Despite a growing dependency on Con O’Callaghan in the wake of high-profile retirements and departures, Peter Canavan still thinks Dublin are a step above the rest in Leinster.

The Dubs were far from their best against Wicklow last Sunday as they began life in the championship without stalwarts Brian Fenton, James McCarthy, Mick Fitzsimons, Paul Mannion and Jack McCaffrey. Afterwards, manager Dessie Farrell admitted that a repeat performance wouldn’t suffice in their quest for a 15th Leinster SFC title in-a-row.   

"When you see the calibre of player they are without at the minute, they are not at the level they were a few years ago,” Canavan told RTÉ.

"Against Tyrone, in their last league game, defensively there were questions asked of them. Wicklow scored 18 points against them on Sunday.

"Teams against them will go in thinking that maybe they can hurt them, but you always felt they had the ability against Wicklow to step it up when required.

"Against better opposition, if they didn’t have Con O’Callaghan on the field, then I would say the likes of Kildare and Meath would certainly feel that they could put it up to them and take them, but I still think there is a gulf in class there.

"Dublin are still a good bit ahead of the pack," the Tyrone legend added.

Tweet

Most Read Stories