Head-To-Head: Darren Fay v Ian Robertson

Darren Fay

Age: 23. Position: Full back. Debut: 1996 Leinster quarter-final v Carlow. Championship Appearances: 13. Scored: 1-3.

Honours: All-Ireland SFC 1 (1996), Leinster SFC 1 (1996), All-Star 1 (1996).

Strengths: Darren Fay is such an accomplished defender at this stage that it's difficult to believe he has only played at senior level for three years. He has great speed for a full back. Against Offaly, he was marking one of the quickest forwards in the game in Roy Malone and just gave him nothing. No room at all. Even when Offaly were enjoying the better of things early on, Fay did enough, getting vital touches in, breaking down ball. It was an awesome display. Also, his distribution is terrific; rarely are his clearances wasted or aimless. I also see him as quite a motivational player, someone who really makes that watertight defensive unit gel together.

Weaknesses: It is difficult to highlight any real weaknesses on the basis of his performances to date. But I have a feeling that maybe he prefers to operate deep in defence and may not appreciate being dragged around the field so much. I don't think Tom Carr will positionally switch Ian Robertson - because Fay will remain at full back anyway - but they may try to isolate himself and Fay and hope to engineer scoring chances for Robertson in that way. But his limitations are so few that he probably deserves to be called the best full back in Ireland at the moment.

Fay v Robertson: It could well be his toughest test to date. I think Darren is a footballing defender as much as he is a strong full back and he will play Robertson whatever way the forward wants it. It will be interesting to see how he does if he is isolated against Robertson but overall, I expect him to shade it.

Background: A Trim native. His father Jimmy played in goal for Meath for six years, finishing his career before the glory years of the late 1980s. Lost a minor final with Meath in 1993 against Cork and was drafted into the panel for the Leinster senior final against Dublin two years later.

Fay on Fay: "This Meath team are young and winning an All-Ireland hasn't lessened our hunger. Being honest, I'd have to say that I want to win about three All-Ireland medals before I leave the game."

Ian Robertson

Age: 23. Position: Full forward. Debut: 1997 Leinster quarter-final v Meath. Championship Appearances: 3.

Scored: 2-5.

Strengths: Ian's conversion from defence to full forward has been an unmitigated success. I think that the most impressive aspect of his play has been the obvious improvement he has shown in each game. I think it's fair to say that Dublin would not still be in this championship had it not been for the coolness he displayed in the dying minutes of the draw against Laois. His contribution was even more noteworthy in the replay, when he hit four points from play and also created a number of other points. He is an extremely level-headed player with fine positional awareness and economical in possession. He would appear to thrive under pressure and looks to have that instinct which all natural scorers need.

Weaknesses: His relative inexperience in this position may tell against him but not necessarily. He definitely has the maturity to cope. I thought that in the replay against Laois he tended to do better in pressure situations than when he was given time. He turned a few chances wide when he found himself in space. I feel he may have to survive on poorer quality ball than he enjoyed against Laois. I can't see Dublin having the time or space to thread the same type of passes through to him. He likes getting the ball on his strong side and I'm sure the Meath defence will be aware of that.

Robertson v Fay: This will be the litmus test of his year. He has the ability to test the Meath man, certainly, and I can't see Dublin winning this match if Ian has a quiet game. He will have poise enough not to need the early settling score; Fay will have to be alive to him throughout. Needs to create space for himself and take Fay out of the comfort zone of the square. It's a tough task.

Background: From his underage days with Ballymun Kickhams, Robertson was recognised as the real thing. Grew up accustomed to being switched all over the field - he played at forward, midfield and half back for the Dublin minors, a measure of his versatility. Drafted into the Dublin senior panel in 1994 along with Jason Sherlock. Started his senior career in earnest as a defender and eyebrows were raised earlier this summer when Tom Carr named him at full forward at the outset of the championship against Louth. But he blossomed there from the first minutes.

Robertson on Robertson: "My only preference is that I play down the middle. I don't really care so long as it's not the wing. I just grew up in those spots so I'm used to them. I don't mind the idea of playing as a forward. I like to get a score same as any other player - when I can."