Gaelic Games

Read Dean Rock and Michael Murphy every week in The Irish Times

Q&A: Our two new columnists give some initial thoughts ahead of the 2024 Championship, including teams they fancy to do well and what to watch for

Dean Rock and Michael Murphy are part of The Irish Times' GAA columnist team for the 2024 Championship. Graphic: Paul Scott

Dean Rock and Michael Murphy will be analysing the 2024 Football Championship for The Irish Times. Graphic: Paul Scott

Fri Apr 5 2024 - 12:03

Dean Rock and Michael Murphy: between them they have nine All-Irelands, 17 provincial titles and eight All-Stars. Both recently retired, they are two of the most celebrated Gaelic footballers of a generation and now you can read their opinions in The Irish Times and at irishtimes.com every week.

Starting from Tuesday April 9th, Michael Murphy will give his thoughts in a weekly column on the changing state of Gaelic football, the 2024 Championship and, of course, there’ll be his assessment of how Jim McGuinness and Donegal are faring.

Then on Saturdays (beginning April 13th), eight-time All-Ireland winner Dean Rock will share his opinions as Dublin look to scale the mountain again without, for the first time since 2011, the man many consider to be the greatest free taker of all time.

To tee up our two new columnists we set them each a quick Q&A.

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Michael Murphy

Who will win the All-Ireland?

It’s going to be really close between Dublin and Derry. If anything, the league final has changed my mind in a roundabout way. It was a necessary shock for Dublin and I think they will have learned so much from the final. With Cluxton, McCarthy and Fitzsimons to come back I think they will make the necessary adjustments to shore up the middle of that defence.

Who will win the four provinces?

Derry, Dublin, Kerry and I’m going to opt for Mayo even though I’m expecting a lift from Galway.

Who will be player of the year?

I’m going to go for Con O’Callaghan. He was quiet last year but still threatened a hell of a lot. After the last day (the league final loss to Derry) he and other Dublin players will have taken a lot out of it and in Leinster he’ll be able to train through to the All-Ireland stages.

Who do you think will make an unexpected impact?

Lachlan Murray of Derry. He scored 1-4 against Roscommon and 0-3 from play in the league final. At 21 he’s young and carefree and just goes for it. His confidence is sky high at the moment.

What new trends do you think will emerge this season?

I’m hoping that teams will see the value in pressing high throughout games. It really adds to the excitement.

Dean Rock

Who will win the All-Ireland?

Dublin. Their first two league games were disappointing but they really turned it around after those defeats and Dessie has lots of options now throughout the squad. Kerry and Derry are also in the mix, but if Dublin can maintain the form they showed for much of the league then they can retain Sam.

Who will win the four provinces?

Dublin, Kerry, Derry, Mayo. Dublin remain the team to catch in Leinster and it is hard to see them being stopped again this year. During the league little was shown by other teams the province to suggest the gap has closed. Kerry remain the strongest team in Munster, with Ulster and Connacht the most competitive provinces.

Who will be Footballer of the Year?

David Clifford.

Who do you think will make an unexpected impact in the 2024 championship?

Cork. We used to play them in challenge matches and they’d give us plenty, I remember they hockeyed us one year down in Kilkenny. For whatever reason they have struggled to deliver that form in the championship, but they have the talent to do so – as have Galway if they get all their players fit.

What new trends do you think will emerge this season?

Teams taking risks & leaving more men higher up the pitch to punish wandering goalkeepers. We got to see how teams might approach the summer by how Derry and Dublin played in the National League final, it could lead to teams taking more risks during the season ahead.

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