For all the frequent disjunction between league and championship, the NFL just concluded presents a faithful snapshot of Leinster football at this point in time. Counties from the province won every divisional title, second, third and fourth, apart from the top prize, and the only two Leinster teams in Division One were relegated.
Laois and Kildare have since been replaced by Dublin and Westmeath but the image is starkly clear: for all its competitive depth at lower levels of the game, Leinster is desperately short of top class contenders.
Nor is that just a spring distortion; the championship statistics dolefully corroborate the story. Only once, back in the 1930s, has the province gone longer without an All-Ireland title. No Leinster county got its hands on Sam Maguire that decade, the lean spell lasting from Kildare's 1928 win until 1942, when Dublin scored what would be the province's only success until 1949.
This summer will be the ninth since Leinster housed the trophy and the decade is just two seasons away from proving as barren as the 1930s. Since Meath's win in 1999 the province has become more open and competitive - featuring historic titles for Laois and Westmeath - but it has drifted badly in national terms, to the point where the province's representatives are now back markers in the All-Ireland series.
Last year threatened a revival when, for the first time since the qualifier system was introduced seven years ago, two Leinster counties reached the All-Ireland semi-finals - but both Dublin and Meath were defeated.
That helped refuel optimism from earlier last summer, when the counties' replayed provincial first round twice filled Croke Park, that a revived Meath challenge would raise the stakes for Dublin and drive up the standard in Leinster.
The evidence is the Meath matches last year may well have helped temper the provincial champions in some early-season fire. Last August Dublin came closer to the All-Ireland standard than at any stage since 2002, running Kerry all the way to the full-time whistle.
Ironically, given such hopes, the Dublin-Meath rivalry has only recently degenerated into something a lot less constructive, and although the championship will be the testing ground, Meath haven't had a great league campaign and all the old doubts about Dublin persist.
Paul Caffrey's team have been in the lonely position of carrying the Leinster banner almost single- handed and will be pushing for a fourth successive provincial title. No Dublin team has previously put together such a sequence without it including an All-Ireland. But the immediate concern will be to maintain their grip on the provincial title. The champions must face Louth without the suspended Ciarán Whelan and Bernard Brogan, and if Eamonn McEneaney's team are another to have experienced a mediocre League, Dublin know from two years ago in Longford you can never be certain in a first round.
The conundrum for Leinster is that while the province has had its most egalitarian decade since the 1940s, with five counties to date having won the title, it is also on course for its least successful since the 1930s. Unfortunately, the two phenomena don't look unconnected.
Laois's Liam O'Neill, runner-up in last month's presidential election, joined the dots when speaking to this newspaper at the end of his term of office as Leinster Council chair.
"If you look at the euphoria those wins generated," he said, "it was such a big deal that there was nothing left in the tank. Counties like Laois and Westmeath don't have the reserves to sustain that sort of success. As well as that, both went mad over underage achievement, and when the whole focus goes on that, the senior side suffers.
"If winning All-Irelands was our only focus we'd target Offaly, Meath, Dublin and Kildare. As it is we spread the butter thinly and spend more per player in Longford and Laois than in the other counties.We have developmental responsibilities.
That's our brief - to maximise the playing potential in every county. Our success is our failure, if you want to call it that."
When the draw was made it looked as if Dublin had pulled the easier side but the re-emergence of Westmeath during the NFL and the county's defeat of Dublin in the Division Two final has revised opinions in relation to Tomás Ó Flatharta's team. An excellent defence and a centrefield that, with Martin Flanagan on form, will live with most opposing units form the foundations of a team that also has Dessie Dolan and Denis Glennon backboning a useful attack.
Even at full strength, Dublin would have to play well to be sure of winning any such meeting.
At the time of writing the outcome of Westmeath's opener with Longford is unknown and Ó Flatharta won't have needed reminding that the same fixture went disastrously wrong a year ago.
Colm Coyle can argue Meath, as they did a year ago, finished the League better than they started it and had to cope with a plague of injuries this spring. Restored to full strength, and operating on the basis that Coyle got the championship right last year, the county has good attacking potential in Shane O'Rourke, Brian Farrell and All Star Stephen Bray, last year's top championship scorer from play.
On Meath's side of the draw the relegated neighbours of Kildare and Laois have problems but Kieran McGeeney's arrival plus the exploits of the county's under-21s leave the former more upbeat about the future than Liam Kearns's team, which has serially underachieved since winning Leinster five years ago and earlier this season had to cope with the distraction of on-off retirements from the former All Stars Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly.
