Updated at 08.00
DUBLIN MANAGER JIM Gavin reacted strongly to suggestions that James McCarthy deliberately eye-gouged Martin McElhinney during Dublin’s 1-10 to 0-7 win over Donegal on Saturday night in Croke Park.
Things got heated during a flashpoint midway through the second-half when both McCarthy and Donegal captain Michael Murphy were sent off for a second yellow card.
McCarthy’s incident with McElhinney was the major talking point of the game, when the Dublin defender’s thumb made contact with McElhinney’s eye as they squared-up.
But Gavin was quick to stress that the slow-motion made the incident look far worse than it was.
”I think that’s a very strong allegation you’re making there to me, particularly since I haven’t seen the tape,” he told Newstalk on Saturday night. “To be suggesting there was something malicious, I don’t think that’s very fair.”
”There are lots of incidents in the game, if you slow them down to the tenth of a second playback, things won’t look as pretty as they would in real time.”
Gavin refused to criticise Donegal’s defensive approach as his side preserved their winning record in the top flight.
“It’s not the way we play the game by choice but there is no right or wrong way to play Gaelic football,” he said.
“Teams decide on it themselves. We’ve a particular way we play in Dublin. It’s expressive, it’s creative and for me and the coaching staff, the creative bit takes the most time to teach and practice.
“That’s just the way football is played in Dublin. I’m not saying it’s the right or wrong way.”
In the end Donegal ran out of steam and Philly McMahon’s goal in the 65th minute was the final nail in their coffin. Dublin’s fresh legs off the bench saw them outscore Donegal by 1-3 to 0-1 in the closing stages.
Tactically it was about as defensive as we’ve ever seen Donegal, including Jim McGuinness’ time in charge.
Gavin speculated that Donegal might not be quite as negative later in the year.
“It’s early in the season,” he said. “We’ve seen them play expansive football and how many scores they can get. Maybe they were just trying something this evening.
“We’re 10 weeks out from championship from Dublin’s perspective so there’s time to be playing around with systems and trying things. I can’t really speak for them.”
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