Was the drawn match further proof that Birr are in decline and that Castletown are rising to close the gap between the clubs? Or was it like the drawn All-Ireland of 1995 when Birr tore Dunloy apart in the replay, having set aside some wretched form the first day?

More than anything at this time of the year, this will be a battle of two sound and efficient defences. The most striking statistic from a fortnight ago was the failure of Birr's forwards to register more than a solitary point. They were bailed out by Stephen Brown's four points from centrefield and the reliability under pressure of Brian Whelahan's free taking.

Otherwise, it was a bit of a disaster for the Offaly champions. Missing their captain Simon Whelahan who hasn't yet recovered from injury, Birr struggled and hit nine first-half wides, a further rash of them just after the break and overall, squandered four good goal chances.

Castletown weren't blameless in this regard and David Cuddy had the chance to break the momentum of Birr's comeback but he missed a 35-metre free.

Neither of the Hannify brothers had the best of days, with Rory eventually doing better in a swap with Barry Whelahan and Gary Hannify having something of a nightmare.

Very much in their favour is the strength of the defensive spine with Brian Whelahan and Joe Errity firmly in command.

The psychological knock Castletown took was twofold. They just got caught at the end, leaving the favourites extremely relieved men and two, having put it up to Birr by building a seven-point lead early in the second half, they contrived not to score again.

In the run-up to the replay, they'll need to have acquired the mental strength to block out nagging feelings that their chance has gone, the suspicion being that Birr aren't going to squander as much this time around.

Yet with the Cuddys, Paul and Cyril, anchoring their own defence efficiently and David Cuddy doing well at centrefield, the material is there to launch another decent challenge. But on the basis of the team with the most room for improvement being favoured in replays, this looks like Birr's fifth Leinster title - despite reservations about the toll time is taking on one of the great club sides.