Tuesday, March 23, 2010

NFL - Cork 2-13 Dublin 2-06

It is very much back to the drawing board for the Blues as Cork destroyed Dublin’s game plan. The 100% record looked very much a dream as Cork ran rings around the Dublin team.

From early on Dublin looked in trouble when the superb Daniel Goulding buried a ball to the net. The Dublin system was put to the test from then on. For most of the rest of the game the entire Dublin team were behind the ball with only 2 forwards up around the square. This meant 2 immediate problems – (1) the hard working full back line had no where to pass the ball fater gaining possession (the full forwards so far away) & (2) Cork’s excellent half back line had the run of the pitch whenever they got control (3 men free unmarked & able to saunter up front at their leisure and see scores a plenty). Kevin McManamon did fire home a goal after 20ish minutes to raise hopes but another Rebel goal saw them out of sight at half time 6 points ahead.

The only highlight of the 2nd period was a goal from Bernard Brogan but it turned out to be only 1 of 2 2nd half scores and the Dubs were put to the sword.

Back to the drawing board after a hard lesson was surely learned.

Dublin – Michael Savage (St. Vincents); Paul Conlon (St. Vincents), Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala), Philip MacMahon (Ballymun Kickhams); Hugh Gill (St. Vincents), Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St. Vincents) (Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes) (30)); Eamon Fennell (O’Tooles) (0-01) (Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St. Endas) (60)), Ross McConnell (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes) (45)); Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams) (0-01), Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St. Endas) (Dean Kelly (Trinity Gaels) (35)), Paul Flynn (Fingallians) (Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St. Endas) (45) (0-01)); David Henry (Raheny), Bernard Brogan (St. Oliver Plunketts/ER) (1-02), Kevin McManamon (St. Judes) (1-01).

Cork - P OShea; R Carey, M Shields, E Cotter; N OLeary (S Kiely (60)), P Kissane (C O’Driscoll (65)), E Cadogan; N Murphy (C Sheehan (10) (0-02)), D Kavanagh (0-02); F Goold (F Lynch (65)), J Hayes, P Kelly (0-02); D Goulding (1-04), A OConnor (0-01), P Kerrigan (1-02).

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