Two competing strains of theatrical gesture and accompanying opinion doing the rounds in Dublin these last couple of weeks or so, writes Tom Humphries.
The first is a mopping of the brow followed by a swoon and the intonation of a southern plantation lady, oh my lawd, but that Graham Geraghty is a rough one. The second is a brisk and vigorous shaking of the head and the stentorian tons of a Baptist preacher, Lord that Dublin defence is so meek that it shall inherit the earth. In Mordor, as Dublin fans have taken to calling the county of Meath, either is bound to cause smirking.
In the tradition of Lyons, Harnan, McEntee et al, Graham Geraghty isn't so hard. In the absence not just of a Gandalf, but a Barr, a Heery, a Moran (Kevin or Paddy) and O'Driscoll an O'Neill or a Billings, Graham Geraghty knows he can be as hard as he wants to be. What Geraghty is is a good ball winner and a very skilful finisher. Tomorrow it's likely he will spend most of his time in around the full forward line with Stephen Bray coming out to wing forward. Meath's potency and options will worry Dublin.
In Cian Ward Meath have the perfect impact sub. All six Meath forwards will be looking out for the shepherd's hook when Ward warms up.
Meath can score. Can they defend if Dublin don't slow down after 20 minutes? Meath's cupboard is bare of defensive options. The expected absence of Darren Magee, brings Shane Ryan to midfield where he was Dublin's most effective player last summer. Ryan won't touch clouds but has the guts and intelligence to mop up lots of breaking stuff. He complements rather than replicates Ciarán Whelan's style. Meath will require a lot more from Nigel Crawford.
In good times Dublin have a cutting edge but in the absence of foragers like Sherlock and Bonner can they can afford to leave Quinn, Brogan and Keaney on the inside line with Connolly, Moran and Vaughan (two tyros and a more natural wing back) slogging in the field? Connolly's style would be more suited to picking up a few breaks in the corner rather than going headlong for hardball outside.
Dublin v Meath Croke Park Sunday, 4.15. On TV: RTÉ 1
