Dublin can confound the critics and get past Louth in this weekend's Leinster SFC semi-final, but only by taking the game to the provincial holders and introducing a bit of "madness" to their approach.
That’s the view of seven-time All-Ireland winner Brian Fenton, who admits that there is both excitement and nervousness within the county as the team head to Portlaoise on Sunday.
Fenton, who never lost a championship game in Leinster during his 10 years in blue, admits it is strange to see Dublin enter a provincial semi-final as anything other than strong favourites, but the form line this year doesn’t paint a bright picture.
Shorn the likes of Stephen Cluxton and John Small, and the fact that Jack McCaffrey, Paul Mannion and indeed Fenton himself chose not to return, new manager Ger Brennan was in experimental mode during a league campaign that ended in relegation.
To compound matters, Brennan was served with a 12-week ban for his involvement in a fracas with Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn during Dublin's league defeat to Galway.
Dean Rock was in charge for the nervy two-point win over Wicklow in their Leinster opener, a performance that did little to dispel the notion that the Boys in Blue are set for a period of transition after the glory days of Jim Gavin and Dessie Farrell.
Speaking on this week’s RTÉ GAA podcast, Fenton urged the supporters to rally behind their team with a Leinster final date on offer.
"It’s unheard of territory for a Dublin team going into a Leinster semi-final," he said.
"They’re probably going to Portlaoise with demons of last year and being beaten by Meath in a semi-final.
"It’s one (feeling in Dublin) of maybe nervousness and fear, but on the flip side of that, there is excitement that we could prove people wrong, do it for Ger and get to a Leinster final.
"Louth will travel in numbers. You’re hoping, as a Dublin fan, that the Dublin fans get behind them as well. There really is a great cohort of Dublin supporters that travel to every game, but that second phase of Dublin fan has I think has dropped off a little bit.
"You really hope they start to believe again in this because it is going to be exciting."
Former Westmeath star Dessie Dolan agreed that it is a sign of the times that Dublin are coming into the game with such low expectations, and says the fitness of Con O’Callaghan, who hobbled off the field against the Garden County, could determine their fate.
"There is so much uncharted territory with Dublin at the minute. It’s fascinating in a way, and fascinating for everyone else in the province to see their demise to a certain degree.
"Ger’s absence doesn’t inspire confidence and the injuries have been mounting. Con O’Callaghan is the glue of the whole team. He’s the fulcrum. If he is 100% fit, I think Dublin are in the Leinster final. If he’s not, I have Louth as favourites."
Fenton is hopeful that an all-action display from Dublin could invigorate their season, starting with a display of strength from his working environment in the middle of the pitch.
"Louth have some beasts in that midfield area," the Raheny man said. "Wicklow went long with a lot of kick-outs and Dublin struggled, so I think Louth will target that.
"Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne is very important in that area. If we can get Ciarán Kilkenny back on the pitch, a big bulk of a man who will compete as well.
"Dublin need to throw off the shackles this weekend, show a bit of madness, show fight and aggression and bring the game to Louth.
"Louth will want to play a controlled, defensive-based game, get you into alleys and turn you over and get momentum that way. If Dublin throw caution to the wind here and go at it, I think there will be a lot to be said for it."
Listen to the RTÉ GAA Podcast on the RTÉ Radio Player, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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