It’s incredible how fast the landscape in team sport can change. One minute, you’re unquestionably the best team around, delivering success after success and seemingly destined to remain at the summit for years to come. The next, you’re looking over your shoulder as hungry challengers begin to close the gap and eventually pass you out.
It’s a script as old as time. The aura fades, the fear factor disappears and suddenly the invincibility that once seemed permanent is shown to be anything but.
The great Dublin team of the last decade – a group who hoovered up nine Sam Maguires from 2011 to 2023 under Pat Gilroy, Jim Gavin and Dessie Farrell – are widely regarded as the best to ever do it. A fact underlined by the Dubs achieving an unprecedented six-in-a-row.
On that basis, it’s mad how quickly things can change. Galway actually come into this weekend’s clash as favourites, and it is entirely rational that they do so. Pádraic Joyce’s men will carry the favourites tag on the back of a consistent body of work over recent seasons and a solid if unspectacular campaign up to this juncture, without setting the world alight.
This is, after all, a Dublin team who were beaten in the Leinster final by Westmeath and have now gone two years without a Leinster title. A drought, considering they won 14 in succession prior to being dethroned by Meath last year.
Add in a rocky league showing that culminated with relegation from the top tier and it’s fair to say life under new manager Ger Brennan hasn’t been a case of back to business for the boys in blue.
Dublin still dangerous
Nevertheless, almost out of nowhere, Dublin shocked the country last weekend when dumping out last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Donegal in Croke Park after extra-time. Donegal, after a bright opening half, could have few complaints as the men from the capital pulled off their biggest win of the Ger Brennan era.
Brennan's side seemed to grow in confidence as Sunday's game wore on with Con O'Callaghan, Paddy Small and Colm Basquel - who contributed 2-14 between them - producing the goods, while substitute Sean Guiden's four points in the first period of extra-time proved the difference. Ciaran Kilkenny, despite only finishing with one point to his name, was the orchestra conductor behind much of Dublin's attacking play.
That result sets up this weekend’s showdown, which is a repeat of a meeting between these two sides at this stage in 2024 where the Tribesmen won by a point before eventually succumbing to final defeat at the hands of Armagh. The sides also locked horns in 2025 when Dublin came out on top of their group stage clash in Pearse Stadium.
Adding further spice to this fixture is the fallout from the last meeting between the sides. Ger Brennan was handed a suspension following an altercation involving Galway strength and conditioning coach Cian Breathnach McGinn during the final round of the league in Salthill last March.
As a result, Brennan was handed a 12-week suspension, a sanction Dublin took all the way to the DRA (Dispute Resolution Authority ), where it was ultimately upheld. The Dublin boss was absent for the entirety of the side's Leinster Championship campaign and Dean Rock deputised for Brennan during that period.
Fresh legs matter
Last week’s exertions – a game going to extra-time in warm weather – surely leaves Galway in the box seat. Add in the injury-enforced withdrawal of Dublin’s key marksman Con O’Callaghan and things look brighter again.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that there is an argument Galway could be slightly undercooked, having faced only one Division 1 side in the championship — when they were beaten by Roscommon in the Connacht final. And they’ll almost certainly have to step it up several levels on anything we’ve seen to date.
But make no bones about it, Galway have the ability to get this done and they really should at this juncture given they had the luxury of putting their feet up last weekend and their sole focus will have been this tie since defeating Westmeath a couple of weeks ago.
Galway’s bench could have a huge role to play in this one, especially against tired Dublin legs. One wonders how far away Matthew Thompson is from fitness – someone who would be a key asset for the remainder of the championship in unlocking tough defences.
With Thompson, Shane Walsh, Rob Finnerty, Matthew Tierney and Damien Comer at their disposal, Galway possess the firepower to carry the day.
