Dublin may not be operating at the same level as they were in their pomp, but talk of a level playing field is fanciful according to Peter Canavan.
The Dubs are bidding for a 15th successive provincial title and opened their championship account with a hard-fought win over Wicklow at Aughrim.
With the likes of James McCarthy, Brian Fenton, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey no longer part of the panel, manager Dessie Farrell is managing a period of personnel transition.
Theo Clancy, Conor Tyrrell, James Madden, Nathan Doran and goalkeeper Hugh O'Sullivan (pictured below) – the fourth player to appear between the posts for the Dubs this year - all made their championship bows in an unconvincing victory.
While John Small, Cormac Costello and Eoin Murchan are to come back in, and Lee Gannon a long-term injury absentee, there is a feeling that Dublin’s invincibility in Leinster is under threat, something Farrell alluded to post-match.
However, with captain Con O’Callaghan still the focal point of their attack, former Tyrone player Canavan doesn’t believe Dublin colours will be lowered anytime soon at provincial level.
"Wishful thinking," was his response on the RTÉ GAA podcast when it was suggested there could be a rejuvenation in the race for the Delaney Cup.
"When you see the calibre of player they are without at the minute, they are not at the level they were a few years ago.
"Against Tyrone, in their last league game, defensively there were questions asked of them. Wicklow scored 18 points against them on Sunday.
"Teams against them will go in thinking that maybe they can hurt them, but you always felt they had the ability against Wicklow to step it up when required.
"Against better opposition, if they didn’t have Con O’Callaghan on the field, then I would say the likes of Kildare and Meath would certainly feel that they could put it up to them and take them, but I still think there is a gulf in class there.
"Dublin are still a good bit ahead of the pack."
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