Clerkin: Monaghan confident ahead of Dublin clash

Monaghan stalwart Dick Clerkin says his side will approach Sunday's Allianz Football League Division 1 encounter against
Dublin high on confidence, while rejecting any suggestion the Farney County play the much-maligned blanket defence.

Monaghan go into the game on the back of an impressive one-point win over All-Ireland champions Kerry in Killarney last weekend.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, he pointed out that it was still early in the year, but said that the victory was a significant one in the annals of Monaghan football.

"Obviously, this time of the year you have to takes things in context, in terms of where Kerry maybe are at in their development for the season, and not get too carried away," Clerkin said.

"But at the same time, for Monaghan, a county which wouldn't have a great recent history against Kerry – I've personally suffered a lot defeats to them – history will say that we went down and beat the All-Ireland champions in their back yard.

"And for any team, especially like Monaghan, that always a great milestone to achieve. So, in that context, it was definitely very satisfying."

Bolstered by that win, Clerkin admitted that he and his team-mates would approach their clash against Dublin with high expectations, saying: "Confidence is buoyed when you have performances and victories behind you.

"And you know, obviously the Kerry [win] factors into that, but also the fact that we went up to Letterkenny and got a result against Donegal, which was a big result as well, went to Omagh, got a big result against Tyrone as well.

"We know we have a system, but it can be as effective in attack as it is in defence" - Dick Clerkin

"We're achieving stuff now that we wouldn't have in the past, when we were at a competitive level, winning big important games away from home.

"Dublin is another milestone, another step up. They're gradually finding their championship feet, their big players are starting to come back. So they'll be at a different level than they were early in the league."

He predicted Monaghan would maintain the style they had played throughout the league, rather than trying to play ultra-defensive tactics to stifle Dublin's attacking prowess.

The game is the first time the sides have met since last season's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final, in which a disappointing Monaghan were easily put to the sword by the Dubs.

Clerkin sounded more hopeful this time around, and said Monaghan would try to inject some attacking verve along with defensive solidity.

"The lads are in fairly good shape, fairly fit, they're mad keen, we're at home. We have the safety blanket of having maintained Division One status.

"Yes, there is there is still a carrot, but I'd like to think we'll probably play the style that we have been playing, which I think is a nice blend between a strong defensive shape, but still very open to attack.

"We have the scores and have had the results to show that. I don't like the term 'blanket defence' being used with Monaghan. We don't play like that. We know we have a system, but it can be as effective in attack as it is in defence."

Overall, he gave the impression of a county happy with its manner of play, and enjoying a period of progress, even as the players learned along the way.

"It has been the case over the past couple of years, and thankfully we've been able to maintain that upward trajectory. But I suppose we have to be conscious, too, that the closer you get to the top, the pitfalls are greater," Clerkin added.

"We were in equally buoyant mood after the first two games. A great win in Tyrone, away to Tyrone; a great performance against Cork – we were unlucky not to get something out of that - and then we got our wings clipped fairly significantly against Mayo when we didn't perform on the day.

"So we're very wise too. You sort of learn along the way at this level. No more so than you look back at the championship last year, against Dublin, who we're facing this weekend. No matter how well you're going, at this level any chinks in your armour are going to be exposed.

"So that's part of a learning curve for this team as well, even for ones like myself and the guys who've been here a long time."

For more listen to Game On, weeknights from 7pm on 2FM

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Clerkin: Monaghan confident ahead of Dublin clash

Dengan url

http://olahragaenjoy.blogspot.com/2015/04/clerkin-monaghan-confident-ahead-of.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Clerkin: Monaghan confident ahead of Dublin clash

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Clerkin: Monaghan confident ahead of Dublin clash

sebagai sumbernya

Olahraga Enjoy