‘Win proved Dubs can go the distance’

ALAN BROGAN believes Dublin’s victory over Meath proves the county has rediscovered the killer instinct so badly lacking over the last two seasons.

"When we came out at half-time we knew we had to get a few scores. With their lead, if they'd landed the first few scores after the break they would have us under a bit of pressure but thankfully we got them and they were playing catch-up after that," Brogan said.

"It was a big relief to get the win. I was delighted with the way we came out all guns blazing and blew them out of the game."

However, he agrees there is plenty of room for improvement.

"Maybe we lacked a bit of composure at the end," he added.

"We could have kept the ball a bit more but you're always going to miss a few chances during the game. That's part and parcel of playing football."

The win was six months and seven National League matches in the making. Twice against Mayo and Donegal Dublin edged close games, and produced a spirited second-half comeback against Kerry.

"It's one thing we did show during the league and it paid off against Meath," said Shane Ryan.

"There were games in the league we won without playing particularly well, just like this one, where we won without playing as well as we can."

How far into the summer Dublin can go is open to question, but already the talk singling them out as dark horses for a central role in September has started in some quarters.

Whatever about that, Brogan admitted a loss to Meath would have been an almost terminal blow to the county's hopes of making headway.

"It's a boost to win any championship game but I think everyone knew what a big game this was for us after underperforming the last two years. Had we lost, it would have been a huge setback for us and for the manager. It would have been hard to lift ourselves after that."

Wexford, themselves a side with much still to prove on the big stage, are next in line.

"They've shown over the last few leagues that they're a very good team and in Matty Forde they've probably got the best forward in Ireland. I'd regard him that highly, having played with him for Leinster," said Brogan.

"Everyone knows how good a footballer he is. We'll have our homework done and we'll come out with a fresh approach for that game."

In Leinster, where form is as fickle as sunshine in March, it's difficult to call the months ahead.

"We'd like to think we're going to be the winners but I can see any of the four teams left winning it. On their day, Wexford can beat anybody and Laois have been there or thereabouts for the last number of years.

"They probably consider themselves All-Ireland as much as Leinster contenders at this stage and we've had our fair share of defeats to Kildare over the last few years. Tradition won't play any games or score any points for you."