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Gilroy on the sideline for what proved to be his last game in charge of the Dubs. James Crombie/INPHO

'I had an eye on Donegal': Pat Gilroy blames himself for Dublin's 2012 loss to Mayo

‘I saw (Donegal) as the real danger that year.’

FORMER DUBLIN MANAGER Pat Gilroy says he blames himself for the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final loss to Mayo which proved to be his final match in charge.

The perennial challengers from Connacht won out 0-19 to 0-16 at Croke Park eight years ago. Along the way they led by six points at half time and, at one stage, by 10.

Speaking with Dublin GAA’s in-house show The Hop Ball (watch from after the 40-minute mark below), Gilroy rued his own preparations, saying he devoted too much attention to Donegal on the other side of the draw.

“Donegal were so strong and they were doing so much damage to teams, I had an eye on them and how I wanted us to play (in the final) and I didn’t spend enough time on Mayo,” Gilroy admitted.

Dublin GAA / YouTube

“I would blame myself very strongly for allowing them to get that 10-point lead,” he added, suggesting the influence of former trainer Mickey Whelan was missed on the panel.

“That’s one thing that Mickey would have been excellent on. He’d have been probing and asking more of them. I had spent a little bit too much time looking at Donegal. I saw them as the real danger that year.

“I was travelling up watching them in the Ulster Championship. I was watching every video I could get my hands on, to make sure we had enough things in our armoury.

“It’s something I would certainly hold my hand up on.”

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Apr 16th 2020, 8:46 PM

    God bless TG4, what a service they provide.

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    Mute Frank Scanlon
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    Apr 16th 2020, 8:01 PM

    No games involving Cork, the usual anti-Cork bias from the national media

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    Mute Seamus O'Caolaidhé
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    Apr 16th 2020, 8:52 PM

    @Frank Scanlon: yeah agreed, they should show 93 football final ! I’m a Derry man btw :)

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    Mute Spailpeen Farrell
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    Apr 16th 2020, 9:07 PM

    @Frank Scanlon: wel have to go back to the black and white stuff shortly for cork footage at the rate they are going

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    Mute Eoghan O'Leary
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    Apr 16th 2020, 9:24 PM

    @Frank Scanlon: 3 viewers choice games in there Frank. You should have got the rebels to vote.

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Apr 16th 2020, 10:34 PM

    @Seamus O’Caolaidhé: what a Derry team that was. Henry Downey was some leader of men. Mugged off Cork in the final, mugged them off good and proper.

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    Mute Barry Tallon
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    Apr 16th 2020, 10:56 PM

    @Frank Scanlon: Your shoulder surely must be getting too small for that chip

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    Mute Frank Scanlon
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    Apr 16th 2020, 11:30 PM

    @Barry Tallon: Don’t worry Barry I have big shoulders

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    Mute Francis Maher
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    Apr 16th 2020, 8:42 PM

    There’s more to the GAA than Cork…

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    Mute jay bernard
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    Apr 16th 2020, 9:06 PM

    Would love to see the Derry v Down game in 1994…fantastic game of the best two teams in the country right then

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    Mute Mel Roberts
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    Apr 16th 2020, 10:42 PM

    @jay bernard: one of the greatest games ever played

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    Mute James Durkan
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    Apr 16th 2020, 8:27 PM

    Ye, was hoping they’d show the 1983 Semi. Best day out in Cork ever.

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    Mute Mel Roberts
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    Apr 16th 2020, 10:42 PM

    The Tyrone Kerry final was some game of football in 2005. Some of the scores were unreal. Wasn’t very enjoyable at the time though. Caravans goal that day was something else

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    Mute Barry Tallon
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    Apr 16th 2020, 10:58 PM

    @Mel Roberts: Great to see you’re happy with something Melanie

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Apr 16th 2020, 11:01 PM

    @Mel Roberts: I’d like to see the Tyrone v Armagh semi final in 2005. Such a tense game. That was a great Armagh side, being brutal they probably underachieved not winning that second All-Ireland.

    Mickey Harte is the GOAT.

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    Mute Mel Roberts
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    Apr 16th 2020, 11:15 PM

    @Robb Stark: Armagh winning ulster in 2005 probably cost them that all Ireland. The drawn ulster final and replay both at Croke park that year were titanic tussles as well. I’ve never felt as tense an atmosphere as that semi final as you say though. Was poetic Canavan getting the winner after what happened with the sending off in the ulster replay

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    Mute Redhandtim
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    Apr 17th 2020, 10:43 AM

    @Robb Stark: GOAT as football manager or politician?

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Apr 17th 2020, 11:53 AM

    @Mel Roberts: Stevie McDonnell was one of the best forwards of the last 30 years. It’s just that often he didn’t have enough firepower to aid him. Ronan Clarke’s injuries were a killer.

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    Mute Summer Bay Devil
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    Apr 17th 2020, 3:46 PM

    @Mel Roberts: Cracker alright, but would give the nod to the 08 final.

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    Mute Peadar
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    Apr 18th 2020, 10:24 AM

    @Mel Roberts: super final as was 2008

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    Mute Seamus McSpud
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    Apr 17th 2020, 1:35 AM

    88 hurling final wasn’t a classic but was probably the toughest game of hurling of all times.

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    Mute John kane
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    Apr 17th 2020, 7:57 AM

    @Seamus McSpud: did you watch it in super savers with Síle Mc spud

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    Mute John kane
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    Apr 17th 2020, 7:57 AM

    @Seamus McSpud: did you watch it in super savers with Síle Mc spud

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