Dublin’s annihilation of Longford in the Leinster football quarter-final has prompted much talk about changes to the championship structure that might help the so-called ‘weaker counties’.
However, for Dubs midfielder Denis Bastick, being involved with a team that currently dines at football’s top table brings with it other discussions. Chief among those is the lessons that have been learned after last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal.
The Templeogue Synge Street player concededed that Dublin made "a lot of mistakes" on that August afternoon.
“We had done okay up to that stage. I think we hadn’t lost a match in the championship for two years up to that game," said Bastick.
“And then against Donegal, we made a lot of mistakes. We got found out in terms of letting in goals and then we were chasing the game. It was impossible then against a strong team to come back from that."
Bastick went on to say that Dublin are always looking to improve offensively, but stressed that they must be more aware of their defensive responsibilities.
“We’re constantly evolving, constantly trying to improve our game plan, improve the way we play, our style,” he added.
“"We like that open, expansive style of play, that’s what we’re trying to do, play creative football.
“[But] we also have to look defensively then, and how we can make sure we’re solid at the back as well as going forward.
“We’re quite confident that we’re good at opening up teams, making good scoring opportunities and getting high tallies but we have to get a good structure in defence as well.”
Jim Gavin's troops are favourites to claim a third All-Ireland crown in five years this September, but Bastick, not surprisingly based on last year's fall at the penultimate hurdle, is taking nothing for granted.
"We know that after last year's semi-final, any team can beat you.
"We’re not world beaters. If we don’t perform, we’re an average side and we know that and we’ve said that about ourselves.
“It just brings it back to reality that there are no guarantees. We can be favourites or whatever but that doesn’t mean that you’re going to win an All-Ireland."
Bastick featured in the rout of Longford last Sunday week, but subsequently picked up an ankle injury while playing for his club.
And while he does not expect to be sidelined for too long, he did add that any lay-off for however long, does make you nervous with regard to keeping your spot on the county side.
“I rolled my ankle there on Saturday playing with the club. I’m getting it looked at. I should be okay as I have been through worse than that before. I had the crutches at home and it’s handy enough having a spare pair at home just to keep the weight off it.
“Everyone goes through their bad patches of getting hurt or knocks and stuff. That's that’s the nature of the game and you just have to do what the medical team say and try and get yourself right.”
Denis Bastick was speaking at the launch of Toyota's Summer Showtime promotion.
