Dublin set to end 18-year drought

LEINSTER UNDER-21 FC/Final: Dublin is ready to end its long period of underachievement in under-21 football, according to team selector Paddy Canning. On Sunday they play Wicklow in the Leinster final in Newbridge seeking their first such title in 18 years.

A year ago Dublin appeared similarly poised for the title only to fall to Meath in the final (though injuries played a major part). Now their position appears stronger and though the team hasn't exactly hit full stride yet Canning believes the foundations have never been more solid.

"There's no doubt Dublin have underachieved in the past at under-21 level," he says. "But I think we have been coming now for the last three or four years. We may still be a little off winning an All-Ireland title but should be ready to take Leinster now."

And Canning should know better than anyone the state of underage football in Dublin. Having worked with the county minors over the last few years, Canning has seen a notable improvement in Dublin's fortunes at that level. His first team in 1998 lost to then All-Ireland champions Laois, and last year's side became the first from the county in 17 years to reach an All-Ireland final - Tyrone beat them after a replay.

Last November Canning became part of the new Dublin senior management, a selector with Paul Caffrey and Dave Billings under manager Tommy Lyons. Canning is a link between the senior team and the under-21 panel, where Brian Talty is part of the training set-up.

"I would be happy enough with the way things have gone so far," says Canning. "But we haven't been playing that great either. We were definitely that bit jittery against Kildare in the semi-final but our aim all along was to win Leinster and I think we're still on course for that.

"And it is a very well-balanced panel at the moment, even though we haven't quite got that cohesion on the playing field yet. We do have the quality in there now and there is plenty of experience as well."

Canning does not expect Wicklow (managed by former Dublin minor David Whelan) to be a pushover: "Absolutely not. We played them in a challenge earlier in the season and it was very tight. We managed to win by a point or so but they were as good as any side we'd met.

"We didn't play that many challenges but we knew Wicklow were going to be a force this year. They are particularly strong around the middle of the field and are well able to win this game too."

Yet on paper at least Dublin appear quite formidable. Five of those starting on Sunday played regularly for the Dublin seniors during the league - goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, defenders Barry Cahill and Paul Casey, midfielder Darren Magee and forward Alan Brogan. The other midfielder, Conor Murphy, made a couple of senior appearances too.

Canning believes the mix is almost perfect: "It's been a while since a Dublin under-21 side has had that many seniors to call on. We also have maybe eight or nine players who were beaten in the Leinster final last year, and then maybe another nine players in the panel who will be underage again next year."

Centre back Bryan Cullen, the minor captain, is one of three changes from the semi-final. He scored two crucial two points after coming in the last day. Another inspirational substitute, Declan Lally will start at centre forward. Mark Fitzpatrick comes in at left corner-back in place of the injured Stephen O'Shaughnessy.

DUBLIN (Under-21 football v Wicklow): S Cluxton; N Kane, D Corcoran, M Fitzpatrick; B Cahill, B Cullen, P Casey; D Magee, C Murphy; K Devine, D Lally, L Óg Ó hÉineacháin; A Brogan, G Cullen, T Quinn.