Leinster SFC semi-final


Dublin v Westmeath


Croke Park, 2.00


Referee P Hughes (Armagh)


Live, TV3, 1.00


Remember the last time these sides clashed in the Leinster championship? Westmeath won, the Dublin vitriol spilled from the terraces and Tommy Lyons knew it was over. Don't expect such scenes this afternoon – after all Paul Caffrey deserves huge credit for Dublin's domination of Leinster – but don't be surprised if he gets that same sinking feeling Lyons experienced.


Granted, it was a weakened Dublin attack that Westmeath brushed to one side in the Division Two final but the midlanders still have the best defence in the land. In the league their back six held Steven McDonnell, Ronan Clarke, Seanie Johnston, Conal Keaney, Stephen Bray and Tommy Freeman to two points. Not two points each or two points from play – two points in total. The temperature upped in the championship, but they still didn't melt, holding Brian Kavanagh to two against Longford and Niall McNamee to 1-1 from play against Offaly.


That they've come through those local derbies with little fuss adds to their threat today and if Dennis Glennon is the player of the league final as opposed to Tullamore and Dessie Dolan is the player Croke Park continually sees, then the shock is on.


Four of the Dublin back six that started the game between these sides just under two months ago remain. Ross McConnell wasn't there but still hasn't proven himself a full-back while Stephen O'Shaughnessy is the other who's in on the back of a dreadful display against Colm Judge. Martin Flanagan's huge loss is offset by the bizarre omission of Ciaran Whelan. He may play a part if things start to go wrong but even that may not be enough.


Verdict Westmeath


DUBLIN S Cluxton; D Henry, R McConnell, S O'Shaughnessy; C Moran, B Cullen, B Cahill; E Fennell, S Ryan; P Flynn, J Sherlock, B Brogan; A Brogan, C Keaney, T Quinn


WESTMEATH G Connaughton; F Boyle, K Gavin, J Keane; M Ennis, D Heavin, D Healy; D O'Donoghue, D Duffy; F Wilson, J Smyth, D Harte; D Dolan, D Glennon, D Bannon


Ewan MacKenna