Dublin on forward march

With the phenomenal scoring record of 15-52 for and 0-20 against, the Dublin minor football team go into Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final with a fast-growing reputation. Four daylight victories, each as one-sided as the other, have insured manager Paddy Canning is not short on confidence.

But he's not getting carried away either. The championship so far may have been a free-wheeling ride but Kerry are sure to take them into new territory. And although it was 1984 when Dublin last won the minor title outright, Canning is certainly not thinking about a final just yet.

"Well some of our opposition was poor enough up to this point," he says, "but we are happy enough with the road to this stage. Offaly just didn't seem to perform against us, and though Kildare did test us for a while, that was more because our forwards took a while to perform.

"So this is going to be a huge step up. We know these Kerry forwards are highly regarded. But the problem is that our backs haven't been truly tested yet, and we won't really know how good they are until Sunday."

Dublin's most recent victory - a 1-17 to 0-6 win over Offaly in the Leinster final - brought them their second Leinster minor football championship in three years. Seven points without reply in the first half and a goal from substitute Mark Taylor after 12 minutes of the second half proved too much for Offaly.

There is potential for big performances throughout the team. Declan O'Mahoney has been lording midfield and up front, Niall McCauliffe has been fulfilling the promise apparent as a juvenile. Corner-forwards David O'Callaghan and John Noonan have never been far from a score.

"I know we are capable of putting up a high score if we get a period where our forwards are able to play to their potential. The seven-week break has been a bit awkward, but it's the same for Kerry, and a lot will depend on how both teams deal with that.

"So we will be looking for a big game from our forwards, and we have put a lot of effort into the movement of the ball forward, so midfield will be vital as well. Our focus up to now has been on Leinster but a win this year would be a huge boost to the county in general."

Canning doesn't deny 1984 was a long time ago: "I think it is overdue now. We have underachieved at underage level in recent years, although it is still very competitive in the county. But you look at the likes of Westmeath and Laois and they've been able to pull it off in recent years.

"On our day, if we play to our potential, I think we are capable of going all the way this year. But so much about minor football depends on how they play on the day."

After managing the minor teams in 1997 and 1998, Canning took over this team as an under-16 squad and sees them through to minor level for the first season. Though he rates them as highly as any team he has managed, he knows that Kerry are going to present a major challenge.

"I've watched the video of them from their Munster final win over Cork and I don't think they were at their best that day. They were down at one stage but managed to turn it around and win by three.

"But they are a very useful side, and whenever Kerry take on Dublin, especially in Croke Park, you always get the bit of spice in there alright. On paper both sides have a reputation of high scoring now but we don't want Kerry taking all the spotlight. I'd be happy to see them win the senior match as long as we win the minor."