Dublin Team: Let's 3 Positive!!

Dublin Side named

Goalkeeper: Steven Cluxton

Full Back line: Phillip McMahon; Rory O’Carroll; Michael Fitzsimons

Half Back line: James McCarthy; Ger Brennan; Kevin Nolan

Midfield: Michael Dara McAuley & Eamon Fennell

Half Forward line: Paul Flynn; Alan Brogan; Bryan Cullen

Full Forward line: Dairmuid Connolly Kevin McManamon; Bernard Brogan

First thoughts

So the usual morning press conference has taken place and Dublin has showed their hand. Three players short of their All-Ireland winning team (name them) will contest their opener against us on Sunday.

First of all I like our match ups (more on this later) and the poor gambles taken on Gilroys part, Luckily for us, he’s played it Safe.

Here’s 3 Selection indicators of Dublin’s intent that play into our hands.

1- Johnny Cooper et al, not getting the nod after an impressive league. 

'You can’t experiment all throughout the league and then not back them when it comes to championship, It just sends out the wrong message and dents the players confidence.

Gilroy has done this with his selection and by doing so, has played right into our hands.
This will also take an edge of hunger off Dublin, no Newcomers and alot of all-ireland winners might make feel like they have nothing to prove.'

2- Kevin McManamon in at full forward, O’Gara not starting.

'Delighted not to see Eoghan O’Gara Starting, He absolutely tormented us in 2010, we couldn’t handle his athleticism and shear power. Although, there is always the possibility he could come on and cause damage! To be honest I’d take that, rather see him start and feel his way into the game.

Instead we have The Dessie Farrell lookalike, McManamon starting at full forward not his most natural position and his Selection there might upset the balance of their forward line.'

3-And the inclusion of Bernard Brogan.

‘WHAT?’ You must say?
‘The Inclusion!??’
YES the inclusion!!!

Bernard is nowhere near where he should be in term of fitness, his inclusion alone sends out the perfect indicator of Dublin’s intent on this game.

‘Lets Start Bernard, give him some game time ease his way back to fitness , sure it’s only Louth!’

If that’s not an indicator of Dublin’s outlook i don’t know what is. Lets make them pay for that cockiness.

When you are defending champions you must have the same hunger and outlook as before you were victorious, you must go for it, rather than holding back...and on...to what you had.

Dublin and Gilroy with this selection have indicated they are still in 2011, The pressure of retaining has forced them into safe decisions and with their game based on hunger and intensity, some players have had an easy ride into the side than others. 

Which will do nothing for their morale and their overall ethos...

But everything for ours...

(Bastick, O’Sullivan and Cahill) are the 3 omissions? You get them?