GAELIC GAMES/Leinster SFC first round Dublin v Meath:The extent to which the public had lost interest in this fixture was over-estimated two years ago and over 65,000 turned up. But it's easy to sympathise with the nostalgia for the old days when Dublin-Meath meant something not just in Leinster but at the ultimate level.
Up until 2001, the year of Meath's most recent win and the last time either reached an All-Ireland final, the winners of this fixture had gone on to reach the final 11 times in 15 seasons, winning it on six occasions. In the past six years Leinster football has laboured to make an impression at the top end of the game and that has affected perceptions of this rivalry. Leinster secretary Michael Delaney has made the point that the absence of Meath as a force has ultimately cost Dublin by not exerting the type of pressure on which the counties thrived in the past.
Under the new management of Colm Coyle Meath have looked a lot more confident and their recent run of three good wins over Monaghan and Roscommon in the Division Two play-offs and against Kildare in Leinster has given them momentum at a time when Dublin have been confined to the challenge circuit.
The champions face big issues the league campaign left unresolved: the full-back position with which newcomer Ross McConnell has been entrusted, Bryan Cullen's defensive game - admittedly unlikely to be fully tested by a converted full back - and the need for reliable score getters up front.
Dublin's tendency to evaporate in the closing stages of matches isn't as relevant tomorrow because there won't be too many inhibitions amongst the players facing Meath, against whom only three of the team have lost a senior match. Meath's centrefield is big and imposing whereas Dublin have yet to display any fluency in the sector. Ciarán Whelan is nursing an injured hand and Darren Magee has bad memories of Mark Ward from last season's county championship when the latter was playing for UCD.
Dublin's half forwards, with Jason Sherlock out injured, aren't built for creativity or scoring threat with Colin Moran and Shane Ryan more adept at ball winning and newcomer Diarmuid Connolly a gamble in terms of temperament. On the inside line Alan Brogan will carry the usual burden of expectation although Conal Keaney's return to form in challenges promises a sharing of that weight. Also important will be the extent to which Tomás Quinn can recover his form.
The reservations aren't all one way. Brian Farrell was Meath's top scorer in the league and two years ago took Dublin for four points from play. He's suspended tomorrow, a major disadvantage for the challengers.
Only once in the last 21 seasons in which they've played have the winners failed to go on to win Leinster. That mightn't be such a big deal for Dublin but they'd take it. It's just that with their ambitions this shouldn't be surrounded by such apprehension.
In the last episode: This is the counties' 21st match in 25 seasons. The most recent meeting two years ago was a good illustration of the fixture's eternal appeal when, as distant outsiders, Meath nonetheless pushed the match to the final minutes and Dublin were fortunate to progress. Meath haven't beaten the neighbours in six championships.
You bet: For all the uncertainty in Dublin the team are a well fancied 4-9 with Meath 9-4 and the draw available at 15-2.
On your marks: Dublin's two debutants carry much of the responsibility for improving the team on last year. Ross McConnell is a synthetic full back, who despite impressive genetic coding for the position has virtually no experience there. This sort of move from centrefield has worked in the past - John O'Keeffe, Dermot Deasy and the late Cormac McAnallen - but it's a major gamble even on a fading Graham Geraghty. At wing forward Diarmuid Connolly's talents are widely acknowledged but delivery has proved more elusive. Encouraging displays will almost certainly mean a Dublin win. Otherwise and things could get dispiriting.
Gaining ground: The season really gets under way with the first big event in Croke Park with a capacity crowd.
Just the ticket: Sold out.
Crystal gazing: Meath's momentum has been built on comfortable performances against limited opposition whereas Dublin haven't had the opportunity to shake off the cobwebs of a disappointing NFL campaign. On paper the champions are still the better team - and on grass.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; D Henry, R McConnell, P Griffin; P Casey, B Cullen, B Cahill; C Whelan, D Magee; C Moran, S Ryan, D Connolly; A Brogan, C Keaney, T Quinn.
MEATH: B Murphy; E Harrington, D Fay, N McKeigue; S Kenny, A Moyles, C King; N Crawford, M Ward; P Curran, K Reilly, P Byrne; S Bray, G Geraghty, J Sheridan.
Referee: Jim McKee (Armagh).
