own chickens

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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:11 PM

    @Michael Horgan: I know lots of Dubs with chicks!…..

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    Mute Markonline
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:16 PM

    Scratching, pecking and laying all before them.

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    Mute Thomas McGilly
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:23 PM

    @JJ O Riordan: I’m a Dub and Mayo will be a very different animal to anything we’ve faced this year. Mayo will bring an athleticism, battle hardened edge and intensity that Dublin will not have faced this season. There was only a kick of the ball between them last year and Mayo are hungrier and better than they were last year.

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    Mute Barry O'Carroll
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:26 PM

    @Thomas McGilly: Heard all of the above before the Tyrone game today zzzzzzz

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    Mute The metropolitans
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:00 PM

    @Kate Flaherty: all depends on how many chickens you have

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    Mute Thomas McGilly
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:10 PM

    @Barry O’Carroll: You must not have watched the match yesterday and last week. Tyrone didn’t lay a meaningful hand on Dublin all game. Most unlike them but that’s what happened. Mayo hit Kerry all over the place and will do the same to Dublin.

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    Mute Turk Oneeighttwo
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:25 PM

    @Thomas McGilly: Spot on analysis Thomas. Tyrone simply lay down when the only plan they had didn’t work. Pundits heaping acclaim on Dubs are idiots, Dublin have had no test whatever this year. Mayo are battle hardened and the only team in the country as Dublin’s equal. The Dubs could well be caught cold in the final, playing pretty footie today against zone marking statues will count for little in 3 weeks against physical power of Mayo.

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    Mute Dave Sherman
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    Aug 27th 2017, 8:33 PM

    No chickens, but plenty of turkeys.

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    Mute Gerard Smith
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    Aug 28th 2017, 4:21 AM

    @Turk Oneeighttwo: I agree that Dublin have not had a serious test this year but exactly who are Mayo battle hardened from playing? The poorest Kerry team I’ve seen in years? One thing is for sure. Mayo have not played a team of Dublin calibre this year either. I think Mayo are a fantastic team with huge grit as well as skill but they haven’t pulled up any trees this year either. Gavin referenced last year’s final after today’s match saying that Dublin didn’t turn up for either game. I don’t think that will happen this year. I think it will be a cracking game but games against poor opposition doesn’t battle harden you. They were well beaten by Roscommon this year (albeit early in the year). This Dublin team is now starting to show a streak of ruthlessness for 70 minutes. The 3 week rest might actually go against Mayo as they have been used to quick turnarounds all season. But the biggest factor could be the managers. Rochford is capable of some very strange tactical decisions. Should be very interesting! One things for sure. If Mayo beat Dublin they will have earned Sam and I don’t think anyone (even in Dublin) would begrudge them that. But it’s still a very big if.

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    Mute Jim Brennan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:58 PM

    Easily the worst game in years, no fault of Dublin, they are just to good. Mayo have a chance however.

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    Mute Johnnie Sexton
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    Aug 28th 2017, 12:39 AM

    @Jim Brennan: reckon it’ll be a lot more entertaining and free flowing than what was shown today. Just hoping that Gough isn’t ref…..

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    Mute Ballybunion
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:53 PM

    Mayo will be beaten by more than 15 points in the final. They may as well give Dublin the trophy now.

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    Mute Desheen
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:17 PM

    @Ballybunion:

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    Mute Spodo Comodo
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:17 PM

    Dublin are some outfit and hard to look past but everyone was saying that last year and 1 pt separated them after 2 games. They were going to get hammered by kerry the last two weeks as well sure.

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    Mute John Dixon
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:24 PM

    @Ballybunion: Eh I doubt that very much

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    Mute Brendan Farrell
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:26 PM

    @Spodo Comodo: dublin looked a tired outfit last year by September. They seem a very different animal this year with fresh forwards and extra fresh subs

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    Mute Rugby Junkie
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:56 PM

    @Ballybunion: good man!!! Maybe we should just do away with the competition and give it to the Dubs every year!!

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    Mute John Dixon
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:17 PM

    The final will be a very different game for obvious reasons. Mayo playing good attacking football , if they can handle the Dublin forwards and don’t sh17e themselves it’s there for them.

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    Mute Brendan Farrell
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:27 PM

    @John Dixon: that’s a big IF

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    Mute JustOneScoop
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:07 PM

    @John Dixon: there for them…. They’ll have to take it and take it hard. Theres nothing there for them

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    Mute carl victory
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:10 PM

    I love this team

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    Mute Sam Walsh
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:56 PM

    Expected Dublin to win by 5+ and that materialised in the end. Looking forward to the final with two traditional teams. Cant see the Dubs being beaten.

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:56 PM

    Game of Tyrones finale…..

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    Mute Ray Hyland
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:44 PM

    That was a disgraceful performance by Tyrone. Utterly inept. Their tactics must surely now be consigned to history. Two proper football teams in the final. Bring it on!

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    Mute Tír Eoghain Gael
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    Aug 27th 2017, 11:31 PM

    @Ray Hyland: Tyrone not a proper team because they didnt play well today? Cop yourself on.

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    Mute Gerry Murphy
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    Aug 28th 2017, 12:34 AM

    @Ray Hyland: Hopefully be the end of watching Tyrones defensive tactics, horrible team to watch, end of Mickey Harte? -today was a bore fest, 2 good attacking teams will serve up a great final.

