Pillar’s Blues can add to Wexford’s 63-year agony

APART from Wexford’s qualification for the first time in 52 years, the most intriguing aspect of tomorrow’s GAA Leinster football championship final is Dublin’s form, and the prospects of them going all the way in Paul Caffrey’s last year in charge.

Based on the unconvincing nature of their victory over Westmeath, it’s clear that bigger questions are being asked about their ability to win this game and complete the county’s first four-in-a-row since 1995 — when they went on to win the All-Ireland!

You have to go back as far as 1945 to find Wexford winning the last of 10 provincial titles, but in the early years the Model County made history by becoming the first to win four All-Irelands in a row (1914-1918).

While hurling may be seen as the predominant game, there has always been a strong football tradition, and progress has been striking since the start of the decade.

It’s hardly a coincidence their advancement has accelerated since the introduction of the qualifier series in 2001, because they benefited from playing the likes of Tyrone, Derry, Monaghan and Westmeath. And, it was also aided by the emergence of talented players — Matty Forde notably — and the influence of “outside” managers.

Jason Ryan’s success is nothing short of phenomenal from a man (of 31) who had no previous management experience at inter-county level.

But it is also clear he is operating with an experienced squad and, in particular, a forward line no longer reliant on Forde’s undoubted skills.

Dublin did what was expected of them against Louth, even if it only happened for them in the second half. While they justified their favouritism against Westmeath, they were anything but convincing, though notably they survived through strong defensive play, when a weakness at full-back in the opening 20 minutes threatened to plunge them into defeat.

Before Cork staged their amazing second half recovery in the Munster final, Wexford had managed one of the most spectacular comebacks in recent times in the quarter-final against Meath in Dr Cullen Park. They were very poor in the first half, mainly because their opponents mopped up everything around the middle of the field and went in at half-time 10 points down. But, two inspired substitutions (Thomas Howlin at midfield and Adrian Morrissey at right half-back) revitalised their challenge and at the death, Forde came up trumps with an equalising free from a difficult angle and a winning score from a pressure kick from almost the same spot.

I have every confidence in Wexford putting up a very strong challenge, which, in certain circumstances, could see them triumphing.

Ultimately, however, their chances of winning will depend a lot on how Dublin perform. And, while the Westmeath display wouldn’t inspire confidence, I expect them to play much better — and be winners again.

Verdict: Dublin