Better-balanced Dubs to deliver

HE has been a wandering maestro for so long that we tend to overlook Mick O’Dwyer’s massive contribution to the development of football outside of Kerry.

In 1992 he brought Kildare to their first final in 14 years and six years later they celebrated their first success since 1956. Just two years ago he helped deliver the first Laois title in 57 years and here he is again, hoping to inspire a first ever win over Dublin in a final of the Bank of Ireland Leinster championship.

Along the way we've had no real surprises. Holders Westmeath fell at the first hurdle (to Kildare) but that wasn't entirely unexpected given that they struggled for much of their League campaign. Laois themselves should have exited the competition in their first outing, when only some very bad finishing by Offaly and a dramatic late goal from Russ Munnelly saved them. And, they achieved a remarkable transformation for the semi-final against Kildare which O'Dwyer described as 'one of the best displays from any team' in Croke Park.

Dublin's progression has been more steady than spectacular. Longford were outclassed in the first round but Meath, typically, pushed them hard before going under by two points. Likewise, Wexford put up a powerful challenge until succumbing to a late Jason Sherlock goal.

What it amounts to is that Dublin have yet to prove that they are capable performing as effectively as Laois did in their last outing. On the other hand, O'Dwyer's team will be meeting much tougher opposition.

From the relative 'high' of a praiseworthy All-Ireland quarter-final performance in 2003, when they were unlucky to lose to Armagh after an injury-time Ray Cosgrove free went wide off an upright, it has been something of a struggle for Dublin to reach a consistent level of performance. Last season, for instance, they were shocked by Westmeath in the first round and while they got as far as a quarter-final title against Kerry, they weren't up to the challenge on the day. Laois promised much more, losing narrowly to Westmeath in a replayed final and being unable to mount a serious challenge in the qualifiers. Physically and mentally drained, they lost heavily to Tyrone the day that Beano McDonald suffered his horrific leg injury.

Nevertheless, I believe that Dublin are improving with every outing and have been just as steadily gaining in confidence. The team looks better balanced overall and specifically, there is a more settled look about the attack, all the more so since Alan Brogan has begun to fulfil his promise. In real terms, it shows only four changes from the Kerry game last year, but on the evidence of what we have seen so far this season, the re-positioning of players like Shane Ryan and Bryan Cullen has helped improve stability. Most important of all, they have been playing better as a team.

I like the look of them and I feel they are going to win. Based on the quality of individuals like goalkeeper Fergal Byron, Joe Higgins, Tom Kelly, their midfielders and Ross Munnelly, I have the utmost respect for Laois and won't be in the least surprised to see them triumph.

But, it's Dublin for me. I feel the occasion will inspire them. And, it could be one of the games of the year.