ALL-IRELAND UNDER-21 FOOTBALL FINAL:THE DUBLIN under-21 footballers' inaccuracy in last year's All-Ireland semi-final against eventual champions Cork cost them very dearly.

They lost by a point after shooting 16 wides. That galling defeat was largely exorcised by the manner in which they blitzed Roscommon early on in this year’s semi-final a fortnight ago.

But for many of them, tomorrow evening’s All-Ireland final up in Cavan against Donegal must still be about redemption.

Jim Gavin is back as manager but he refuses to compare the two teams despite a significant overlap.

“We never referred back to last year,” said Gavin this week. “It’s a different competition. We’ve a different group of players this year. It has no relevance, unlike senior where you’ve got probably the same group of players that you’d probably have worked with for the previous few years. We’ve very much a new team this year, so it doesn’t have any relevance to this year’s campaign.”

However, several of the players that trudged out of Semple Stadium after the Cork disaster are back.

Johnny Cooper, recently passed fit after shoulder damage, is leading the side from wing back. Cooper’s slight frame is offset by natural footballing instincts that allow him influence proceedings.

Dean Rock looks capable of eventually becoming a significant figure in the senior set-up. Ted Furman’s power in the inside forward line will be utilised much like Donegal will seek out Michael Murphy, despite the attentions of Rory O’Carroll, down the other end. Then there is Barry O’Rorke, David Quinn and Nicky Devereux all seeking to bring Dublin where they have not been since Alan Brogan’s class of 2003. A team that included Paul Griffin, Bryan Cullen and Conal Keaney.

An easy criticism of this Dublin group is they play, like many Dublin teams before them, in fits and spurts, on the presumption that goals will kill off their opponents and discipline will see them through periods of intense pressure. They did it against Roscommon, again at Breffni Park, the last day with 2-2 before the Connacht champions had settled.

And they did it in the Leinster final when Westmeath were reeling them ashore thanks to a late goal from Ciarán Dorney.

“Games go in cycles,” Gavin explained. “Sometimes you’re at the top of the wheel and sometimes you’re at the bottom. To try and get back up to the top is the secret and there’s a great work ethic among that group of players.

“You’re aiming for excellence in every game. That’s what we’re striving to do on the training field to bring that on to the pitch.

“If it happens on Saturday, great, but we’re playing against a very good Donegal side that has come through a tough Ulster campaign. . . they’ve probably come through the tougher side of the draw. They’ve played Tipperary who put Kerry to the sword in Munster.

So, to play our A game for the full 60 minutes, it’s going to be a big challenge . . If we’re going to have any chance of winning, we’re going to have to do that.”

Last year Dublin were being hailed as potential champions from a long way out. This time they stumbled through Leinster, only, as Cooper concedes, really finding their stride of late.

“In the first game against Louth we went to extra-time. I don’t know how we got out of there alive, to be honest, and same again against Carlow in the second game. And then Westmeath who had very high hopes . . the goal in the last couple of minutes gave us that cushion to push on and ultimately win the match.

“Against Roscommon in the semi-final . . . Ultimately those goals again gave us a cushion. We are counting our blessings, to be honest. But again we have shown great composure and resolve to stick to the game plan. We have very good players and very good forwards that really close out games if they are given a chance.”

Donegal v Dublin

THIS HAS been a strange under-21 championship. The minor champions in the cohort, Galway were knocked out early and Derry, who lost that 2007 All-Ireland minor final, followed at the hands of Donegal.

Dublin struggled through Leinster, needing late interventions in nearly all of the matches before reversing the approach and killing off Roscommon early in the All-Ireland semi-final.

They are a different sort of under-21 side.

Unlike the only previous team from the county to win this title, Dublin have no established senior stars but are a solid, resilient collective.

The Ulster champions on the other hand revolve around the shimmering talent of last year’s Young Footballer of the Year Michael Murphy but they have effectively played to that strength.

This should be a close encounter although the only form-line is Derry, who gave Dublin a sound beating in a challenge earlier in the year. Donegal however should shade it.

DUBLIN: V Whelan, E Culligan R O’Carroll, D Nelson, J Cooper, J McCarthy, N Devereux, S Murray C Mullins, M Coughlan, T Furman, G Sweeney, R McCarthy, D Rock C Dorney.

– Seán Moran