QUITE LITERALLY, them's the breaks. Every loose ball was hoovered up by the Dublin "middle eight", as Alan Brogan called them, yesterday. Maybe this was a key area of improvement the four-time Leinster champions had identified because they were ruthless in this endeavour.

It is certainly where Kerry and Mayo exposed them in recent years.

Either way, with Shane Ryan to the fore, Dublin trampled all over Wexford's dreams. Sobering stuff for the visitors - not that they would have necessarily remained so last night.

It could take decades before Wexford footballers convince themselves again they can live with Dublin; similar in many respects to their hurlers, who are routinely tortured by Kilkenny.

Wexford manager Jason Ryan at just 31, and in his first intercounty job, was a little green to all the post-match activity but still spoke with an honestly that must be respected.

He arrived into the media room as Paul Caffrey was answering questions, taking a seat beside the Dublin manager (somebody really should have given him a heads up on the protocol). On conclusion, Ryan presumed it was a sign to also exit stage left. We informed him the inquisition was yet to begin.

Before departing, Caffrey left a few words of commiseration for his opposite number: "We've had that sobering lesson here in the last couple of years in terms of losing big matches. Maybe you learn more about yourself as a person and I say that for myself as a manager and how I do things and the group of players you have when you do get an abrupt finish to your season."

An explanation for the Wexford collapse was sought. "The whistle at half-time," began Ryan. "There you go. The second half just didn't happen. In the first-half we managed to stay with them and contain what they do. They come out very, very hard in the first 10 minutes of each half. We didn't contain it so the gap just grew and grew and grew. If they develop any momentum in the forwards you are in trouble. We couldn't answer it.

"We were aware they were going to play a lot of diagonal ball over the top but it is very difficult to defend against it if you are clinical in how you execute it. They were today. The movement in the forwards was excellent."

Dublin cannot be criticised and understandably the tone of Caffrey's answers were sympathetic towards the vanquished.

"Nobody wanted that to happen to Wexford here today. They've been the story of '08 so far. They were well in it up to half-time. We kicked on and pushed up through the gears in the second half and that was pleasing. How good it will be for us going forward remains to be seen."

He was inevitably asked about the challenges that lie ahead.

"It doesn't change since I've been around the Dublin camp. I like to think I am very level-headed. I was here 25 years ago watching my brother (John Caffrey) win an All-Ireland. The best way of doing it is to win Leinster titles. We've had enough harsh lessons down in that dressingroom for us to remain very calm about where we are and where we want to go to.

"We expected to be here today. We expected to be lifting the Delaney trophy here today. The rest of the season starts tomorrow and that's what we are about."

Caffrey was then asked about the phenomenon that is 80,000 people going wild in Croke Park during high summer. He never seeks to be the spokesman on such issues but as Dublin manager he is inevitably shouldered with such responsibility. He wears it well.

"I think Dublin in the summer means an awful lot to Dublin supporters. We've been around for a few years to accept we have a hard-core base of supporters of about 10,000 for National League matches. I think Croke Park in the summer has become an occasion. It is a fantastic stadium. It is very accessible. The Dublin people have taken it to their heart. We as a group of players and management are only too glad to have given them four, five, six days every summer for the last few years. We shouldn't underestimate the pleasure people have taken coming in here. Days like today are fine and we know they'll be back the next day.

"But it is a summer thing, a summer phenomenon, but we enjoy playing here, particularly in front of full houses."