The implications of Dublin losing to Meath last Sunday became apparent at half-time. Trailing by two points, after Graham Geraghty rolled back the years with some wondrous football, panic stations were being manned under the Hogan Stand.

There was no need for Dublin fans to worry, though, as several of the county's players have reached football maturity these past few months.

Composure has been added to the hunger that saw four of the starting line-up win All-Ireland medals at under-21 level in 2003. Paul Griffin, Conal Keaney and Bryan Cullen certainly stood up, but the most notable figure was Alan Brogan.

Since arriving on the county scene in 2002, Brogan has been a bundle of potential. Much like Mark Vaughan is now.

Last year he took time out in Australia, arriving back ahead of a forgettable championship but this time he has evolved into one of the team leaders. The go-to guy.

"It was a huge game for us and I think everyone knew that after we had under-performed the last two years," said Brogan. "Thanks be to God we came out on top because if we had of lost it would have been a huge setback for us.

"A huge setback for the manager and it would have been hard to lift ourselves after that so we were delighted to get out of Croke Park with a win. We'll enjoy it over the next couple of days then forget about it and concentrate on Wexford in the Leinster semi-final."

Keeping with Brogan family tradition in Croke Park, he ran at the opposition hard and with regularity, but more importantly his scoring contribution was ruthlessly consistent.

A wonder goal, skinning David Crimmins en route, eclipsed a pile-driver from Joe Sheridan and three massive points followed this up after the interval.

"When we came out after half-time we knew we had to get a few scores. If they had of got the first few scores it would have put us under a lot of pressure, but thankfully we got them and went from strength to strength leaving them to play catch up after that."

Brogan was talking about the four unanswered points, of which he contributed two gems, but what really kept the momentum in Dublin's favour was his reply to a Nigel Crawford score entering the final quarter.

It meant the pressure heaped on the shoulders of a young free-taker deep in injury-time was not over bearing.

Leading the charge during those vital 15 minutes also eased the fear of failure that has choked Dublin before.

"Meath were always going to have their strong period in the game and we came out for the second half all guns blazing - blew them out of the water in the third quarter of the game."

Meanwhile, the Leinster Council has confirmed that the football semi-final double header will take place as scheduled in Croke Park on June 19th. Leinster secretary Michael Delaney allayed fears that demand would exceed supply when Dublin meet Wexford and Laois play Kildare.

"We have an 80,000-plus capacity so the games will go ahead at Croke Park," said Delaney.

"With due respect to Wexford, their core support is only about 4,000, Laois 8,000 to 9,000 while Kildare can expect a greater number, but it should still be around 12,000 to 15,000."

The Leinster final two years ago attracted a crowd of over 60,000 to Croke Park, while 65,865 were present last Sunday.