Cahill makes experience count

G AA: ALL-IRELAND QUARTER-FINALSDUBLIN HAVE met Tyrone in two seminal All-Ireland quarter-finals since 2008. The comprehensive defeat three years ago brought an immediate end to Paul Caffrey's time as manager.

Last year’s victory, naturally assisted by 15 Tyrone wides, breathed life into Pat Gilroy’s reign.

Of course, we are not dealing in certainties just yet as Tyrone must overcome Roscommon in Croke Park this Saturday evening to earn the right to face the Leinster champions seven days later back at GAA headquarters.

Still, it is hard not to mention past battles with Mickey Harte’s team when speaking to veteran Dublin panellist Barry Cahill.

“Yeah, I suppose you’d like to learn lessons from it,” said Cahill of 2008 when Dublin arrived into the fixture after a similar lay-off.

“One difference, I suppose, would be that we came through Leinster handy enough in 2008 and we had a big win in the Leinster final against Wexford and we were probably feeling a bit too confident going into the quarter-final and I don’t think that’s the case this time.

“The three games we had in Leinster this year have all been good games and I don’t think we set the world alight so we know there’s a lot of improving to do.

“Once the final whistle went in the Leinster final lads knew that we had to up the training and up the performance, whether it’s Roscommon or Tyrone.

“Once you get into August you know you really have to bring your A game so hopefully, we’ll be able to do that.”

Cahill was speaking yesterday at the launch of Fever Pitch, the pre All-Ireland football final event that intends to host 1,400 people at Croke Park for a night of Irish music and comedy acts on September 17th (tickets are €35).

Demand for such an event would undoubtedly increase if Dublin are playing at the stadium the next day. But that hasn’t happened since 1995.

Since 2001, Cahill has stretched every sinew of his body to make this a reality.

Ten years on, the former All Star wing back is no longer a guaranteed starter despite being a regular in midfield during the National League.

That said, Gilroy has made use of his experience in the second half of most games.

“It has been a bit frustrating over the last couple of weeks but I felt I’ve done alright when I came in. We’ll just have to wait and see. The training is very competitive at the moment.

“If you don’t end up in the starting 15 you just have got to make sure you are mentally right to come on and do a job.

“Once you are in the shake-up, the top 20, you feel you are able to benefit the team as Pat does tend to use a lot of subs in every game.”

Cahill also confirmed that the extra week break from the other All-Ireland quarter-finals gives Dublin’s standout midfielder these past two years, Michael Dara Macauley, Eogan O’Gara and corner back Philly McMahon fighting chances of returning from injury.