I have to admit that I was in fear of another thrashing yesterday. It looked headed that way for the first half and a Cork goal might have opened the floodgates.
They didn't get a goal and the backs and midfield did really well all things considered against a very dangerous Cork attack. Our shooting and shot selection and even freetaking was appalling at times. Left 6/7/8 reasonably easy chances go astray.
Last 20 including the extra time was as good a performance as all year, even with the misses continuing, and a goal might have pushed them to the limit but for most of the game Cork had been playing as though they might have had a second gear.
Truth be told, Dublin are still a bit off the top 4/5 and not the worst way to end the year. Backs - apart from the head wobble against the stripey men - are becoming potentially one of best in country. Daire made big difference when coming in and Conor D and Paddy Doyle have been outstanding mostly as novices.
Need to step up again and hopefully become more efficient and ruthless in front of the posts but best year for quite a time all told.
Best of luck to Cork. Still fancy them as team most likely to beat Limerick and next game should be cracker if they cut loose and get goals.
Replying To BarneyGrant: "I have to admit that I was in fear of another thrashing yesterday. It looked headed that way for the first half and a Cork goal might have opened the floodgates.
They didn't get a goal and the backs and midfield did really well all things considered against a very dangerous Cork attack. Our shooting and shot selection and even freetaking was appalling at times. Left 6/7/8 reasonably easy chances go astray.
Last 20 including the extra time was as good a performance as all year, even with the misses continuing, and a goal might have pushed them to the limit but for most of the game Cork had been playing as though they might have had a second gear.
Truth be told, Dublin are still a bit off the top 4/5 and not the worst way to end the year. Backs - apart from the head wobble against the stripey men - are becoming potentially one of best in country. Daire made big difference when coming in and Conor D and Paddy Doyle have been outstanding mostly as novices.
Need to step up again and hopefully become more efficient and ruthless in front of the posts but best year for quite a time all told.
Best of luck to Cork. Still fancy them as team most likely to beat Limerick and next game should be cracker if they cut loose and get goals."
Agree Barney.I feared for Dublin in yesterdays game but they fought gallantly and put the pride back in Dublin hurling.If Donal Burke was on his usual radar in first half who knows.On Burke his scoring ratio is absolutely superb and better than both TJ Reid and Pat Horgan.I backed Cork for the hurling All Ireland just before they played Limerick (when they looked like going out)and while its only a tiny bet I got them at 50/1 in P.P.I also backed them on the day v Limerick in a single bet.Forget what price but think 4/1.