Dubs relish underdog tag

Brendan O’Brien

Paul Caffrey’s side were five points up on the 2003 champions at half-time, but needed two late points to salvage a draw.

As with any replay, the perception is that, as underdogs, Dublin’schance has diminishedbut Farrell doesn’t agree.

“Obviously we played pretty well in the first half and the second-half performance let us down a bit. That’s been typical of some of our performancesbut we’re still in there with a fighting chance. We’ll be well preparedand ready to go.”

Though they won a first Leinster title in three years this summer, it remains to be seen how much this Dublin team has left in the locker.

Question marks persist over a number of positions, including the sub-par performances of captain Paddy Christie at full-back and 2002 skipper Coman Goggins at wing-back. Despite his best efforts there, midfield is patently not the most effective position for Shane Ryan and they still look a couple of forwards shortup front.

“We’ve been steadily improvingand perhaps there may be more improvement in us,” said Farrell. “Obviously that question will be answered on Saturday but you have to be optimistic.

“You must feel that you have a great chance. It’s a 50-50 game and whoever can deliver a consistent performance over the 70 minutes will be in with a great chance.”

In spite of those shortcomings, their provincial title proves this is without a doubt a superior side to the ones that failed to ignite this past seasons. The personnel hasn’t changed but the manager and the team’s character have. “There’s a ‘refuse to lose’, ‘never say die’ attitude which has been encouraging. Over the last couple of years, that characteristic has perhaps been absent. You can take a bit of self-belief and confidence from that, that we will keep going until the final whistle and that we won’t capitulate. It’s to do with maturity as much as character. Players are better able to cope with whatever is thrown at

them and take that on board in a better fashion.”

None have matured more than Tomás ‘Mossie’ Quinn. Having auditioned off and on for the central part of chief free-taker for the past few

seasons, the St Vincent’s forward has finally convinced enough to be handed the part full-time this year.

The value of a dependable dead-ball merchant was highlighted by Ger Farragher’s performance for Galway against Kilkenny last Sunday, but Quinn has been hammering home the point all season long.

Against both Laois and Tyrone this summer his unerring accuracy late in the game clutched positive results for Dublin from the jaws of defeat.

“It’s been our Achilles heel for a while now, not having a free-taker. Mossie’s been a revelation, one or two hairy moments but he’s pulled through,” Farrell agreed.

“Free-taking is a vital component in the modern game. You just can’t do without it. It’s good that we’ve rectified that problem.”