DEADLY DUBLIN
DUBLIN 1-19 MONAGHAN 0-12
JIM GAVIN predicts a “nip and tuck” All-ireland SFC semi-final on August 27 as his Dublin side prepare to face Tyrone. Both counties romped to All-ireland quarter-final victories in front of a sold out
Croke Park attendance yesterday.
Tyrone romped to a 3-17 to 0-8 triumph over Armagh before the Dubs demolished Monaghan 1-19 to 0-12, with Stephen Cluxton breaking the Championship appearance record in his 89th game.
“You know it’s going to be a close game,” said Dubs boss Gavin after the Blues reached the All-ireland semi-finals for the eighth successive year and are targeting the All-ireland three-in-a-row.
“We played Tyrone here six months ago [in a draw in the League], it was only February but they covered the ground very, very impressively.
“We hung in and showed resilience to eke something out of it. It was be nip and tuck - and I don’t expect anything different in three weeks’ time.”
Dubs star Cian O’sullivan added: “Tyrone are going really well all season.
“Watching from afar, they’re a really serious outfit and we’ll have a look at them over the next couple of weeks.
“But we’re delighted, we’re exactly where we want to be, we’re happy and feeling good and looking forward to three weeks’ time.
“There’s great depth in the squad – guys were coming on the last 15 minutes and really firing. The team’s in a good place at the moment.”