Leinster SFC Quarter-final/Longford v Dublin: If what they say about Hill 16 is true and it's worth three points to Dublin then Longford can at least be confident about reducing the 19-point defeat they suffered when these same teams met in Croke Park a year ago. If playing on the home turf of Pearse Park gives them a similar advantage then maybe they can reduce it even more.
But it's hard to see how Longford can get much closer, and another double-digit defeat is possible. Manager Luke Dempsey has been able to name his strongest possible team - unlike last year - but it's more like a Longford team for the future. While experienced names are there, such as Trevor Smullen and Paul Barden, there are also four members of this year's under-21 team, including debutant full back Noel Farrell and wing forward Pádraig Berry.
Two other under-21s start, midfielder Bernard McElvaney and corner forward Brian Kavanagh, although they did endure last year's defeat. Smullen and Barden will play a vital role in the half-forward line, and Liam Keenan brings similar strength to midfield, but it's the Longford defenders who will really need to hold their nerve tomorrow such is the daunting presence of the Dublin attack.
With Alan Brogan back to full fitness and playing at centre forward, flanked by Bryan Cullen and newcomer Kevin Bonner, the full-forward line of Tomás Quinn, Conal Keaney and Mark Vaughan are capable of inflicting serious damage. Vaughan has obviously earned his place on performances in training, and keeps the likes of Jason Sherlock and Ray Cosgrove on the bench, and there are further reserves in Colin Moran, who is a little short of match fitness, and Bernard Brogan - who shares all the talents of his older brother.
Dublin are equally strong at the back, with former captain Coman Goggins back to his best, and the other newcomer, Niall O'Shea, proving his worth throughout the league. Barry Cahill holds down the full back position for the injured Paddy Christie and is no less a barrier, while David Henry in the other corner is equally talented.
Longford clearly won't find it easy to break through that defence, and if Dublin get a head start like they did in Croke Park 12 months ago then it could be all over by half time. Dublin will be looking for a strong show, as it's their only real test run before the semi-final, a game where the stakes rise considerably. It promises to be a memorable occasion but the fun part for Longford could be over soon.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; N O'Shea, B Cahill, D Henry; P Casey, C Goggins, P Griffin; C Whelan, S Ryan; K Bonner, A Brogan, B Cullen; T Quinn, C Keaney, M Vaughan.
LONGFORD: D Sheridan; D Brady, N Farrell, E Ledwith; C Conefrey, A O'Connor, D Reilly; B McElvaney, L Keenan; T Smullen, P Barden, P Berry; D Barden, K Mulligan, B Kavanagh.
