Football

Can Donegal's boot room boss repeat Jim's trick?

SUNDAY, August 31, 2014. All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final: Donegal 3-14 Dublin 0-17 - it's a result which will haunt Dublin football for decades.

Let's not be under any illusions, even if Dublin beat Donegal this evening, they are not going to bury the ghost on what happened last year. Nevertheless, this fixture presents an excellent opportunity for Dublin to put some of those demons to rest.

Dublin had the personnel. They had the talent. Their discipline, commitment and conditioning were all top notch. But the Dubs were out-smarted. The abiding memory of the game is the kick-out which completely unlocked Dublin's defence. Paul Durcan went long. Dublin's half-backs rushed in. And with one clever flick by Michael Murphy, Donegal were through on goal.

Of course, Donegal had been scoring directly from kick-outs since the start of the Championship. On three occasions in Celtic Park, they sliced Derry apart. When Derry's half-backs raced into midfield, Donegal carved them apart.

Kerry manager Eamon Fitzmaurice studied where everyone else went wrong. For Donegal's kick-outs in the All-Ireland final, the Kerry half-backs stuck rigidly to their positions. They kept their shape. Even when Donegal won the ball, Kerry always had their defensive formation in place. Donegal didn't score any goals against Kerry. They only managed 0-12.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin is an intelligent man. In his last job with the Irish Air Force, he was a pilot instructor. A man who can teach people how to fly an aeroplane should be able to organise a defence.

Last year's defeat will have really stung Gavin. He was held responsible. Admittedly, the work-rate of some of his players left a lot to be desired, but Gavin's tactics bordered on the reckless. Dublin were naïve. While Jim McGuinness was hailed as a tactical genius, Gavin was cast a just another casualty of the Donegal manager's brilliance.

It can be assumed that Gavin will detest that particular role and will be keen to write a new script. That narrative will begin in Croke Park this evening.

This game provides Gavin with an opportunity to prove that he has absorbed the lessons of last year's defeat. While working with untested players, Gavin will have concocted a gameplan that is designed to protect Dublin from the howlers which arguably cost them an All-Ireland title.

Expect to see a more cautious Dublin tonight. For kick-outs, they'll hold their shape. When they attack, it's not going to be gung-ho. At least one night watchman will stay to guard against counter attacks.

The question is: will it be enough? Even if Dublin employ smarter tactics, there's still no guarantee that they'll win.

Jim Gavin has named an unchanged side which means the Dubs continue to be without some big names.

Dublin's forward unit is what really sets them apart. Last Sunday in Pairc Ui Rinn, they were missing Paul Flynn, Diarmuid Connolly, Bernard Brogan, Alan Brogan and Ciaran Kilkenny. Other absentees included Stephen Cluxton, James McCarthy, Ger Brennan, Michael Darragh Macauley and Cian O'Sullivan.

In stark contrast, Donegal fielded a strong line-up against Derry. The team picked for tonight's encounter includes 12 players who featured in last August's All-Ireland semi-final.

Donegal were impressive last weekend. Even when they were playing second fiddle in the first half, they were still able to keep a tight ship. The good teams can soak up pressure. Despite being on the back foot, there was only a three-point gap at half-time.

The most praiseworthy aspect about Donegal's display was the way they shifted modes after half-time. Cagey and conservative in the first half, they completely changed tack.

Michael Murphy went to full-forward and they kicked the ball to him. When Donegal attacked, they attacked in numbers and pressed high up the field.

Even when Derry's defence forced a turnover, the Oak Leafers struggled to clear their lines.

The popular view of this game it that it is providing Jim Gavin with an opportunity to exact revenge for last year's defeat.

It has been overlooked that the match also presents Rory Gallagher with a fantastic chance to make a huge statement.

A victory tonight, and Gallagher can prove that Jim McGuinness isn't the only Donegal manager who can cause an upset in Croke Park.

There is an assumption that Donegal's fortunes will automatically decline now that Jim McGuinness has moved on. It doesn't always work out like that.

Bill Shankly was the revolutionary figure who led Liverpool from the old English second division to European success. Under Shankly, Liverpool won three League titles and the Uefa Cup. But, Bob Paisley, the man who succeeded Shankly, won six League titles, three European Cups and the Uefa Cup.

If McGuinness was Shankly, can Gallagher be Paisley?

That question will not be answered tonight. But we should get a few good clues.

DONEGAL TEAM

Dublin: S Currie; E Culligan, R O'Carroll, D Daly; J Cooper, J Small, J McCaffrey;

D Bastick, S Carthy; T Brady, D Rock,

E O'Conghaile; K McManamon, E O'Gara, C Costello Donegal: P Durcan; E Doherty, E McGee, P McGrath; F McGlynn, K Lacey,

M McHugh; N Gallagher, C Toye;

R McHugh, M O'Reilly, O MacNiallais;

P McBrearty, M Murphy, H McFadden.