By Rory Houston - @RTESundayGame
Tony Hanahoe feels there is nothing for Dublin to fear in Sunday’s All-Ireland Football Championship final with Kerry on Sunday.
<notforsyndication>Watch live coverage of Dublin v Kerry on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (Island of Ireland) from 2.15pm on Sunday, 18 September</notforsyndication>
The three time All-Ireland winner, speaking at Vodafone’s preview event for the decider, has said he is “comfortable with Dublin’s position” going into the game.
Hanahoe stated: “Both teams will endeavour to use what is advantageous to them to the ultimate. They both have advantages for different reasons. The game doesn’t necessarily going according to plan.
“Even when you are the best team you need a bit of luck on the day and particularly in finals. Both teams have their worries too and their confidences.
“All the statistics will count for nothing. Dublin have been knocking on the door in the last two or three years. They were unlucky last year not to get to the final. Kerry were gone at the stage.
“I don’t particularly have any fear of the whole 15 or 20 Kerry players. Respect is a different thing. Achievement is a different thing. But on Sunday none of those things will count. It is a fresh start and a new team.
“There are different circumstances and none of those things will matter when a ball is thrown in on Sunday. I am comfortable with Dublin’s position.”
Hanahoe's loyalties are undeniable but he has hinted at a very tight battle on Sunday and a more open encounter.
“Pat Gilroy and his associates will have to provide for and have provided for the challenge on any given day. It is irrespective of the style or format that they face. There is no determining what they are going to be except I would anticipate it would be open game. It will be far more open than the semi-finals.
“This will be straight down to the Kerry team with their determination to win because the opposition is right and they have that determination anyway.
“Dublin are a young team that are maturing and hopefully the maturation might take place on Sunday and hopefully they might end up the winners.”
