After comfortably accounting for Derry last weekend, Lee Keegan believes Dublin are again evolving into a formidable force, adding that a full-strength Dubs outfit would be "too far ahead" of a Derry outfit with their full complement on view.
There was much anticipation ahead of last Saturday's Division 1 league clash at Celtic Park. However, the teamsheet from Mickey Harte's side did temper things somewhat, with no Conor Glass in the squad. All told Harte made seven changes from the team that defeated Galway a week earlier.
The entirely new half-back line saw Shea Downey's return after a lengthy absence while Donncha Gilmore and Eunan Mulholland were making their first league starts.
Emmett Bradley came into midfield, and Niall Toner, Lachlan Murray, and Cormac Murphy started in attack.
Harte revealed afterwards that he wanted to give the likes of Conor Glass a rest, no doubt looking beyond the league and the quick arrival of the Ulster championship
As for the game itself, the All-Ireland champions, who are also short some regulars, always held the upper hand, winning by five points in the end.
Lee Keegan was impressed by what he saw from Dessie Farrell's side.
Speaking on the latest edition of the RTÉ GAA Podcast, the former Mayo star said: "Derry play this real hard-running style and Dublin were just happy to let them do that, not allowing them to plot and plan. The five-point victory was so comfortable.
"And the scary thing, you had no James McCarthy, you had no Stephen Cluxton, no Mick Fitzsimons, no Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion didn't play, neither did Colm Basquel. You are missing a host of players that could walk into any elite inter-county team."
More pointedly, the Westport clubman added that the Dubs have "given Kerry and Derry a bit of manners", alluding to the humbling Jack O'Connor's side suffered in Croke Park the weekend before last.
There is, of course, the possibility that Dublin and Derry could end up in a league final on Easter Sunday and after that another collision is possible in the white heat of championship.
Keegan, when asked what could transpire if both sides lined out at full-strength, was succinct in his reply.
"I think Dublin are too far ahead of Derry," he said.
"I really believe that. I don't know if Derry's gameplan has enough to evolve and beat Dublin. Dublin are so well equipped to deal with that running game. The way they are playing at the moment is scary in that they are playing such attacking football.
"I don't think Dublin have gotten the appreciation over the years for all their All-Irelands, some thought [their play] was quite conservative.
"They are playing now with a freedom. Even with Derry's full complement, Dublin are just too far ahead."
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