Sharing Westmeath's experience as the prov-ince's most surprising beneficiaries of the league campaign were Wexford. Under the guidance of the game's youngest manager, Jason Ryan, the county went through Division Three unbeaten and staged a fine performance in the final, outscoring Fermanagh in extra time. Wexford have reached the last four Leinster semi-finals, losing all of them but competitively. A strong panel and the indisputable stardust of Matty Forde notwithstanding, a question mark remains over their ability to cut it at the top level, even within Leinster.
Dublin are the justified favourites but there are concerns about the team. Internally they may resent the massive publicity surrounding the Parnell Park melee but reservations about their composure and discipline are valid.
Their defence's capacity to get tight on topclass forwards is unproven and the ultimate defeats - even some victories such as last season's against Derry and Paddy Bradley - of the past few years have involved the failure to rein in the oppositions' form forwards (Owen Mulligan, Ciarán McDonald and Declan O'Sullivan).
In the Division Two final the reliance on Jason Sherlock, heading into his 14th championship, was stark. Even with the Brogans to return, Sherlock remains the calmest orchestrator in attack, particularly in crisis periods of matches.
On the positive side, the narrowness of the defeat to Kerry proved that for the first time since Caffrey started to restore the team's presence Dublin were capable of going toe to toe with the best team in the championship and matching the intensity and pace demanded at the very top of the game. Further improvement is needed but they remain the best team in the province.
County Guide: Ian O'Riordan
CARLOW
You'd wonder sometimes what Carlow have done to deserve their fate of recent years. There were hopes of progress from Division Four of the league, and although they won half of their eight games, they ended with only Kilkenny and London below them. An early exit to Meath beckons, but at least next year they'll have the qualifiers to look forward to.
IF CARLOW WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere (The Basement Tapes), Includes the line: "Morning came and morning went, Pick up your money, And pack up your tent, You ain't goin' nowhere."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Lost to Wexford; Beat Offaly; Lost to Limerick 2006: Beat Wicklow; Lost to Laois; Lost to Meath 2007: Lost to Offaly
DUBLIN
The idea that most teams need to lose an All-Ireland final before they win one is a worry. Are they still going up the hill, or over it? Retaining Leinster title will be their priority.
IF DUBLIN WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Blowin' in the Wind (The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan) Includes the lines: " How many roads must a man walk down, Before you call him a man? Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail, Before she sleeps in the sand? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Beat Longford; Beat Meath; Beat Wexford; Beat Laois; Drew Tyrone; Lost Tyrone 2006: Beat Longford; Beat Laois; Beat Offaly; Beat Westmeath; Lost Mayo 2007: Drew Meath; Beat Meath; Beat Offaly; Beat Laois; Beat Derry; Lost Kerry
KILDARE
It was always going to take a while for the Kieran McGeeney factor to kick in, but relegation from Division One, with only one win from seven games, fell below the minimum expectations. They should overcome Wicklow, before a tense quarter-final against Laois will make or break their summer.
IF KILDARE WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Nothing Was Delivered (The Basement Tapes) Includes the lines: " Nothing was delivered, And I tell this truth to you, Not out of spite or anger, But simply because it's true."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Beat Wicklow; Beat Westmeath; Lost to Laois; Lost to Sligo 2006: Lost to Offaly; Beat Cavan; Lost to Derry 2007: Lost to Meath; Beat Roscommon; Lost to Louth
LAOIS
Laois seem to in obvious decline over the last 12 months. The return of Tom Kelly and Joe Higgins couldn't prevent relegation from Division One, without a single victory. The heights of 2003 seem a long, long time ago.
IF LAOIS WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Foot of Pride (from The Bootleg Series Vols 1-3) Includes the lines: "You know what they say about bein' nice to the right people on the way up, Sooner or later you gonna meet them comin' down."
Last 3 Championship seasons:2005: Beat Offaly; Beat Kildare; Lost to Dublin; Beat Derry; Lost to Armagh 2006: Beat Carlow; Lost to Dublin; Beat Tyrone; Beat Meath; Beat Offaly; Drew with Mayo, Lost to Mayo 2007: Beat Longford; Beat Wexford; Lost to Dublin; Lost to Derry
LONGFORD
There are few more committed sides in the country, and yet despite an encouraging start to the season, promotion from Division Three proved well beyond them. The backdoor route does suit this team - remember 2004 - yet the signs aren't great with regards to progress this time.
