Daunting test for Dublin

Leinster under-21 hurling final preview: Some good omens here for Dublin but more bad ones as they travel down to Carlow tonight attempting to bridge a 33-year gap and in turn emulate their minors' success.

Several ever-present senior players drive this quest, notably Ger O'Meara, Ronan Fallon and the Carton brothers, Michael and Peadar. Also, current Dublin football selector Dave Billings was in the team that last lifted the title in 1972 and his son Cathal is at left half back this evening.

This team represents the immediate future of Dublin hurling, presuming, of course, some don't plump for football, but that may not be enough.

Kilkenny do come in under-prepared with commitments to the senior and intermediate panels ensuring they have had only a handful of sessions with their full panel. One of their best players, James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, is out with a shoulder problem and the defence was a little shaky against Wexford in the semi-finals.

Before anyone starts tipping Dublin though two names must be considered, Richie Power and Eoin Larkin. They represent the immediate future of Kilkenny hurling, which is a more daunting prospect than what Dublin offer. Larkin mans the 40, Power is at full forward. They will both cause damage.

Kilkenny manager Adrian Finan - who led James Stephens to the All-Ireland club championship this year - has realigned the defence by naming Sean Cummins and Sean Maher in the corner and pushing Donncha Cody out to wing back. Along with Willie O'Dwyer, this is a platform for Cody to solidify a place in his father's senior panel.

Then there is the recent abysmal record of Dublin teams in Dr Cullen Park. Considering the ammunition at Kilkenny's disposal this looks set to continue. Staying in touch is essential for the rehabilitation process to continue in Dublin hurling.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; G O'Meara, C O'Brien, D O'Reilly; K Nolan, R Fallon, C Billings; M Carton, W Lowry; E Moran, T Sweeney, J Duffy; A McCrabbe, P Carton, A Glennon. Subs: S Lane, R Trainor, P Bergin, D Byrne, S Sullivan, S Mullen, G Morris, M Griffin, S Lehane.

KILKENNY: D Fogarty; S Maher, J Tennyson, S Cummins; J Dalton, PJ Delaney, D Cody; M Rice, E O'Gorman; W O'Dwyer, E Larkin, A Murphy; E Reid, R Power, D McCormack.