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    Mute DJ Cronin
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:47 PM

    Awful indictment of Mickeys Hartes tactics or lack of, terrible contest, Dubs are outstanding and have huge depth. Still reckon ”tis Mayos Year, Rockford and Buckley have the Dubs sussed.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:29 PM

    @DJ Cronin: Hahahaha, good man. Jebus loves a believer

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    Mute fella la fella
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:04 PM

    @DJ Cronin: ah yeah they clearly have the dubs Sussed since they’ve (rochford and Buckley) never beaten them. Awful logic.

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    Mute Larry Whelan
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:45 PM

    i watched the first 30 minutes and had enough ..i took my dog for a walk..more fun..
    words like Dublin is the best team ever bla bla ..
    its easy to be a great team when the ball is passed from one UNMARKED PLAYER to another..
    Where is our game of football where the full back marked the full fowward .the corner back marked the corner forward ..the centre back ..the mid field etc marked their
    oppossite number..you had to be better than your opponent (marker )
    to win the ball
    Gaelic football has become a joke .
    its like the Mayweather and Mcgregor fight ..its all about money..
    Our great game has been ruined ..
    The great Micko connell must be a very sad man today…
    Thank God the GREAT game of hurling is still intact ..I wonder for how long
    ..

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    Mute Yop
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:53 PM

    @Larry Whelan: summers were nicer and the guards were taller too…

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    Mute fella la fella
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:05 PM

    @Larry Whelan: bitter old fool.

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    Mute PJ Kickham
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    Aug 27th 2017, 10:24 PM

    @Larry Whelan: not a very fair comment on Dublin there Larry, the Dubs are providing a master class in football every time they take the field. It is up to other teams to match the intensity, skill and passion which Dublin bring to the table. It is over 30 years since this country has had the chance to celebrate a treble winning side, so let’s put all this city v country rivalry aside and get behind the greatest team of the modern era making history for all of us to enjoy. Let me hear you say it from Kenmare to Killybegs and everywhere in between “UP THE DUBS”!!!

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    Mute John Carroll
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    Aug 28th 2017, 2:56 AM

    @larry whelan:Don’t be talking a load of ould shite teams of mick o connells era or more recent indeed would not keep it kicked out to the likes of this modern day Dublin team.Christ back in them days players could hardly solo the ball move on or go to the bingo!!!

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    Mute Willie the kid
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    Aug 27th 2017, 5:52 PM

    2 rubbish semi finals but yet the pundits tell us football is in a great place. Non stop hand-passing, unnecessary frees, unnecessary yellow & black cards,constant stoppages & the game is just a complete borefest to watch.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:31 PM

    @Willie the kid: then why bother watching?

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    Mute Quad Quad
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:51 PM

    @j4VEpUO8: because you can’t form an opinion if you don’t watch it

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    Mute Willie the kid
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    Aug 27th 2017, 7:11 PM

    @j4VEpUO8: Because I live in hope..

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    Mute Dave Bolger
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:16 PM

    Has to be the worse championship in years, and next year we will have to endure even more one sided games when the super 8s come in.

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    Mute DuskyTheCat
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:58 PM

    Back up to Tyrone with their soccer haircuts…

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    Mute Tony Mcgrath
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:12 PM

    How can u have super 8 when u don’t even have super 4

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    Mute John Rag Scales
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    Aug 27th 2017, 10:04 PM

    Up the dubs.where are all the kingdom mouths today????chasing fairies with Danny PMSL.always next year.

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    Mute Johnnie Sexton
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    Aug 28th 2017, 12:36 AM

    Tyrone played same way since 08 and haven’t changed, result no all ireland finals since. They need fresh vision and better tactician. They never chased the game and basically had no plan b.

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    Mute Peadar Ó Gréacháin
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:06 PM

    Lucky enough I doubled them up with Arsenal…..takes the sting out of it …

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    Mute Gerry Glynn
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    Aug 27th 2017, 6:19 PM

    Good Dublin team. I would not pay 2 euro to see that type of game every time. Same game start to finish

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    Mute John Fitzpatrick
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    Aug 27th 2017, 11:43 PM

    Dublin easily the better team today. Can’t see Mayo stopping them either.

    ‘Ridonculous’ is the word to describe how good Con O’Callaghan is.

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    Mute Donnacha Bhoicaire
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:54 PM

    Well done to Dublin but the worst championship of all time. The gap in class now between top 4 or 5 and the rest is becoming irreversible. This is the first time I watched the premiership over a all ireland semi final.

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    Mute Fergus Flynn
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    Aug 28th 2017, 9:44 AM

    Darren Daly made the last pass for Eoghan O Gara’s goal, not Con O Callaghan, credit where it is due

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    Mute trebloc01
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:38 PM

    Qualifying for semi final via the Provincial routes does not guarantee that the top teams will meet.

    In fact the semis are an anti climax

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    Mute trebloc01
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    Aug 27th 2017, 9:33 PM

    A load of rubbish
    The GAA are killing our native sports

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    Mute fella la fella
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    Aug 28th 2017, 3:15 AM

    @trebloc01: in other words. The dubs are the best and I want change since our own bum teams can’t beat them.

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    Mute Donnacha Bhoicaire
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    Aug 28th 2017, 7:57 AM

    @fella la fella: he’s right. You have to look at the environments of the other counties in terms of funding, liaisons officers, players, facilities. Regardless of it being Dublin, Kerry, Mayo etc something needs to be done. If at the start of the years you were asked what the semi final line up was you’d of guessed that 4 am I right ?

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    Mute Thomas Fitzpatrick
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    Aug 28th 2017, 1:58 PM

    Boring game, threw in the towel after ten minutes of the second half and headed for home, absolutely no competition. Mayo can beat the Dubs by man to man marking.

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