Regardless of who wins, this will be a hard-earned AIB Leinster title. Both sides have three-match marathons under their belts and have displayed enormous doggedness getting to this final.

There are two basic assumptions about this match: one, Na Fianna should have too much class and, two, they have been handicapped a bit by having to play on four successive Sundays.

The first of these assumptions can be supported by reference to the quality of the teams played, with Sarsfields and Portarlington looking superior to Dunshaughlin and Edenderry. The second is also relevant, but in the circumstances, the Dubliners will prefer to get the championship over with before Christmas even if their dressingroom resembles a field hospital afterwards. Of course - and as manager Mick Galvin acknowledged - they were unlikely to be looking for time off after those numeracy problems.

There's another reason. Momentum has been established and as club managers will tell you, keeping it intact over the New Year is one of the trickiest aspects of this championship.

Rathnew have talented performers as well. Tommy Gill gets the opportunity to end the year as he started, frustrating a Dublin team - as he did in the O'Byrne Cup clash at Aughrim in January. His scoring tallies have been impressive and considering the menace posed by Sarsfields full forward Stuart McKenzie-Smith. Gill mightn't be as physically robust, but he's rangy and accurate.

Alternating with him between the 40 and full forward is Ronan Coffey and the tactic worked well against Edenderry. Furthermore, they looked predatory in the face of the Offaly side's lapses of concentration - just as they had against Dunshaughlin.

The trouble is their defence will have to cope with better forwards than any they have faced to date. Although injury is fraying the edges of Na Fianna's attack, it has a good balance. Des Farrell has been exceptional in winning ball and both he and Ian Foley have been scoring. Jason Sherlock - although not at his best the last day - is elusive and threatening and Senan Connell has pace even on heavy pitches.

Kieran McGeeney, particularly, and Karl Donnelly made a reasonable fist of countering Dermot Earley's rampant centrefield form a week ago and won't be under as much pressure tomorrow, especially as Declan Byrne is an injury concern.

The overall impression is of a side that will score more than Gill and company can manage at the other end.