1. The widening gap between Dublin and Kildare
Four years ago Dublin and Kildare produced a classic Leinster final which finished 2-15 to 0-18 in Dublin’s favour. In 2011 Kildare had cut the gap to a point and only lost out by 1-12 to 1-11 against Dublin.
Yet yesterday the gulf on the scoreboard between the sides had stretched out to 16 points — Dublin’s biggest championship win over Kildare since 1897. Dublin’s late flurry of scores added some gloss to their victory yet the superiority they exerted was undeniable.
The chasm that has grown between the sides is a reflection of the strides Dublin have made in developing a powerful and physical challenge, parachuting gifted youngsters like Jack McCaffrey, Ciarán Kilkenny and Paul Mannion into their team, and the resources they have to invest in their set-up.
For Kildare there is the alarming realisation that they have regressed and are no longer a heavyweight at the same level of Dublin. Instead they look to have slipped back into the rest of the pack in Leinster that are chasing Dublin.
2. The influence of Graham Reilly for Meath
Michael Newman may have top scored as he popped over nine points from frees, Joe Sheridan may have been sprung from the bench and Eamonn Wallace may be the speedster who catches the eye.
But Meath’s attack yesterday was defined by Graham Reilly who demonstrated how influential he is for the Royals.
While he had his hands full at times in combating Wexford’s Brian Malone, Reilly grew to become a dominant player in the game. He popped over four points from play and inserted the bit of class and pace in the finale that helped Meath pull clear and differentiate between the teams.
3. Dublin’s range of offensive options
A few years ago Dublin’s scoring challenge revolved around Bernard Brogan and their creativity had Alan Brogan at his hub. Yesterday Bernard was whipped off during the second-half after registering 1-1 while Alan continues his recovery from injury. Neither have gone away and they will still be vital to Dublin’s future prospects in 2013. But Dublin are no longer reliant on them.
Ciarán Kilkenny and Paul Mannion hit 1-5 between them yesterday. Paddy Andrews was quiet but has had a fine season. Diarmuid Connolly and Paul Flynn are the launchpad for plenty attacks. Eoghan O’Gara and Dean Rock offered reminders that they are still around with cameos from the bench. Ultimately look a more rounded proposition up front.
Wexford’s Ben Brosnan reacts after missing a free. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
4. Wexford left to rue first-half showing
At times in the opening period of yesterday’s first Leinster semi-final, Wexford looked capable of ripping Meath apart. Wing-backs Brian Malone and Adrian Flynn were rampaging forward, Dáithí Waters was controlling midfield and Ciarán Lyng was pulling the strings in their forward line. They had great room to operate and were 0-8 to 0-4 clear at one juncture. But Meath tagged on three points before the break and for all their control, Wexford’s interval lead was slender.
And they were left to rue not capitalising on that dominance after the break as Meath gained parity at midfield, shored up their defence and drew the fouls which lead to frees that Michael Newman relentlessly converted.
Kildare’s manager Kieran McGeeney and manager Jim Gavin of Dublin after the game. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
5. Old foes to clash in Leinster decider
For the second successive year Dublin will face Meath in a Leinster senior football final. It’s a pairing that has a traditional ring to it and the old tales of their previous showdowns — they clashed in 10 deciders between 1984 and 1999 — will no doubt be recycle before 14 July.
Yet the more pressing issue will be what sort of contest unfolds.
The key realisation yesterday in Croke Park was the vast difference in the levels of intensity and quality served up in the two games. It’s hard to see Dublin being halted in their drive for provincial honours and plotting how to bridge that gap is the key task facing Meath boss Mick O’Dowd over the next fortnight.
