While Anthony Daly inherited a group of fearless youngsters of which little is initially expected, Pat Gilroy has been buried by the burden of the 14-year All-Ireland title drought. And to add to this pressure, Gilroy’s side have thus far been overshadowed by their small ball counterparts
Patience is a virtue and in sport, it is becoming more and more valuable by the day. Whether this is the influence and mindset of money-fuelled success across the water is more than another day’s work.
While rumours of unrest in the football camp begin to surface and patience wears thinner with Dublin’s lack of fluency on the field, the unadulterated hurlers continue to blossom. And this is becoming more and more difficult to decipher for the average Dublin fan.
And with the feeler period of the league now over, everyone’s natural reaction seems to lead to the delicate balancing off the pros and cons.
Yes in recent seasons, league form has correlated to championship triumphs to some extent, but in reality league success is probably more to do with the clear superiority of two or three counties in both codes, rather than “learning from the league”.
While many in the capital already have their opinions set in stone for the year ahead, it is quite feasible that feeling in the city could be considerably different in less than four weeks time. The status quo is still retrievable. No need for the masons just yet.
Hurling
Initially, there is considerably less pressure on Daly to produce, while ultimately he will be charged with the nurturing (successful or not) of Dublin’s new golden age of hurlers. For the moment his young side is expected to do little more than ruffle a few feathers.
However, this side has a distinctive bold confidence - probably largely acquired through underage success.
Liam Rushe epitomises this with his direct running, and insistence on peppering the opposing goalkeeper with practice darts, while many more assured players would simply take the solitary point. There are a number of young promising forwards in the capital, and ultimately they will gradually filter into Daly’s front six like last year’s minor captain has already done.
While in 2008 the Dubs relied on David “Dotsy” O’Callaghan up front, and to a lesser extent Ross O’Carroll, they now have the likes of the reinvigorated Liam Ryan and the returned Alan McCrabbe available. Add in the likes of Shane Durkin, Simon Lambert, Peadar Carton or a few others hovering around the panel, and any inter-county back-line will need to be more than wary of their threat.
Daly’s rearguard has also begun to settle. In Ruairi Trainor he has unearthed a corner-back of the Velcro variety, Tomás Brady has settled in the full-back mould while the entire side will improve as Ronan Fallon sharpens as each Sabbath passes us by.
While there have been many positives for Daly’s army, three tough tasks still await with Kilkenny, Tipperary and a desperate Banner side all looming on the horizon.
After their Walsh Cup opener against Kilkenny a couple of months ago, Daly’s side haven’t looked back, so there will be an interesting progression assessment made at the end of the Round 7 when Cody’s Cats are the opposition again on April 19.
It remains possible that Dublin could get two more wins from the Division and even push for a final spot, what’s most important is that momentum isn’t lost prior to their championship date with Antrim - where many football followers will also be interested first-time viewers.
Football
While there are more experienced football managers about, few know the Dublin club scene (the top end at least) better than Pat Gilroy. Similarly, his experience in ‘95 could prove invaluable as should Mickey Whelan’s not so pleasant memories less than 12 months later.
While Dublin have begun their league campaign in disappointing fashion, there have been games where both attack and defence have impressed while some new personnel have also demonstrated championship credentials.
While fluency and composure have been rare, there has been a determination about the side which has been particularly warming. The manner in which the two points were ground out in Ballyshannon, and to a lesser extent, the way a draw was achieved facing into the wind in Ballina, needs to be appreciated.
For the most part, Gilroy’s first four league outings have seen his forwards post respectable tallies while his inexperienced back six looked vulnerable under a new zonal marking system. And with only nine points conceded in Ballina last week, one would have expected the Dubs to secure the win and leapfrog Mayo in the table.
Again it was composure, fluency and decision-making that ultimately cost the Dubs. However, one would expect these issues to be ironed out as players and management find their respective comfort zones.
Memory in sport tends to be senile at the best of times and if Gilroy’s side can pull out a win against old foes Kerry on Sunday, I expect that the Parnell faithful will quickly erase the embarrassment of the Derry demolition and the Meehan massacre in Salthill.
The visit of Westmeath will be Dublin’s final assignment, a clash you would expect Gilroy’s side to come through and to secure their Division 1 status, but most importantly momentum would be restored for the championship challenge once more.
It would be foolish to write off any side’s championship chances before we even get to Easter. To be honest, less expectation mightn’t necessarily be a bad thing for Dublin’s footballers in ‘09.
Alan Waldron is a freelance GAA journalist based in Dublin. Read Alan's opinion on all matters Sky Blue - and a few other hues too- on his blog: http://www.gaaworld.blogs.ie.