PREVIEW: Dublin v Donegal All-Ireland SFC Round 3

Dublin will look to build on last Sunday’s encouraging victory against Cavan, when they meet Donegal in their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 3 encounter at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon (1.15). 

That eleven-point success in Cavan was just reward for a dominant second-half showing but the Dubs are fully aware that they will need to improve again this weekend if they’re to advance to the quarter-finals. 

Despite creating a number of good goal chances, Dublin were restricted to a solitary Con O’Callaghan penalty in the dying minutes against Cavan and they will look to ensure they pierce the Donegal defence on Sunday in this do-or-die encounter.

Donegal fell to defeat to Cork at the weekend, having eased past Kerry in Killarney three weeks previously in Round 1.

Cork’s adherence to their defensive structure and patience in possession left Donegal frustrated, as the Rebels emerged victorious by 0-17 to 1-13. 

Jim McGuinness' side will relish a return to GAA HQ on Sunday and their collective pace can cause havoc for the best of teams. 

Dublin will be encouraged by their strong finish last Sunday and the return to the sideline of manager Ger Brennan is a hugely positive development for the team.

However, given the short turnaround, it would be optimistic to think that Brennan will have sufficient time to change tactics too drastically ahead of this weekend.

Con O’Callaghan’s match-winning contribution of 1-9 is another cause for encouragement and his expected battle with Donegal full-back Brendan McCole could go a long way to deciding the issue. 

Of course, having a full deck to choose from is crucial to Brennan and Dublin’s cause would only be helped by the availability of Seán Bugler and Cormac Costello, who were injured at the weekend, while Colm Basquel did enough from the bench in Breffni Park last weekend to concern the Donegal defence. 

Midfield will also be a crucial area this weekend and cool heads will be required around the middle third if Dublin are to gain a foothold in the game.

On what should be another thrilling weekend of championship action, Dublin enter Sunday’s clash as marginal underdogs but given the results over the past few weeks, be prepared to expect the unexpected at headquarters. 

For those unable to attend, the match will be shown live on RTE 1.