In the general sphere of football captains there are few less inscrutable than Dublin's Colin Moran. In person he is unfailingly polite and well-spoken, devoid of superficiality, and a model of self-control, someone you suspect would never go on a shopping spree.

In action he displays similar traits, cautious, reliable and consistent, and not surprisingly never red-carded. He doesn't possess a panic button and ends up most of the time as the guy you want to root for. Of course, he could be travelling under a false passport, but it's hard to doubt the authenticity of his steel and concrete persona.

And yet, you still have to wonder at how Moran actually coped with his last three championship campaigns with Dublin. He played one game in 2004 before a broken arm - a ghastly triple smashing of bone - forced him into an eight-month layoff. In 2005, he worked his way back into the team, and was rewarded with his second Leinster title in the one-point win over Laois. He was later substituted in All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone and ultimately the season ended on a low.

The lowest point was last year, when Moran entered the season as the new Dublin captain, replacing Paddy Christie. A groin injury sidelined him for most of the spring, and limited him to just eight minutes of football for the summer - including a brief cameo in the Leinster final win over Offaly.

So while Moran got to lift the Delaney Cup, it wasn't quite the real deal, with acting captain Bryan Cullen sharing the honour. Surely, inside, he was losing it - the disappointment of three rough seasons too much to handle? "That was terribly frustrating," says Moran. "But, touch wood, I've had a good run this year. In hindsight, I think I pushed things too hard last year, had a few setbacks, because my initial comeback was supposed to be in April.

"But towards the end of the season I really enjoyed the club championship, and then the interprovincial series. I had a good break after that, and certainly came back in January very fresh and ready for another season."

So, when Moran goes about assessing Dublin's season to date there is nothing but honest accountability, starting with the two games against Meath. "They were big tests of character. I know as players we've been a little frustrated with people saying we couldn't win tight games. I suppose in the first game if you are betting on anyone with 10 minutes to go it would have been Meath. They seemed to have the momentum, but we kicked two points in the end, showed some good resolve.

"And I think there was also an element of satisfaction we finished that second game very strong, and kicked the last three or four scores in a row. And as players all we can say is we're three years down the road with this management team, and there have been quite a few examples of tight games we have won over those three years, especially in Leinster.

"We would be disappointed when we do lose tight games, and would always look for areas we can improve on that, but I think the Meath games served as a reminder that we can do it."

And despite the 14-point win over Laois last summer Moran expects another tight game on Sunday: "They're a very dangerous side. Anyone who knows us would say last year's game wasn't a fair reflection of where the teams are. I think they've strengthened their team again this year with a couple of players from the successful under-21 team. I expect it will go to the wire again, that there is a big game in them."

Yet, he feels Dublin are a stronger team too, most notably with Ross McConnell at full back and Mark Vaughan a regular in the forward line.

"Ross is a natural footballer, and can play out the field as well. He's done a great job in a very difficult position. He's so composed on the ball he just doesn't look like a guy in his debut season. And Mark's range with dead balls is a welcome addition as well. The likes of Bernard Brogan and Diarmuid Connolly have championship experience under their belt, and I think will show more of their ability in the next few games."

Now he's a regular in the forward line again Moran must find it hard not to dream about lifting the Sam Maguire.

"We're going for three in a row in Leinster, and that's means a huge amount to everyone in the Dublin squad. There were lots of years when we couldn't win a Leinster, like after 1995, to 2002. So the possibility of three in a row is our only ambition at the moment. If we get over that we'll look towards the All-Ireland."