The dust had barely settled by the time the inquest began into Dublin's shock All-Ireland semi final defeat to Donegal. In a simple manner of speaking, Dublin played within themselves while Donegal raised their game to a level that no one had anticipated. It's quite possible that's the extent of it, close the book and move on.
However, quite a few people have been quick to point out that the perceived difference between the counties' playing budget mean this kind of defeat could soon be a thing of the past.
Journalist Ewan MacKenna was particularly vocal about Dublin's apparent competitive edge and his debate on Twitter with the Indo's Aidan O'Hara was a very nice snapshot of the opposing beliefs.
It's all okay though, Dublin off for a few nights in the Gibson Hotel, dressed in Louis Copeland suits followed by free Aer Lingus flights.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna Five day training camps are fine though? #purity
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@oharaa One funded through personal contacts because county board can't afford it, the other a year-long training camp through sponsorship.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna Just wanted to be clear where cut off was. Money wins until passion/commitment/tactics etc beats it. Think I have it now — aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@oharaa Money still wins. Only one team to beat each and every year because of obvious and crazy factors no one can match.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna Each and every year since 2011 when Dublin have won two All-Irelands by a point? Did they run out of money in 2012? — aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@oharaa I wrote in 2011 that Dublin within five years will dangerously change the landscape of GAA. And hate being right but I am.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna It's fairly simple. If you base it on money/numbers Dublin have advantage - that's hardly a revelation.Base it on what happens — aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@oharaa Money and numbers is what's happening and turned Dublin into a team one or another is lucky enough to challenge now and again.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna But they're not and never have been competing against 16. They're competing against top 3 or 4 as Kerry, Cork, Tyrone etc at
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna their best did. Teams come and go competing for All Irelands as they always have. How have Kerry been there for so long then?
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@oharaa It's cheapens idea to hammer them solely when they win as does it cheapen importance to say it's all okay because they lose.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@EwanMacKenna So you can be right no matter what the result then. Grand, have it now
— aidan o'hara (@oharaa) August 31, 2014
@oharaa I am right, not because of that but because we've a sport where one county has the money and population of another 16 who are...
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
@oharaa expected to compete with that. If you can't see that it's crazy it is both blinded and baffling. It's fairly obvious to be fair.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) August 31, 2014
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
