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Allianz Football League Division 1 – Dublin 3-10 Kerry 1-15

February 26, 2011 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Plenty for everyone in Croker scorefest

Dublin 3-10 Kerry 1-15

By John Fogarty for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Monday, February 28, 2011

IT’S the goals that are winning these games for Dublin. It sure isn’t the points. For the second time in seven days, they scored three goals yet were well beaten in the points department. There were more damning facts for Pat Gilroy to digest. Kerry registered 16 scores to their 13. After 50 minutes, Dublin had a dismal three points (2-3) to their credit. Michael Darragh MacAuley’s 51st minute goal reawakened Dublin and set them on a path to a third straight Division One win but it was understandable why Gilroy was keen to temper the victory.

In his first year in 2009, he bought into the idea of attempting to outscore teams, taking risks at the back to commit more players forward. Kerry showed up the folly of such a tactic. He’s been trying to get away from it ever since. “We’d be very happy to have two more points but conceding 18 points in inter-county?” shrugged Gilroy. “Now I will make allowances for the fact that it is Croke Park and there is extra space at this time of the year. “But 18 points, I think we have the worst defensive record now in the league, so we have a lot of work to do. “We seemed to be doing okay for the first 60 minutes but then our defence was not good in the last 10 minutes so we have plenty to be working on. The goals are saving our bacon and it is great to create them. Again we had a number of chances apart from the ones we got so we have to be very happy with that. You can’t knock that.”

If Gilroy got the result he wanted, Jack O’Connor was rewarded with the performance he demanded. They hauled back four-point deficits in both halves, were the better side for long periods and can count themselves unlucky not to have picked up a point. “Overall, we’re encouraged,” he said. “The Dubs are very fit and full of running and 15 minutes into the second-half it looked like they might over-run us. I thought we showed great courage and chipped away a few scores there at the end. I’m happy with the performance but disappointed not to get a point out of it.”

Kerry had recovered well from Tomas Quinn and Kevin McManamon’s goals in the first 15 minutes, scoring one of their own via Bryan Sheehan’s penalty then pegging back Dublin to restore parity at the break, Sheehan’s free in added time making it 1-6 to 2-3. With David Moran showing real mettle in midfield, they kept Dublin scoreless for the first 13 minutes of the second-half while at the same time adding on a couple of points (although they’ll rue their total of 15 wides). Even when Dublin’s revival — sparked by MacAuley’s goal obliterated Kerry’s advantage and saw the home side hold a four-point lead with eight minutes left, Kerry didn’t panic.

Donnchadh Walsh was a magnet for the ball and went about feeding Darran O’Sullivan and Colm Cooper for scores. The latter looked to have the beating of Dublin on his own when he knocked over a couple of points in as many minutes to level things up at the end of normal time. But then Bernard Brogan, who had played second fiddle to Marc Ó Sé for most of the game, managed to slip him and score the winner. After some handbags stuff between players and a dispute over where Kerry’s free should be taken, there was still time for Sheehan to shoot from 50 metres but he sent it wide. In the league table, Kerry had nothing to show for their efforts but O’Connor found plenty of nourishment from the game. Cooper, for one, was back to his best. “This is his theatre,” said the manager. “If he plays as well as that for the rest of the year we’ll have every chance.”

It was Moran’s success that warmed O’Connor most. “Dave Moran contributed a ferocious amount of ball after that and turned in a great display in the middle of the field, which is also very encouraging because it has been a problem area for us. I thought himself and Scanlon acquitted themselves very well even though the Dubs have a great system going with the kick-outs now. You have to hand it to (Stephen) Cluxton, he’s able to hit the target more often than not.” It was Cluxton’s kick-outs that Kerry targeted to such effect in 2009. As for Gilroy, he allowed himself to cite the positives of the win as well as the obvious negatives. Dublin kicked just six wides, two coming in the second-half. Their conversion rate pleased him.

