So a member of the Dublin management team has allegedly head-butted Monaghan forward Tommy Freeman in the tunnel, after Sunday’s high intensity Parnell Park draw. And this, after a number of incidents in last years competition, that drew attention to Dublin’s ‘physicality’. Both on and off the field, Dublin want it to be known, that they are not a side to be messed with. They go into this years football competition looking to better the 2007 semi-final defeat to Kerry. And they have every chance of at least matching that achievement. But can they go one better? Their power and […]

It’s the closing minutes of the All-Ireland semi-final and Dublin are throwing the kitchen sink at Kerry. With their lead narrowed to a single point the All-Ireland champions are under pressure. Dublin have momentum. They have the desire. But what they don’t have is something more precious. It’s the quality that only champions can summon up. A quality that defines the greats. The quality that winners have. Seen for example, in the movie When We Were Kings. Under the severest pressure from George Foreman, Muhammad Ali was able to coolly and deeply look inside himself and find a solution to […]

Heading into the All Ireland football semi-final, Meath are lined up as favourites. A strong performance to see off Tyrone in the quarters, allied with Cork’s ‘good-enough’ show against Sligo has influenced the thinking of many observers. For Cork this is perfect. Fuelled by the underdog status they play Meath off the park. For Meath, the burden of being favourites seems too much for them. So how has this come about? Being underdogs offers many advantages to a team. Importantly it creates a simple but powerful focus. You can see an enemy. Them! The ones who are writing you off. […]

In the All-Ireland hurling semi-final, Limerick tore into their opponents Wexford with a bristling intensity from the off. All energy and focus, they emerged worthy winners and there was great anticipation as to how champions Kilkenny would handle the expected Limerick intensity onslaught. Well they handled it alright. After ten minutes they had scored two goals and from there on in, Limerick were playing catch up. Limerick were caught cold. Slow out of the blocks, the game had slipped out of their hands before they had got into it. So why is it that teams freeze on the big occasion? […]

It’s the Leinster Football Final and Dublin are hosting Laois at Croke Park. It’s an even game when suddenly Dublin score two goals in as many minutes to knock the stuffing out of Laois. After the first goal, Dublin forward Mark Vaughan begins taunting the Laois defender Darren Rooney in an aggressive ‘in your face’ manner. Later on in the game two more Dublin players, Alan Brogan and Kevin Bonner indulge in further taunting of the defeated Laois players. ”You try playing in front of 82,000 people in a Leinster Final” is the response from Dublin’s 1995 All-Ireland winning senior […]