Former Mayo star Conor Mortimer believes the GAA made a "boo-boo" in fixing Dublin's Leinster SFC clash with Laois in Nowlan Park - but said that a cakewalk for the All-Ireland champions would be on the cards no matter where the game was played.
The Dubs begin their quest for an 11th provincial crown in 12 years on Saturday evening (live on RTÉ Radio 1 from 7pm, live tracker on RTÉ.ie), but the call to hold it in Kilkenny rather than O'Moore Park has drawn some criticism.
Laois manager Mick Lillis aired his frustration last month, and Mortimer agreed that it makes little sense.
“I think the GAA made a bit of a boo-boo to be honest," he told RTÉ 2fm's Game On.
"The Cat Laughs is on and I know a lot of Dublin people have struggled to get hotels, to get accommodation for going down for the weekend.
"It hasn’t sold out yet which they had expected it to. I don’t think it’s going to have a huge outcome on the game.
“If we’re to be downright honest they’ll give them a good hiding."
“It’ll be close for the first half, maybe the first ten minutes of the second half, but you’d imagine Dublin will pull away in the second half and win it well.
“If we’re to be downright honest they’ll give them a good hiding. You’re hoping that there’s a game in it, for the sake of the championship."
Jim Gavin's Sky Blues are loaded with so much quality that it's hard to look beyond them lifting Sam Maguire for a fourth time in six summers come September.
Mortimer highlighted their incredible strength in depth and said the desire top be part of their success is driving every single man on the panel to seize his chance when he gets it.
“The unfortunate thing for the teams Dublin play against, coming to the quarter-final, semi-final, is that the players they put out know that unless they turn it on they won’t play the next day," he added.
"The potential is in Dublin to win a Leinster, to win an All-Ireland. The players who aren’t on the pitch, you don’t feel as part of it. That’s why they put in so much graft when they do get their chance."