“I think we created a lot of chances last year and we didn’t take them. Even in the Cork match in the semi-final we had a number of chances and fluffed them. I think we are a bit more clinical. We have been doing a lot of work on it, and they seem to be coming from different people, so we’d have to be happy with that.”

Dublin: S Cluxton; A Hubbard, S Murray, M Fitzsimons; D Lally (0-1), J McCarthy, P Casey; D Bastick, B Cahill; P Flynn (0-1), K McManamon (1-1), D Connolly; T Quinn (1-0), E O’Gara (0-1), B Brogan (0-4, 3 frees).

Subs used: MD Macauley (1-1) for Bastick (half-time), A Brogan (0-1) for Quinn, B Cullen for Connolly (both 49), G Brennan for McCarthy (52), P Andrews for Flynn (64).

Kerry: B Kealy; P Reidy, M O Se, K Young; T O Se, E Brosnan, A O’Mahony; S Scanlon, B Sheehan (1-5, 1 penalty, 4 frees); D Moran (0-1), Darran O’Sullivan (0-2), D Walsh (0-1); C Cooper (0-6, 1 free), K Donaghy, D Geaney.

Subs used: K O’Leary for D Geaney (21 mins), J Lyne for T O Se (54), A Maher for Brosnan (58), A O’Connell for O’Mahony (66).

Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo)

Goals vital for the Dubs

From the GAA.ie web site

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Dublin remain undefeated at the top of Division 1 of the Allianz Football League after goals proved critical in beating Kerry by 3-10 to 1-15 at Croke Park on Saturday night. Following on from the good win over Cork at GAA Headquarters a week previously, the Dubs once again provided excitement for those attracted by the Spring Series, with this game in the balance right up until the very end, when a late Bryan Sheehan free which would have levelled the game dropped wide. From the very start, this was event-filled, Tomás Quinn finding the net for Dublin as early as the third minute, but just four minutes later Sheehan levelled the game at the unusual score of 1-0 apiece as he converted a penalty after Colm Cooper had been fouled. After Bernard Brogan and Cooper had traded frees, the game produced an amazing third goal by the 14th minute as Eoghan O’Gara’s shot was blocked but Kevin McManamon was on hand to fire home the rebound and make it 2-2 to 1-1. Some good frees from Cooper and Sheehan began to reel in the lead as Dublin endured a scoring drought, however, and by half-time it was 2-3 to 1-6.

At the outset of the second half, the Kingdom were asserting themselves, with Sheehan impressive from placed balls, but in the 51st minute, Dublin sub Michael Dara Macauley scored a third goal with a drop kick to put the hosts 3-4 to 1-9 ahead, and they would not trail again after that. Despite the best efforts of Sheehan, Dublin had the momentum with them by now and opened up some daylight before Kerry began to reel them in as the end neared, however they could not find the equaliser and Pat Gilroy’s side extended their 100% record in the league. Elsewhere in the League, Down also remain unbeaten after they beat Armagh 0-12 to 0-11 at Páirc Esler, while in Division 2 Antrim overcame Meath on a 0-14 to 0-11 scoreline.

Team News

The Kerry Senior Football team V Dublin Saturday 26th February 2011

1. Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin)

2. Pádraig Reidy (Scartaglin) 3. Marc Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) 4. Killian Young (Renard)

5. Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht) 6. Eoin Brosnan (Dr. Crokes) 7. Aidan O’Mahony (Rathmore)

8. Seamus Scanlon (Currow) 9. Bryan Sheehan (St. Mary’s)

10. David Moran (Kerins O’Rahilly’s) 11. Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar) 12. Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane)

13. Colm Cooper (Captain) Dr. Crokes 14. Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks) 15. David Geaney (An Daingean)

Substitutes:

16. Tomás Mac a t’Saoir (An Ghaeltacht) 17. Anthony Maher (Duagh) 18. Jonathan Lyne (Legion) 19. Gary O’Driscoll (Skellig Rangers) 20. Paul Geaney (An Daingean) 21. Kieran O’Leary (Dr. Crokes) 22. Adrian O’Connell (St Michael’s Foilmore) 23. Peter Crowley (Laune Rangers) 24. Daithí Casey (Dr. Crokes)

