GAA:THIS SUNDAY'S Leinster hurling final at Croke Park represents a crossroads for the dominant team of the modern era. If Dublin overcome Kilkenny – for the third time this year – it would be the fourth successive defeat in a final for Brian Cody's team, following last year's All-Ireland, February's Walsh Cup and last April's National League decider.

“I think Kilkenny are a little bit wary,” said Derek Lyng during yesterday’s “Guinness Hurling Greats” launch in Dublin. “Before, a lot of people in Kilkenny would take it for granted that we would win (Leinster) and make the All-Ireland semi-final. Players don’t do that, but people around you tend to. People are still optimistic, but you definitely would have to be a little bit worried.”

Lyng retired after last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary with six Celtic Crosses, two All Stars (2002 and 2003) and eight Leinster titles to show for 10 seasons at the elite end of his sport.

It leaves him ideally placed to comment on Dublin’s attempt to deny Kilkenny men a seventh successive provincial crown. The only one that got away this century was after defeat to Wexford in the 2004 semi-final.

“I think it’s going to be interesting, two big, physical teams, well able to hurl. Dublin aren’t going to lie down, they obviously have a great team spirit. You can tell how much it means to them. You can’t really buy that spirit. I think you get that from winning a few things as they have done.”

Lyng, 33 next Monday, struggled with a hip problem these past few seasons. “It was just getting to the stage, with injections and tablets and everything else, that at some point you have to say ‘enough is enough’. The body isn’t up to it anymore, I suppose, and I had to make that decision over the winter. To be honest, I was spending more time on treatment tables than the playing pitch and it was taking the enjoyment away from me personally.”

Considering Henry Shefflin is only seven months younger than Lyng, and has been slaving on the same treadmill for two years longer, there is a lingering concern that recurring knee problems will take its toll on the greatest hurler of the generation. Lyng flatly disagrees.

“I wouldn’t have any doubts about him. I know the fella, I know what he’s about. You don’t get any more mentally tougher than Henry, he’s done it before. I was down in Wexford Park looking at him, I thought his movement a few times was really good. The first game was obviously going to be really hard for him because mentally, more than anything, you just need to get that 70 minutes over and be able to walk off the pitch.

“He scored a few points from play, put over a few frees and set up a few things, I was happy with him. The last few weeks have been a great help for him, a couple of hard weeks training as well. There’ll be no holding back on Henry on Sunday.”

The point is teased out with the suggestion Shefflin hurled within himself against Wexford. “I thought if it was anyone else that played at wing forward that day and did what Henry did you’d be happy with their performance.”

Granted, the Kilkenny panel is evolving, but similar external concerns about this group have been expressed in the past. The response, Lyng explains, has always been emphatic.

“In 2004 we were beaten by Wexford and we managed to get back through the back door. We were written off that year. I remember going into a Galway game in the qualifiers and Galway would have been favourites for it even though we were still All-Ireland champions. We probably gave one of our best performances of those years that year in Thurles, we were able to turn it around. And we just came up short against a great Cork team.

“Maybe we played a game too many but, you know, after 2005 we probably would have been written off as well and came back in 2006 and won it. Sometimes it can galvanise a team when you get a bit of criticism, and Kilkenny would have got a bit of that after the league final from inside and outside the county. They have a good bit of work done since then.”

OUTSIDE VIEW PLAYERS' VERDICT

Tony Browne (Waterford)

“Hard one to call. It reminds me of the time when Limerick beat us in 2007 (All-Ireland semi-final). It’s very hard to beat the same team twice in the one year so – even though Dublin are going so well, and they’re a very, very good team – I think Kilkenny will be up for this game.

“I think Kilkenny’s performances all year are probably down to the fact that they’re trying to peak at a certain time. I could be wrong, I don’t know, but at the same time they had five or six huge players out during the league, and if they’re back fit Kilkenny are going to have a big say in the championship this year.”

Lar Corbett (Tipperary)

“It is the first time in a long time people are really questioning Kilkenny’s character. A great position for Kilkenny to be in. They haven’t had their full-strength team out all year, but they have it on Sunday.

“For the first time in Leinster in a long time we don’t know who is going to win or what is going to happen on the day.

“It is dangerous that people are saying Kilkenny are coming down a notch. They were in last year’s All-Ireland final and they got into the league final. Like, they are still in every final, so I can’t figure out where people think they are coming back. They are still a super team. You can’t underestimate them no matter what. Plenty of teams have perished thinking that.

“I think it adds a bit more spice to the whole championship that a few other teams are stepping up. Every time Dublin go out they are getting 20-odd points, they have no fear, their work rate is unreal.

“All the talk used to be about Dublin in 10 years’ time, the structures were being put in place, but what they said is coming true.”