LEINSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL: Dublin v MeathVenue: Croke Park Throw-in: 4.0 On TV: TV3
LIKE WEXFORD, whom Dublin were fortunate to dispatch tomorrow’s opponents Meath have progressed farther in the All-Ireland championship during the past two years than their opponents have managed.
This is a significant consideration as it undermines the assumption that Dublin have been operating at a higher level in the past and therefore have an edge irrespective of form going into this GAA Leinster football semi-final.
Form is very discouraging for the champions. Meath might have had their problems in terms of leaking the scores that kept Offaly on life support for the first half of the preliminary round and allowed Laois resuscitate themselves at the end of the drawn quarter-final.
But they have also shown an attacking scope that enabled them surmount those barriers comfortably enough in the end.
Dublin’s performance against Wexford was dismaying on a few levels. The terrible start and the inability to take hold of the game might have been explained by the considerable loss of Cian O’Sullivan, their defensive keystone, within a few minutes of start but the inability to recover quickly was startling.
The fact the team couldn’t take their few chances in the first half exposed them to a dangerous situation, as did the apparent inability to regroup at half-time, which was evident in a third quarter during which only Wexford’s gathering inhibitions left the door open.
Finally having closed the gap, Dublin had 10 minutes to close the deal in normal time but couldn’t, albeit they easily outran Wexford in the extra 20 minutes.
With that array of chances Meath would be unlikely to miss-fire and the danger for Dublin is they will struggle to contain the challengers.
Meath’s less than convincing centrefield isn’t up against a dual All Star combination, such as Dublin used to have, so there’s unlikely to be a decisive winner in the sector.
With an equal share of ball it would come down to who’s going to make the possession pay a better yield.
Dublin have the advantage of a decent looking full-back line, whereas Meath’s rearguard is suspect. Rory O’Carroll will be awkward and combative on Shane O’Rourke but who in a Dublin half-back line blessed with neither conspicuous size or pace will take care of Joe Sheridan, looking in the best championship shape of his career, or the flying Graham Reilly on the wing?
Another factor in the match that tends towards Meath is that of hunger. Dublin are pursuing a sixth successive Leinster title and none of the previous five have been the prelude to anything truly impressive. How much motivation can they eke out of this now the shiny novelty of the team has been dulled slightly by injury and suspension and the consequent return of some of those out of favour during the league?
Meath on the other hand would snap at the chance of a Leinster title and bring to the task the hunger of people who haven’t eaten well in years. Dublin really need to step up.
In the last episode: Last year's Leinster meeting was a most unusual Dublin-Meath match with little atmosphere despite Meath staying in touch for the duration of the match. Eventually Dublin made their better supply tell but in a curiously anti-climactic way.
You bet: Dublin are still favourites at 8 to 11, Meath 6 to 4 and the draw 15 to 2.
On your marks: Bernard Brogan had a mixed day against Wexford but still managed a match-winning total. Meath don't look confident at the back and if Brogan gets the chances and takes them at his most clinical, it could be decisive.
Gaining ground: This is one of Croke Park's banker fixtures and normally gets up to the 65-70,000 mark. Tomorrow's World Cup England-Germany match may take a toll on some of the customary crowd but with the scent of breakthrough in their nostrils Meath should be out in force.
Just the ticket: Stand tickets (€30 – no concessions in Hogan), Family tickets for the Cusack and Davin stands (adults €30 and children €5). Terrace (€20 – no concessions). Students and OAPs can get €15 rebate.
Crystal gazing: Meath's time may just about have come.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, R OCarroll, P McMahon; G Brennan, B Cullen, B Cahill; E Fennell, R McConnell; P Flynn, A Brogan, N Corkery; C Keaney, B Brogan, T Quinn.
MEATH: B Murphy; C O'Connor, K Reilly, E Harrington; A Moyles, G OBrien, C King; B Meade, M Ward; S Kenny, J Sheridan, G Reilly; C Ward, S O'Rourke, S Bray.
Referee: Pádraig Hughes(Armagh)
