AT LAST IT took off, the Super 8s football format coming into view in Croke Park yesterday for the first inspection.
There were winning starts for Tyrone and Dublin, losing openings for Roscommon and Donegal, and plenty to ponder for the quartet ahead of Round 2.
Dublin
Their unbeaten championship run since the 2014 All-Ireland semi-final was extended and in truth the chances of Donegal repeating that scalp were eliminated when Niall Scully stole in for his second goal after half-time. Scully was one of the bright spots in the Dublin performance, Brian Howard another as he was terrific in the first half especially.
Stephen Cluxton returned with his customary assurance from kickouts and there was something impressive about how Dublin closed the game down in the finale, methodically retaining possession and undeterred by Donegal pressure or roars from the crowd.
Still there was a sloppiness to Dublin’s performance, turnovers in possession and an attack out of kilter, are facets we are not used to seeing. With the series of double-digit beatings they have handed out and their relentless accumulation of silverware, these are the higher standards Dublin are judged on. Their bench again was key, Cormac Costello and Paul Flynn firing over a pair of points apiece.
Donegal
Two years ago, Donegal lost by five points to Dublin – 1-15 to 1-10 – and the same margin divided the teams at the final whistle last night. Yet this felt more of a positive performance for Donegal given the evolving nature of their team. They shut down some of Dublin’s stellar attackers and posted a decent tally of 0-16, some superb efforts from the likes of Ryan McHugh, Michael Langan and Jamie Brennan.
But there will be some regrets. Brennan blazed wide when there was a goal opening in the first half . Referee Conor Lane let play unfold when Paddy McGrath was fouled yet the advantage was not capitalised by Donegal. The concession of the goals will irk as well, Scully slipped past several challenges for the first and lost his marker Paul Brennan for the second.
In the closing stages, Donegal did not push up as Dublin kept the ball but they looked exhausted at that stage as well from their efforts to halt the champions. It should be an instructive experience to equip Donegal to challenge Dublin stronger when they cross paths again.
Tyrone
That’s five championship wins on the bounce now for Tyrone. It’s safe to say they are have moved on from that Ulster setback against Monaghan, even more so when this 18-point beating of Roscommon arrived a week after a 16-point hiding of Cork.
They were ruthless yesterday in putting this game to bed, outscoring Roscommon 3-20 to 2-6 after the 24th minute. Once they got to grips with the early Roscommon challenge, Tyrone dominated this game.
They reduced the contest to a lopsided affair with Niall Sludden and Richard Donnelly both in excellent form. This success cements Tyrone’s status in the top bracket behind Dublin. They have proven they can dismantle a variety of teams but their next two assignments against Dublin and Donegal will be revealing.
Roscommon
A sobering experience for Roscommon, just a week after the exhilarating high of defeating Armagh in a vibrant game. That win booked their passage to a stage where they had aspired to reach, rubbing shoulders with the elite. Once they got there, they discovered the gulf in standard that exists.
In conditioning, decision-making and score-taking, Roscommon struggled to match Tyrone. They were in the hunt initially in the first half but were punished for any errant passes as evidenced by Niall Sludden’s goal which stemmed from a wayward kick by Enda Smith.
The second half made for difficult viewing as Tyrone did not ease off and kept the scoreboard ticking over. The concession of 4-24 was a grim statistic and life does not get any easier as dates with two provincial champions are next in their diary.
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