Before the mere mention of Dublin triggers you, consider a few things.
Dublin are brilliant – just because someone points out what is one of the most obvious facts of modern day football, it doesn’t mean they’ve got a relentless hankering for the Dubs. Or that they hate culchies.
Dublin are also dominant – too dominant nearly. Just because someone gets excited that another team might beat them for the first time in 32 competitive matches, it doesn’t mean they are biased. It doesn’t mean they are anti-Dublin. It doesn’t mean that they hate everything about the city.
But that’s the way it is nowadays, granted social media has intensified and exaggerated all those feelings.
You compare Dublin to the immovable Ivan Drago and you offend a Dub.
ffs your bias against the dubs is so tedious.. #unfollow
— declan kelly (@decokel) February 26, 2017
Donegal going in ahead at the break in Ballybofey was akin to Rocky finally cutting Drago – what we all thought was impossible. “He’s not a machine, he’s a man!”
But that is insulting.
You cover Dublin winning the All-Ireland championship, and you’re labelled biased.
Haven't seen a biased account quite like @SportsJOE_GAA all Dublin nothing about Mayo.
— Mark (@ATrueCule) October 1, 2016
Pro Dublin nonsense.
But then you credit both teams, and you’re labelled biased.
are you going to say well done to Dublin?
— Alan DeHalla (@alan_alanchall) October 1, 2016
Jesus, apologies for the bitchiness. It gets tough sometimes!
But here we go again: once more into the breach.
Dublin were held for a second successive week in the National Football League and, despite Joe Brolly complaining the whole way through it, it was brilliant to see Donegal – a team tipped for relegation by some, a team that is genuinely going through transition – put it up to the best side in Ireland and bring them to their knees, however briefly.
Very enjoyable game from the 33rd minute to the 35th
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) February 26, 2017
But although they went in ahead by three points at the break, Donegal watched the league and All-Ireland champions eventually edge back in front and take control of the game. It wouldn’t be like the men from the hills to lie down though and they fought back level to force a draw, 2-5 to 1-8 at full time.
The final score was kicked in the 72nd minute by Michael Murphy from a dead ball but referee Ciaran Branagan’s decision to award a free for that last point was baffling.
The Down man seemed to see what no-one else did.
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/835876514306617349
https://twitter.com/OMearaCaelan/status/835877806127071236
https://twitter.com/sean83p/status/835877655002103808
I guess the Dubs not ready to give up that unbeaten run. Good character to get a draw. Very very soft free given to Donegal to draw the game
— Busby Boy (@Creje7) February 26, 2017
‘Donegal soft free’ should be trending at any minute now.
Soft free, in fairness, is putting it nicely. There seemed to be no reason whatsoever to award it.
Substitute Eamonn Doherty didn’t collect the ball first time.
That allowed two Dubs to close in.
His path is blocked but he has freedom to retreat.
Which he does.
Eric Lowndes meets him as he tries to cut inside. Both men have their hands out.
That’s it.
There’s nothing else to see.
Before the Dubs can even think about making a tackle on the ball, Branagan awards the free – one which Doherty wasn’t even looking for.
Michael Murphy does the rest. Dublin are held to a draw.
For God knows what reason.
Pro Dublin nonsense again…
