JIM GAVIN HAS brushed off claims that Dublin have abandoned their expansive style and are following the pack towards a blanket defence.
The tactical reality, he insists, is much more complex.
Gavin’s Dubs share part-responsibility for the worst game of the Allianz National Football League, a mind-numbingly dull 0-8 to 0-4 win against Derry.
It was heralded as ‘the death of Gaelic football’ but Gavin believes simplistic criticism is undermining the art of organised defending and smart counter-attacking.
“First and foremost, defence is a part of every team’s game,” he said.
“Teams have different philosophies and different cultures, and we like to play a particular way, but defence is a part of our game and always has been.
“I think we have been defensively strong and we do an awful lot of work technically on the art of defending, but also tactically. That’s the first thing, it is an area that we really really go hard after.
The term ‘blanket defence,’ the devil is in the detail and doesn’t do justice to how intricate some of the defensive systems are.
The challenge for Dublin — and for all teams — is in finding a way around the clash of cultures to win the game, Gavin continued.
“Going as far back as 2011, when Donegal came up, I did say that I was surprised at the comments that were made about the Donegal system. I thought it was inventive. It took a lot of hard work for them to play it that way.
It’s not just a blanket – that word doesn’t explain it all. There’s players going man-to-man, there’s players going zonal, it’s a combination of both.
“And obviously they’re playing a counter-attacking style of play. So, some teams set themselves up to play a counter-attacking style of play and some other teams want to play a more expansive game.
“And the challenge for both of us – whatever system you play – is you’re trying to break the other system down. So I think, from a coaching perspective, it’s a challenge and it’s certainly one that we’re embracing in the Dublin camp.”
“I can’t influence what people write about us,” he added.
Of course there are going to be patches in play where you have men behind the ball. In a moment in time that will always happen, because players don’t want to concede points and for whatever reason they’re covering off space.
“But I think you need to look at the tactical formation of the defensive structure and where does that start and what’s the philosophy of the team, and that will tell you more about what way they’ll play.”
Well said Jim Galvin. The sheep that don’t look at the game objectively are too quick to throw in the blanket defence criticism. Sports evolve, it’s up to the tacticians to think of new ways to win.
I think you mean subjectively.
Wait sorry missed the “don’t”
The media in this Country have too much of a say when it comes to all things GAA. If Brolly doesn’t like something he goes on a 30 minute rant on RTE after a live match. Then he’s brought onto Today FM on the Monday to explain himself a bit better, then it’s plastered over the newspapers for months.
Personally I don’t mind Dublin implementing this defensive style of play because they can go up the other end and score and generally create a very entertaining game. What I can’t stand is 2 bog average teams both playing blanket defences which lead to more of a boring possession game with very few sores.
It’s handy when you have the quality players, and strength in depth of quality players that could hit it over the black spot on jones road.
However, I do think people are being dramatic saying the gaa is dying etc etc. I can’t think of many teams that won the all Ireland that didn’t deserve it. Regardless of their style of play. Whether they might be set up defensively or not, they can still produce enthralling games.
I think the only issue, is that their seems to be a clear gap developing with the top 6 or 7 counties and the rest of the country. If something is not done by respective county boards, we will end up with a system like in hurling that cannibalise the provincial structures.
I do think gaa is in a far stronger position then we give it credit for, however atmosphere at most games and attendance need improvement.
A reduction in ticket prices, or even a reduction in the amount of times croker is used, would I believe dramatically improve how the game is seen, portrayed and indeed played.
Also, Meath for Sam!
Agree, bringing the wife and son means a pricey day in Croker
Sure the wives can listen on the radio while they’re getting the dinner ready! The kids get in for free!
You were getting getting a green thumb from me till I read your 2nd comment.
Ah now, the tongue was firmly in cheek with the second comment!
In 2009 donegal were hamered by cork in an allireland quarter a young micheal murphy scored some great points for them that day. Macguinnes gets the job changes fitness and game plan and build a team around murphy and macfadden up front win sam 3 years later and last year only for durcan kicking the ball to donaghy u never know… they were nt in the top six or seven that long ago so its not creating a gap. Dublin kept getting hammered when we came out of leinster and gilroy brought in a new generation and game plan in 2010. If u want to win all irelands u have to be able to beat the ultra defensive blanket defense along the line. That two recent examples
Can I get this article framed? Jim McGuinness’ interview after the Dublin game last year was iconic – “in any team sport there’s 2 facets to the game – attack and defence – each are equally important.” – or words to that affect. In fairness Gavin and his players had respect for Donegal last year – it is the reporters that slated their style and didn’t recognise how much of s battle it is to get out of Ulster.
It’s interesting that more and more reporters are using the term counter-attacking now that the style is gaining popularity outside of Ulster.
Yeah its still hard to watch though
True but the trouble with the blanket defence is a lot of the time its just bringing bodies back to cover up space we actually dont get to a lot of the skills of defending in fact this blanket defence covers up for a lot of average defenders playing the game at the highest level
Dont agree I’d rather see coaches and managers put more emphasis on getting players to prefect the skills of the game rather than thinking up a plan to stop the opposition
The skills of the game should be the priority but reality is teams will set up defensive and its skill that beats it in the end using them in the right way
Defending is a skill too. It devalues the attacking if you have no defence to overcome. #exhibitionmatch
I think me and you have different philosophises on how we reckon the game should be played I’d rather see a free flowing attacking skilful game you’re happy the way it is the game as it’s currently played is fine but I still think there’s a few minor things that need to be adjusted the way it is at the moment a lot of people seem to think its a poor spectacle an that’s turning a lot of people off I for one think if a lot of supporters are complaining about the way the game is being played and are finding it boring then something about the game needs to be addressed it they can’t all be wrong it seems a lot of supporters want to see a free flowing attacking skillful game like myself and I think the gaa should try and compensate before supporters stop following the game all together at the end of the day no supporters no game
It’s called the blanket defence because watching it makes you want to go to sleep
Who’s Jim Galvin? Anything to Mick?