The likely match-up between Derry defender Conor McCluskey and Dublin's Con O’Callaghan could have a huge say in the outcome of Saturday’s Allianz Football League clash at Celtic Park.
Mickey Harte’s side, All-Ireland semi-finalists the last two years and looking to push on, have started the year like they mean business with four wins from four in the league.
They welcome All-Ireland champions Dublin to town on Saturday night, who themselves served notice of where the bar is by dismantling Kerry last time out, with O’Callaghan helping himself to a hat-trick.
It makes for hugely anticipated encounter in early March, with the championship looming on the horizon.
"Derry probably have the four stronger performances overall, but Dublin's peak against Kerry is higher than anything Derry has produced," former Tyrone player Enda McGinley told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.
"Dublin were absolutely superb. This is the game of the year so far."
Last March, Brendan Rodgers struck an injury-time winner to edge out the Dubs at a packed Celtic Park, where a relatively subdued O'Callaghan was held to a point.
The powerful forward was in sublime form a month later, however, when a devastating second-half display saw Dessie Farrell's side land the Division 2 title on a 4-06 to 0-11 scoreline against the Ulster side.
The Cuala ace didn’t score on the day at Croke Park, but was the key creator in a man-of-the-match display, with McCluskey among those to struggle at the hands of the gifted forward, fouling O’Callaghan for the concession of a penalty.
The Magherafelt man ended the year with a maiden All-Star and is considered one of the best man-markers in the inter-county game. How he manages against O’Callaghan could be the determining factor in a game McGinley expects will be a tight contest.
"I would imagine Conor McCluskey will be assigned to him [O’Callaghan]," he said. "He’s been in superb form, one of those defenders that has been nullifying top forwards in the game.
"Con O’Callaghan is a massive, massive test. Any player like that, it’s partly about the supply coming in, it’s partly how deep Derry sit.
"They sat very deep last year and it cost them, particularly in the first half, so Derry will want to be confident and bring the game to them.
"O'Callaghan is almost unmarkable when he’s in that form, but for Derry, it gives Mickey Harte the perfect chance to try someone on him, to see how they match up.
"If they want to get to where they want to get to, in terms of an All-Ireland, they need to be able to shut down key forwards."
McGinley will be on commentary duties for the game live on RTÉ2, and while Derry were slow out of the blocks in last year’s league victory when Rory Gallagher was manager – they trailed 0-07 to 0-02 at the interval – he is expecting a slightly different approach from the home side under Harte’s guidance.
"Last year’s first half was really cagey, Derry sat back. I don’t expect them to do that. Obviously, they set up defensively, but they are brilliant at counter-attacking.
"I think Mickey Harte will be really going after the win as a statement."
The three-time All-Ireland winner says that Dublin’s commitment to high pressing is another contrasting dimension to the game, and thinks the end result may well be a narrow away victory.
"The balance of this game is set up perfectly, but I think Dublin will come through. The form last week is massive."
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Watch Derry v Dublin in the Allianz Football League on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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