Lyons and Dublin have their reasons

Under-21 Football Final: It appears Dublin are perfectly poised to win this afternoon's All-Ireland under-21 football final, and so claim their first title in the 39-year history of the competition. Focused and thoroughly prepared, the team is loaded with talent and incentive to win.Ian O'Riordan reports

The problem for them is that Tyrone are equally well poised. They've already made history by winning four successive Ulster under-21 titles, and this afternoon they can deliver the county its third All-Ireland title in four years. There is also the small enticement of a senior-under-21 double.

What it means is that a rousing contest lies in store at Páirc Tailteann. To add to the occasion, the teams carry added rivalry, stemming from the All-Ireland minor final of 2001, which Tyrone won in a replay.

Dublin have nurtured the greater share of talent from that day, with seven survivors in the starting line-up, and another, David O'Callaghan, among the substitutes. Captain Alan Brogan is the most obvious player not to feature in that team.

But Tyrone didn't win that title by accident. Some of the talent that emerged from that team has already proved itself at senior level, most notably midfielder Seán Cavanagh and goalkeeper John Devine, both part of last Sunday's historic senior win. Another, defender Dermot Carlin, has also featured as a substitute with the seniors.

So those three are just one victory away from completing their set of All-Ireland medals - minor, under-21 and senior.

While Dublin did come out on the losing end of that minor confrontation, there was some revenge last year when they ended Tyrone's under-21 reign in the semi-final, before falling to Galway in the final.

The bones of that Dublin team have remained in place, and it's a well-balanced team. Paul Griffin and Brian Cullen have put their senior experience to good effect in organising a tight defence, and at midfield they have a great engine in Declan O'Mahoney. But up front is where Dublin are most dangerous. Brogan got 1-3 against Waterford, about his average all year, and others like Declan Lally and Graham Cullen are equally capable of finding the net.

Tyrone manager Peter Doherty said this week his team were still a year off full maturity, and more than half of them are young enough for the grade next season. Certainly there weren't any great expectations of them in Ulster this year, but they came through nonetheless, even if two late gaols were needed to beat Monaghan in the final.

Cavanagh clearly has a massive presence in the team. Lesser-known names like Kelvin Hughes and Joe McMahon are no less talented.

With such hype and support surrounding Tyrone, it's impossible to imagine they won't be fired up for this.

But when you weigh them both up Dublin have that bit more reason to win, and that includes manager Tommy Lyons. They can produce the necessary work-rate, they have the bond, and they look like they have the talent to at last bring the All-Ireland title home to Dublin.

DUBLIN: P Copeland; N Kane, M Fitzpatrick, P Griffin; N Cooper, B Cullen, C Prenderville; D O'Mahoney, P Brennan; C Keaney, L Óg Ó hÉineacháin, D Lally; A Brogan, G Cullen, J Noonan.

TYRONE: J Devine; S Sweeney, K McCrory, D Carlin; O Devine, M Garry, P O'Farrell; P Donnelly, S Cavanagh; L Meenan, J McMahon, K Hughes; M Penrose, A McCarron, R McCann.