Dublin poised for final delivery

Leinster U-21 H Final/Dublin v Offaly:Given their respective passages to this evening's Leinster final it's difficult to know who should qualify as favourites - Dublin, for their impressive semi-final win over Wexford, or Offaly, for their narrow win over All-Ireland holders Kilkenny.

There is a great air of expectation surrounding this Dublin team, and their ability to end the wait for a provincial title in this grade which stretches back to 1972. They've lost a series of deciders in recent years but this team is poised to add to the Leinster minor title of earlier this month.

Offaly, however, didn't defeat Kilkenny by accident, especially not in Nowlan Park, and there's a real danger they could wipe out all that Dublin expectation.

Dublin have injury problems, with wing back Conor Connolly ruled out with a groin injury and replaced by Ballyboden's Michael McGarry. John McCaffrey has not made a return from his groin injury to make the starting 15 while Shane O'Rorke, Kevin O'Reilly and Willie Lowry are more long-term injuries. Full back Peter Callaghan has been carrying an injury, and overall the Dublin defence will have a tough time handling Joe Bergin, Alan Egan and Shane Dooley.

Offaly also have a tough defence built around senior full back Paul Cleary, and Dublin probably won't find scores as easy to come by as they did against Wexford. Yet senior footballer Diarmuid Connolly adds some class to their attack.

Having last won this title in 2000, Offaly perhaps won't be as hungry as Dublin, but they can match their ability. Home advantage could be enough to decide it for Dublin.

DUBLIN:P Curtin; R Drumgoole, P Callaghan, D Webster; K Dunne, T Brady, M McGarry; J Boland, A McCrabbe; E Moran, D Connolly, S Lehane; P Carton, D O'Dwyer, R O'Carroll.

OFFALY:M Mulrooney; C Hernon, P Cleary, C Coughlan; D Kenny, B Leonard, B Watkins; S Ryan, C Mahon; D Horan, D Molloy, C Slevin; S Dooley, J Bergin, A Egan.