Three key points on the Allianz NFL Division 1 final
1. Cork have nothing to fear at headquarters
The perception exists that when Dublin compete in the Leinster SFC these days, their tasks are akin to a series of FA Cup third-round ties contested by a side that are regularly found in the top-four of the Premier League and lower-level opposition attempting to throw a spanner in the works.
Whether such a perception is fair on their Leinster counterparts is debatable but it is a harsh reality regardless.
Yet, the Allianz NFL Division 1 final at Croker tomorrow represents a far different kettle for the Metropolitans.
Between them, Dublin and Cork have farmed the secondary competition for the last five seasons prior to this particular renewal.
And again, this term, the Boys in Blue and the Rebels finished second and first respectively in the top-tier of the regular-season.
So, even though Jim Gavin’s men are also favourites to lift the silverware tomorrow, Brian Cuthbert’s side are quietly confident of turning over Dublin, with good reason too.
In terms of consistency, the Leesiders are reaching a far more reliable level of performance throughout the competition than Gavin’s charges have.
Additionally, Cork have prevailed 60% of the time in their previous 25 competitive outings against Dublin with 15 victories in the last 30 years.
Furthermore – and this is relevant due to the significance of tradition and head-to-head records in the GAA – the Rebels have defeated Dublin in the last four league finals between the counties dating back to 1952.
Dublin have been warned!
2. Half-back line v Half-back line
The league final will be won by whichever team’s half-back line dominates on secondary possessions and is courageous enough to press high up the field to support their respective attacking units.
The intriguing aspect of this particular tie is that both sides possess half-back lines capable of achieving both of those objectives to a polished standard.
Gavin has named James McCarthy, Cian O’Sullivan and the irrepressible Jack McCaffrey, Dublin’s most dynamic and outstanding performer thus far this season, in that sector while Cuthbert has stationed Jamie O’Sullivan, Conor Dorman and Fermoy’s Tomás Clancy in the Leesiders’ half-back line.
All six of those players are potential match-winners on Jones’s Road with Cork’s trio particularly threatening from deep running off the shoulder of the likes of marauding Mark Collins.
It may be a case that a noteworthy percentage of the scoring is registered by these two lines.
3. Bernard Brogan’s presence
Bernard Brogan was a late omission from Dublin’s starting line-up for their semi-final triumph over Monaghan.
Nevertheless, the St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh attacker is again named at corner-forward by Gavin for this forthcoming occasion and given the significance of the encounter will obviously actually play in the decider.
The question is, do Cork have the man-marker in their full-back line capable of nullifying Brogan?
If the Rebels have one standout weakness it is that high-quality man-markers are in short supply within their panel.
If Dublin supplies Brogan with intelligently-placed possessions Cork should find themselves on the back-foot.
Conversely, of course, in Colm O’Neill and Brian Hurley Cork have two of the very best forwards in the business.
Philly McMahon and Jonny Cooper are, on paper at least, stationed in the corner-back slots for Dublin but neither is likely to curtail O’Neill or Hurley, that particular Leeside duo are on fire and could torment Dublin defensively.
