RED HAND STAND UP AND FIGHT
MAYBE, this result will mean nothing. Come September, we may reflect on what occurred on St Patrick’s weekend and realise it was just an aberration, a temporary blip. And yet, something in Jim Gavin’s annoyance at his team’s limp performance suggests this was not part of the plan.
Dublin will not contest a League final for the first time under Gavin’s watch. The manager dismissed the idea that featuring in the decider, or defending their Division 1 title, formed part of the grand design for the drive-for-five. But he was always going to say that.
The more interesting tidbits came when Gavin dissected how his side were completely outplayed by a well-drilled and fluid Tyrone as the Dublin manager came as close as he ever will to criticising his own team.
‘That level of performance from the Dublin players is certainly not good enough and at this level you will be found out,’ Gavin said. ‘Our passing was off in many phases of play. Our shot selection was very poor. Certainly a performance like that will give the management team a lot to reflect on and give the Dublin players a lot to reflect on because that just isn’t good enough.’
Perhaps this was the first sign that the pack are closing in on Dublin. In the final few minutes, their famous composure deserted the All-Ireland champions as they grew increasingly desperate in search of a goal. It wasn’t like them. And even though Tyrone were thankful for a couple of heroic blocks from Ben McDonnell and Mattie Donnelly, the Ulster side were superior in every sector of the field.
Mickey Harte, taking charge of Tyrone for the 300th match, claimed last week that he has to think more about this current Dublin side than anyone he has ever faced over the past 17 seasons. And he certainly figured out a way to create unease and confusion in their defence, judging by what we witnessed in Croke Park.
There were signs that Tyrone have absorbed the harsh lessons dished out by Dublin in recent seasons — and grown from those experiences. In other years, this side might have wilted after Cormac Costello had the ball in the net in the fourth minute, especially as it sprung from a cheap turnover out the field. Instead, the Tyrone players stood tall and regained control.
‘We withstood a goal that should have rocked us, and in the past, would have rocked us,’ Harte said. ‘I think that was a big thing. We didn’t let that upset us too much. We just rolled up our sleeves and fought back and the players got the reward they deserved.’
Tyrone abandoned their usual running style for much of the game, hitting direct ball in to McShane and Donnelly with the pair combining for their first-half goal.
And it was clear in Croke Park that they have accurate kick-passers in every line of the field. From Padraig Hampsey to McGeary, Harte has players who are comfortable launching long ball in to the full-forward line.
‘When you have players of that stature up front, of that physicality and that ball-winning ability, you like to give them the ball,’ Harte agreed.
‘There’s no point in being up there and not getting any ball, but it’s about getting a sense of balance. We have been known as a running team for a few years now and we do need to bring a bit of variety to our game.’
Of course, it is still only March. And maybe what happened in Croke Park will mean nothing as the summer goes on. Yet, watching the Dublin full-back line being troubled by the high, direct ball raining down on top of them on Saturday evening, perhaps, this match did tell us something of significance.