Fortune favours the brave.
A Brian Fenton mistake actually ended up being the turning point for Dublin as they beat Derry to win the Division Two league title.
Derry were in charge of the game in the first half, very much playing it on their terms, and the capital really struggled to break them down.
Then early in the second half, Fenton went to take a shot but misjudged the distance and it dropped short in front of the goal rather than over the bar as he intended.
This turned out to be a fortunate mistake however, as both Con O’Callaghan and Killian O’Gara were waiting inside, starving for a ball just like that.
Both jumped up to compete for it and O’Gara managed to punch it into the net and suddenly the whole game was shifted.
Dublin were galvanised by the goal, while Derry, who love to try and control the game, then struggled to claw back a lead and became very open at the back while trying get a goal themselves.
Paul Mannion, John Small and Lorcan O’Dell then buried the ball four more times to seal an important victory for Dessie Farrell’s men.
However, it does make you wonder why Dublin don’t just feed their forwards with kick passes in like that more often. When you have players like O’Callaghan inside then it just makes sense to get the best out of him.
#DUBvDER 36:31 nóim @DubGAAOfficial 1-04@Doiregaa 0-06
Cúl faighte ag Killian O'Gara do @DubGAAOfficial
Goal for Dublin 👌😮
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV #AllianzLeague | #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/BxVExNcts1
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 2, 2023
Mayo have found a brilliant balance of kicking and running it, and they have got fantastic results from it this season, but Dublin seemed married to the idea that they need to hold onto the ball and work it in.
The Boys in Blue looked to have a ruthless side that we haven’t seen in a long time, and they are now in a very healthy place as they plan to attack the All-Ireland this year.
Related links:
- Lorcan O’Dell scores goal of the season as Dublin find Derry’s net four times
- Dean Rock tries to block Shane McGuigan shot while receiving treatment from physio
- Gareth McKinless has the kind of impact that all subs dream of as Derry beat Dublin
