GAA National Football League: Dublin Work Rate Not Good Enough

Six-time All-Ireland winner Diarmuid Connolly has called on Dublin to ‘pick it up’ if they want to avoid a second straight defeat at the start of their National League campaign.

He was speaking to BoyleSports following Dublin’s opening loss to Armagh at Croke Park last Saturday night.

Early Issues

Connolly admitted the early exit of Cormac Costello didn’t help the Boys in Blue. He insisted they need to work harder if they want to overcome favourites Kerry in Killarney on Saturday evening.

“I don’t think anyone envisaged Dublin losing by such a margin, but Armagh were full value for it,” he told BoyleSports.

“They out-tackled Dublin by more than two to one and when you win the tackle count you tend to win the game.

Bet on the National Football League Here.

“Dublin may need to find a couple of guys to step into the fray because another loss in the league will put them in bother.

But for me it’s not about the personnel on the pitch, it’s about the work rate.

🏐 “A big one for me was Cormac Costello going off so early injured; he could have a HUGE year for Dublin”

Diarmuid Connolly looks back on Dublin v Armagh & Kildare v Kerry in the opening weekend of the League.

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— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) February 2, 2022

Management Decisions

“I’m sure Dessie Farrell and his management team will be going over it. Forty-seven tackles wouldn’t win you a junior game, never mind a League game against an up-and-coming side.

Armagh outworked Dublin, they were slicker on the ball and Dublin looked lethargic in a lot of their play.

“Kieran McGeeney had these guys primed, they were all bursting out of their jerseys and it’s crazy the condition they were in at this time of the year.

Cormac Costello

“Another big factor for me though was Cormac Costello going off injured so early on.

“He could have a huge year for Dublin with the likes of Paul Mannion not there. But, they got away with it thanks to the other matches ending in draws.

“I can’t see them turning it round against Kerry. They are probably a step ahead of Dublin at this stage even though they didn’t have the best of results either.

“Kerry had a really good start to the game; I thought they were going to blow Kildare out of the water. Their second half performance certainly didn’t meet their standards I’d imagine.

“They’re at home though and Dublin need to pick it up, although I fancy Kerry to cover the three point handicap.”

NEXT MATCH AGAINST KERRY

Diarmuid also previewed Dublin’s next match in the National Football League this upcoming weekend when they face Kerry on Saturday evening at 7pm.

“Another big loss in the league here, would put them in a spot of bother coming in to the run in February”

🗣️ "Another big loss in the league here, would put them in a spot of bother coming in to the run in February"

🏐 @dermoc123 previews Kerry v Dublin in National Football League Division 1 on Saturday.

📺 RTE, 7pm.

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— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) February 3, 2022

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More about the author:
Diarmuid Connolly is a six time GAA All-Ireland Football winner with Dublin. During his illustrious career he also won two All-Star awards. He retired from inter-county football in October 2020.

The 6′ 1″ forward still plays for club team, St Vincent’s, with whom he won five Dublin Senior Football Championship titles.

Connolly also won ten Leinster Senior Football Championships with St. Vincent’s as well as four National Football League titles.

He also joined the Dublin hurling panel as a dual player where he won an U21 Leinster medal.