The Irish Sun are this morning reporting that Dublin have taken some drastic steps to overcome the ultra-defensive turn that gaelic football has taken. Jim Gavin has roped in a renowned basketball coach to help deal with the widely criticised tactic of the blanket defence.
According to the newspaper, Mark Ingle has been drafted in to help overcome the kind of defences that saw Dublin battle to overcome Derry 0-8 to 0-4 in the National League last weekend. Ingle is coach of DCU Mercy and he was reportedly invited to join the Dubs training during pre-season where he had players playing basketball to help break down the kind of packed defence that is used in the game.
Given the day that's in it, if it is true it would make quite a bit of sense. Various radio outlets have ran with the story in this morning bulletins, however, it seems not everyone is buying it.
The Sun is reporting this morning that Dublin boss Jim Gavin has drafted in a basketball coach to overcome the blanket defence. #winkwink
— Ian Dempsey (@IanDempsey) April 1, 2015
@IanDempsey @MaryLouMcDonald #AprilFoolsday2015 hmmmmm 😱 #winkwink 😉 good effort
— Ⓣom (@76TMcD) April 1, 2015
The Sun have been having a bit of fun today (see below), however, if the Dublin story is in fact a joke then it is probably hitting too close to home to be a good one.
Isle of Man team hoping to join League of Ireland in time for 2017 season. See @IrishSunSport for the exclusive story pic.twitter.com/cYHCGyKMVw
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) April 1, 2015
