Wednesday March 29

EirGrid Leinster Under 21 Championship Final

Offaly v Dublin, O’Moore Park, 7.30pm

By Cian O'Connell

With four EirGrid Leinster Under 21 titles accumulated since 2012, Dublin are also hoping to claim a third provincial victory in a row at this level.

Dessie Farrell brings a talented team to Portlaoise with Con O’Callaghan the marquee forward in a promising attack.

Offaly, though, have taken huge encouragement from their victories over Wexford and Laois, but they know that Dublin represent a step-up in class.

Dublin forward Colm Basquel is relishing the chance to operate in another Leinster decider against determined and defiant opposition. “It is where you want to be, we are looking forward to it. Offaly are going to bring a big challenge, we are just focusing on getting a performance,” Basquel says.

“We played them at minor, it was a very intense game in the first half. They are going to bring a big following with them, they had good wins against Laois and Wexford. I think they had a slow start against Laois and still managed to win so they obviously have a lot of belief in their team.”

Basquel feels that Dublin are developing nicely following victories against Westmeath and Longford. “Our performance improved from the Westmeath game to the Longford game. We will be looking for more improvements going into the Offaly game,” Basquel remarks.

This crop of Dublin footballers carry significant expectation into every match, but Basquel doesn’t feel any burden.

“It is not something that we speak about, we just focus on performing, playing to our own standards,” Basquel comments. “It isn’t something we really talk about or think about.”

Dublin triumphed in Leinster last year, but they lost a gripping All Ireland Semi-Final to Mayo at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

It has been a hectic 18 months, packed with matches for UCD student and Ballyboden St Enda’s star Basquel, who is simply relishing the schedule. “There is a lot of commitment, but it is what you want. You want to be playing games, you want to be involved in all of the competitions, you want to have opportunities to win trophies. I've found it good, I've enjoyed it all so no complaints from me.”

Offaly, with former Athlone goalkeeper Paddy Dunican, Ciaran Farrell, and Adam Mahon impressing, will be keen to examine Dublin’s credentials.

Farrell has constructed a good footballing team with Eoin Murchan and the exciting Con O’Callaghan key performers. It will be interesting to see how Dublin deal with Offaly’s gutsy challenge.