How big is Dublin’s Croker shadow?

“I honestly believe Croke Park must be worth an eight-point advantage to Dublin,” writes John Fogarty

Pre-match hyperbole or reality, Kevin Walsh’s comment warrants consideration. He never expanded on the comment but he wouldn’t be the first manager to mention the factor. If it was a roundabout way of looking for a leveller, what might it be?

Were it an attempt to dampen expectations, he need not have worried. Although Galway is the unbeaten team, table-toppers and seek to expand their league run without a defeat to 12 games, Dublin would be fancied in Croke Park or anywhere.