The Dublin Community Blog

One of the topics I said I’d start looking at covering is GAA games in Dublin. Seeing as the National League campaign is now winding down, I’ll sum up how both Hurling and Football teams have done so far.

Football
Having started out in a blaze of glory (literally) in Healy Park in Omagh against the All Ireland Champions, Tyrone on a very wet and cold day Sunday afternoon, Dublin’s league campaign looked like it was going to be the first succesful one since they last won it back in 1993. Alas, with a hammering dished out by the mighty Monaghan men that very next Sunday, it was starting to look like the REAL Dublin again with lack of imagination going forward and failure to take the easy chances when gifted to them. The following 3 games against Offaly, Cork and Fermanagh respectively were certainly not ones to write home about with Dublin just edging out Offaly after they went asleep and allowed a Hat-Trick of goals by the genius that is Ciaran McManus go in the back of the next. Losing away to Cork and Fermanagh by single point in both games was disappointing as Dublin again had the chances to finish off the opposition but fell short. But, there is hope (there always is!) … Last Saturday night, yours truly was treated to what I can only hope is what Dublin will have to offer in this years Championship. An anhialation of Mayo by 4-10 to 1-10 was certainly a welcome surprise. Granted, a certain Ciaran McDonald was nowhere to be seen but can one man actually change a match to the deficit of 3 goals? Anyways, a trip to Tralee is what awaits Dublin in their final national league game on Sunday next. It’s been an up and down league campaign with a few groundhog day type mutterings of “Why can’t we beat the teams we’re supposed to beat yet we beat the teams we’re not supposed to beat”. Ah well, sure if it wasn’t this exciting then why would you bother being interested in it at all!

Hurling
If only the footballers could take a leaf from the hurlers books! Dublin are sitting pretty on top of the Division 2A leage with 4 games played and 4 games won. Then again, I must point out that our opponents are not exactly challengers for the Liam McCarthy Cup … FAR FROM IT! Wicklow, Roscommon, Derry and Meath have all been shown the exit door so far this year with Carlow up next in their final game. Going on their current form, Carlow should not be any opposition for Dublin and some respect will have been earned for the hurlers of Dublin. If we could only turn this positive step into one that could see us win the Liam McCarthy Cup one day …. Hmmmmmm, I’d have more luck betting on a 3 legged donkey in Aintree next week.