Mayo's Alan Dillon against Dublin in a league meeting earlier this year. INPHO/James Crombie.
In focus
Conor Deegan's Key Duel: Alan Dillon v the Dublin defence
Ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final, TheScore.ie’s Gaelic Football analyst looks at one of the key match-up’s that could decide the meeting of Dublin and Mayo.
WITH ANDY MORAN missing from the Mayo attack, it is natural that Alan Dillon becomes the vital figure in their attack.
He is the elder statesman now and is an exceptional footballer. Watching him against Down in the All-Ireland quarter-final, he looked to be in great form as he was directing the play. If Dillon is nullified and not allowed to impact on the play as he would wish to, that would go a long way to hurting Mayo.
The interesting question is how will the Dublin defence tackle him? They have several options but I do not believe Pat Gilroy will be too worried about focusing one defender’s role to tail Dillon and he will avoid the temptation to man mark him. Ger Brennan is a traditional stopper at centre-back who could start on him. But if that match-up is not working out, then James McCarthy is able to switch across.
The other option is to use one of the Kilmacud Crokes boys to look after Dillon. Rory O’Carroll will undoubtedly stay at the edge of the square but Kevin Nolan or Cian O’Sullivan could be employed. I moved to Kilmacud Crokes to play my club football in 1996 and would have seen those three boys coming through the underage ranks, even coaching them at certain stages.
They were always well thought of. The familiarity they have with each other is very important. When I played with Down at midfield, Barry Breen from my own club Downpatrick was at centre-back. When I caught a ball, I knew when to time the pass when Barry was coming past me. It was instinct and it does make a big difference having your club mates with you in the county setup. That’s a big help to Dublin having those three Kilmacud Crokes players in the side on Sunday when they try to stop Alan Dillon.
Conor Deegan's Key Duel: Alan Dillon v the Dublin defence
WITH ANDY MORAN missing from the Mayo attack, it is natural that Alan Dillon becomes the vital figure in their attack.
He is the elder statesman now and is an exceptional footballer. Watching him against Down in the All-Ireland quarter-final, he looked to be in great form as he was directing the play. If Dillon is nullified and not allowed to impact on the play as he would wish to, that would go a long way to hurting Mayo.
The interesting question is how will the Dublin defence tackle him? They have several options but I do not believe Pat Gilroy will be too worried about focusing one defender’s role to tail Dillon and he will avoid the temptation to man mark him. Ger Brennan is a traditional stopper at centre-back who could start on him. But if that match-up is not working out, then James McCarthy is able to switch across.
They were always well thought of. The familiarity they have with each other is very important. When I played with Down at midfield, Barry Breen from my own club Downpatrick was at centre-back. When I caught a ball, I knew when to time the pass when Barry was coming past me. It was instinct and it does make a big difference having your club mates with you in the county setup. That’s a big help to Dublin having those three Kilmacud Crokes players in the side on Sunday when they try to stop Alan Dillon.
Ciaran McDonald: “Did I officially retire from inter county football? No.”
Conor Deegan: “To suggest Dublin and Mayo are going for second place is over-stretching it.”
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Alan Dillon All-Ireland SFC Attack Defence Dublin GAA In focus Kilmacud Crokes Mayo GAA