Former Mayo manager James Horan says Dublin need to be careful of tipping their balance too far towards the defence.
The Dubs' attacking power has been their key asset in recent years, but seemed to redress the balance during the recent Allianz League as they came out with the best defensive record.
Horan was on Off The Ball tonight alongside Dara O'Cinneide and our own Colm 'Wooly' Parkinson to look ahead to Sunday's Division 1 final between Dublin and Cork, and made a point about the balance between attack and defence.
"They're looking to have more of their half-back line in traditional half-back space so they have numbers there. It's definitely added to their solid structure. But Dublin need to get the balance right and it'll always be a work in progress. Dublin are by far the most threatening and dynamic team with the pace and athleticism they have. They need to make sure they don't take too much away from their scoring prowess and place it too much on their defensive side because teams will get closer to Dublin if they get too defensive. Games are going to get closer if they go too much the other way," he said.
Meanwhile, O'Cinneide reckons the returning Alan O'Connor will battle his way into a starting midfield place.
Cork's Alan O'Connor ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
"Eoin Cadogan has been good in the league and Fintan Goold has been a revelation but I honestly think that come July, they're going to have some element of tradition in their midfield. I think Alan O'Connor will be welcomed back with open arms because he just gave them that option," he said.
Horan, Wooly and O'Cinneide also looked ahead to the Division 2 between Roscommon and Down.
"I think that's going to be an interesting encounter against Down because Roscommon are big and physical with really skillful guys in the side, similar to Cork in many ways. And what you have is a Down team that can score goals for fun and have fast, pacey inside guys. But I think it's one that Roscommon will pull through," said Horan.
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