Dublin senior hurling may be tired and flat, but the Colleges side gave the county a major boost last weekend when they defeated All-Ireland champions and overwhelming favourites St Kieran's of Kilkenny. And the way they won - recovering from a seven-point deficit in the first half - is just one indication of how far they have come since amalgamating seven years ago.

Team coach Colm Mac Sealaigh has talked about a new-found focus and confidence in the team, and now that they are in a strong position to actually win a trophy, those factors will be even more potent this afternoon.

Good Counsel, last year's beaten semi-finalists in Leinster, managed to avert an upset in their semi-final and eventually got past Cistercian, Roscrea, despite a succession of first-half wides. But with the momentum now very firmly with Dublin Colleges, further progression should be stalled.