Bainisteóir: Jack O’Connor (Piarsaigh Na Dromada)

Traenálaí: Alan O’Sullivan (Kerins O’Rahillys)

Roghnóirí: Ger O’Keeffe (Austin Stacks) & Diarmuid Murphy (An Daingean)

Media Release

Thursday, 20 January 2011

Four Nights, Eight Games, Four Gigs: All Part of the “Dublin Spring Series” at Croke Park

Dublin County Board announce ticket pricing and entertainment initiative to promote the 2011 Allianz Leagues home games

The Dublin County Board today announced details of an exciting and ground-breaking promotional campaign around the Dublin football and hurling Allianz Leagues home games which is being billed as the “Dublin Spring Series”. This will consist of eight games; four football, two hurling, one camogie and another to be confirmed along with four music acts all of which can be attended for just €45 (an adult stand ticket for all four games) or just €55 for one adult and one child for all four events.

The Series begins on Saturday, 19th February with a double header under lights when Dublin’s footballers and hurlers will take on All-Ireland champions in both codes, Cork and Tipperary. Pop sensations and Dublin fans, Jedward, will add to this superb event by providing entertainment between the games.

All Dublin football home Allianz League matches including Kerry (26th February), Mayo (20th March) and All-Ireland finalists Down (2nd April) will be a part of this series as well as the hurlers home match against Kilkenny on 2nd April.

It is proposed that all games will be played under lights in Croke Park and adding to these great nights will be a selection of entertainment from some of Dublin’s most successful acts. This kicks off with Lucan’s Jedward on 19th February, Damien Dempsey from Donaghmede takes to the stage on 26th February with two more big music acts to be announced next week.

Value is at the core of these events with an adult stand ticket, to cover all four nights, costing just €45 (if purchased as a bundle of four) and a family ticket consisting of one adult and one child to cover each event costs just €55. Tickets to individual games are priced at €13 for adults for stand tickets and only €5 for children. These can be purchased at your local Dublin GAA club, on www.gaa.ie or on www.ticketmaster.ie.

Chairman of Dublin County Board, Andy Kettle said; “We’re looking forward to a superb atmosphere in Croke Park throughout the Allianz Leagues and making Dublin’s home games great events. We would encourage as many people as possible to get out and buy the bundle tickets and take advantage of what promises to be a fantastic mix of football and hurling talent coupled with some of Dublin’s most entertaining music acts. This promotional activity is a great example of how County Boards, sponsors and the GAA can be proactive in promoting our national games,”

Speaking at the announcement, John Costello chief executive of the Dublin County Board said; “We wanted to add something extra to this year’s Allianz Leagues home games and really create a great carnival event that will appeal to families as well as those Dublin fans who regularly attend games. We would like to thank the GAA, Croke Park, Allianz and Vodafone for helping us make this happen.”

“We understand that money is tight at the moment so we have priced tickets as competitively as we possibly can so everyone has the opportunity to come along and enjoy themselves, watch our great national games and soak up the atmospheres,” he concluded.

For further information or to purchase tickets please go to your local Dublin GAA club, log on to www.gaa.ie or go to www.ticketmaster.ie. Dublin clubs will also benefit form ticket sales for the Dublin Spring Series through an innovative revenue share model.

The Dublin Spring Series

Saturday, 19th February

Dublin v Tipperary (Hurling) Throw in: 5.15pm

Jedward 6.50pm

Dublin v Cork (Football) Throw in: 7.30pm

Saturday, 26th February

Dublin v Kilkenny (Camogie) Throw in: 5.15pm

Damien Dempsey 6.50pm

Dublin v Kerry (Football) Throw in: 7.30pm

Sunday, 20th March

Curtain Raiser tbc

Dublin v Mayo (Football) Throw in: 2.30pm