Double All-Ireland winner Bryan Cullen admits that Dublin’s leaky defence used to worry him when he was still on the panel with the Boys in Blue.
Now on the panel as a pundit for 98FM’s Dublin Talks GAA with Bavaria Zero Zero, Cullen has been pleased to see the Dubs tighten things up at the back as demonstrated in yesterday’s 5-18 to 0-14 dismantling of Kildare in the Leinster semi-final.
“(When) I was involved over the last couple of years, it would have been something I would have been worried about, I felt we were giving up too many goal chances.”
Cullen told 98FM’s Stephen Doyle there was signs that Dublin’s defensive structures are improving in the win against Kildare at Croke Park.
“You can see that there’s a little more thought going into the defensive set-up. Paul Flynn seemed to be dropping a little bit deeper yesterday and they always seemed to have the numerical advantage in the defence.”
Cullen feels Kildare “got what they deserved” after they allowed Dublin defenders run at them to create points and most notably the first two goals which came from breaks by Philly McMahon and Jack McCaffrey.
“If you let defenders run free as Philly McMahon was allowed to for that first goal, you’re asking for trouble. The very basic thing you have to do playing any team, never mind the top one or two teams in the country like Dublin is, you track your men.”
The All-Ireland winning skipper complimented the performances of Diarmuid Connolly and Bernard Brogan who notched 4-6 between them but reserved special praise for old team mate Alan Brogan.
The 2011 All Star Footballer of the Year was sprung from the bench in the second-half and immediately fired over three points from play into the old Canal End.
“I thought he looked really, really sharp yesterday, particularly one of his scores (which was) typical Alan taking a guy on, cutting in and clipping a ball with that cultured left foot of his.”
Cullen feels there will be more to come from the senior Brogan.
“He looked sharp, he looked hungry and that’s really good for Dublin football.”
You can listen to the full exclusive interview here.
Bryan will be back on Dublin Talks GAA on 98FM with Bavaria Zero Zero along with fellow panellists, Barry Cahill and Eric Lalor at Peacocks in Swords on Friday July 10th from 6:30pm.