IF LONGFORD WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
I Am a Lonesome Hobo (from John Wesley Harding) Includes the lines: "Stay free of petty jealousies, Live by no man's code, And hold your judgement for yourself, Lest you wind up on this road."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Lost to Dublin; Lost to Sligo 2006: Lost to Dublin; Beat Waterford; Beat Tipperary; Beat Derry; Lost to Kerry 2007: Beat Westmeath; Lost to Laois; Lost to Westmeath
LOUTH
Despite their best efforts, Louth still struggle to make the jump to the next level. League form was typically inconsistent, and with Dublin waiting in Croke Park, it's the qualifier route that beckons once more.
IF LOUTH WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Blonde on Blonde) Includes the lines: "They'll stone you and then say you are brave, They'll stone you when you are set down in the grave, But I would not feel so all alone, Everybody must get stoned."
Last 3 Championship seasons2005: Lost to Offaly; Beat Waterford; Beat Roscommon; Lost to Monaghan 2006: Lost to Meath; Drew with Tyrone; Lost to Tyrone 2007: Drew with Wicklow; Drew with Wicklow; Beat Wicklow; Lost to Wexford; Beat Limerick; Beat Kildare; Lost to Cork
MEATH
The suspensions arising from the Parnell Park melee could dent their hopes. They should beat Carlow but it still leaves them with a weakened team for the tricky quarter-final clash against Wexford.
IF MEATH WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Hurricane (Desire) Includes the lines: "Rubin could take a man out with just one punch, But he never did like to talk about it all that much, It's my work, he'd say, and I do it for pay, And when it's over I'd just as soon go on my way."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Lost to Dublin; Beat Antrim; Beat Leitrim; Lost to Cavan 2006: Beat Louth; Lost to Wexford; Beat Carlow; Beat Roscommon; Lost to Laois 2007: Beat Kildare; Drew Dublin; Lost to Dublin; Beat Down; Beat Fermanagh; Beat Galway; Beat Tyrone; Lost to Cork
OFFALY
Been a rough few years for the proud Midlanders, despite the making the Leinster final in 2006. They appear to have regained some consistency, proven by winning the Division Four title, but they certainly won't be thinking beyond their quarter-final date with either Westmeath or Longford.
IF OFFALY WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Like a Rolling Stone (Highway 61 Revisited) Includes the lines: "Now you don't talk so loud, Now you don't seem so proud, About having to be scrounging around for your next meal."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Beat Louth; Lost to Laois; Lost to Carlow 2006: Beat Westmeath; Beat Kildare; Beat Wexford; Lost to Dublin; Lost to Laois 2007: Beat Carlow; Lost to Dublin
WESTMEATH
If there were to be a prize for the most improved team of 2008 so far it would have to go to Westmeath. Steady progress through Division Two culminated with a fine title win over Dublin. This is a team few will fancy meeting this summer, particularly in Leinster.
IF WESTMEATH WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Licence to Kill (Infidels) Includes the lines: "Ya may be a noisebreaker, spirit maker, Heartbreaker, backbreaker, Leave no stone unturned, May be an actor in a plot, That might be all that you got."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Lost to Kildare; Beat Tipperary; Lost to Clare 2006: Lost Offaly; Beat London; Beat Limerick; Beat Sligo; Beat Galway; Lost to Dublin 2007: Lost to Longford; Beat Longford; Lost to Donegal
WEXFORD
Something wasn't right in the Wexford camp last year, but harmony has been restored and so too has progress. Winning the Division Three title capped off a fine league campaign and if it is a weakened Meath team they meet in the quarter-final they'll fancy their chances.
IF WEXFORD WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Brownsville Girl (Knocked Out Loaded) Includes the lines: "Strange how people who suffer together have stronger connections than people who are most content, I don't have any regrets, they can talk about me plenty when I'm gone."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Beat Carlow; Lost to Dublin; Lost to Monaghan 2006: Beat Meath; Lost to Offaly; Beat Monaghan; Lost to Fermanagh 2007: Beat Louth; Lost to Laois; Lost to Fermanagh
WICKLOW
The novelty of Mick O'Dwyer as headmaster was always going to wear off a little after the first year, and Wicklow's inconsistent league form reflected that. They'll be motivated for the meeting with Kildare, but that elusive provincial title seems as dreamy a prospect as ever.
IF WICKLOW WERE A BOB DYLAN SONG...
Time Passes Slowly (New Morning) Includes the line: "Time passes slowly up here in the mountains, We sit beside bridges and walk beside fountains, Catch the wild fishes that float through the stream, Time passes slowly when you're lost in a dream."
Last 3 Championship seasons: 2005: Lost to Kildare; Lost to Donegal 2006: Lost to Carlow; Lost to Monaghan 2007: Drew with Louth; Drew with Louth; Lost to Louth
