The time is now .... hopefully ...

Reared on a diet of Heffo, Hanahoe, Hickey, Jimmy, Mullins, the Hill and Sams on a regular basis the current diet has gone on far too long. From being a fat cat regularly supping at the top table, the Dublin fan has become slimline, reduced to provincial scraps. Or often approaching the door of the dining hall only to be cruelly turned away, the appetite never sated.

The noughties were just that – very naughty. The Ulster might of Armagh froze us out – hard to understand when you watched Dublin destroy their predecessors in your youth. (Not forgetting the early 90s here when Down, Derry and Donegal all put the Dubs to the sword but that’s for another day!) Then as if that wasn’t bad enough it was Tyrone. And always Kerry. It got so bad that you could throw Mayo in the mix too. Replays, last minute shots hitting the posts, wonder goals, wonder points (always conceded rather than scored!) – all contrived to make you wonder if someone up there didn’t like us. Bad enough that everybody else hates us without the man above too!!

There were the days when you travelled to Croker with much hope and anticipation – with 2006, 2008 and 2009 probably the most painful in a litany of distressing days. And then the word was out – bottlers. Dublin just couldn’t win outside Leinster. Couldn’t beat the top teams. And you wondered how this had come about. The overhyped Pillar years where the swagger was outré-swaggering usually ended in ignominy – Leinster was a cakewalk but thereafter a brick wall.

Along came Giller – a different kettle of fish in a pond full of sharks. Diligent, quiet and hard working – things should get better. And they nearly did. But the hidings persisted – the failings and fallings continued. But they were getting a bit better. We even managed to beat a couple of top teams. And we nearly did it in 2010. Bolted out from the blocks only to be caught at the tape – out of steam.

But there was honesty there – and hard work, commitment, focus, skill, ability, drive and .. hunger. Hopefully insatiable hunger. Failure is not an option. No fancy dans, no showboating. no gloating. Just a single minded and ruthless determination.

I think it will see us in Croke Park in September for the first time in 15 long and often painful years. Will it be enough to finally annex the Holy Grail …. personally, I think so.

It's Dublins time to step into the breach left by Tyrone and dominate for the next few years. Still have plenty of lads with AI U21 Medals, a Minor team coming through that looks to be one of the most talented and powerful sides we have seen at that level, the Dubs have no excuses not to take control. Will that start this year? Probably.
They should beat Donegal, it would be a huge blow if they didn't. The real test will be in the final, if they can take on this Kerry side with so much experience in Finals and so much class up front and beat them then they will be deserving Champs. Win one and they are in a brilliant position to follow it up with more in the coming years. Dublin's to lose.

It's Dublin's to lose this year. They're looking dangerous all over the park, determined and hardworking having gotten rid of the showboating. The management team seems sound and there has been no mention of any blue books which is always good to hear. Donegal are a very fit and hardworking team but I think lack of experience and scorers will be the end of them. The final would be interesting, but the rest of the country would have to unplug their tvs until a couple of minutes before throw in as we will be shown old Dublin/Kerry matches ad nauseum and given the opinion of every Kerry or Dublin player who ever played. I would expect Dublin to win the final if they get to it, leaving Meath in a perfect position to pounce next year