Advertisement
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.”

Close
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute robert o mahony
    Favourite robert o mahony
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 1:32 PM

    Feel the Rhythm Feel the Rhyme.Get on up, it’s bobsled time!

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Lyons
    Favourite Stephen Lyons
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 1:36 PM

    @robert o mahony: Ey Sanka

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Favourite Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 2:38 PM

    @Stephen Lyons: Ya dead?

    16
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin O Sullivan
    Favourite Kevin O Sullivan
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 7:34 PM

    @Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: ya man

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny B
    Favourite Johnny B
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 2:16 PM

    We had/have a bobsleigh team?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PJ Connolly
    Favourite PJ Connolly
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 2:23 PM

    @Johnny B: Some people y’know they say they can’t believe…

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Murphy
    Favourite Derek Murphy
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 2:30 PM

    @Johnny B: Yep. Have you never seen Cúl Runnings?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute @Kevinro1980
    Favourite @Kevinro1980
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 6:54 PM

    We shall call her talulla

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin O Sullivan
    Favourite Kevin O Sullivan
    Report
    Jun 29th 2020, 7:36 PM

    @@Kevinro1980: Tallulah, sounds like a 2 dollar hooker. Where did you come up with that?

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel