St Vincent's trio on a roll

DUBLIN TEAM: THERE IS no downside for Dublin football with St Vincent's progressing to the All-Ireland club final on St Patrick's Day where they will face 2003 winners, and dominant Cork champions Nemo Rangers.

That is, unless, you are part of the Dublin management and are trying to mould a team for another tilt at an All-Ireland title. They play Division Two opponents Cavan in Breffni Park on Saturday night in round three of the National League with no sign of Tomás Quinn or Ger Brennan - so important to the return of St Vincent's to the club final for the first time in 32 years - rejoining the panel. Diarmuid Connolly is another sure to be given a chance at breaking into the Dublin team once club duties are over.

"Playing at that standard of football is always a good position to be in," said Dublin selector Brian Talty. "It shouldn't be detrimental to their chances of breaking into the Dublin team."

The only issue is all three mentioned players featured for Dublin last season in the league or early in the championship before being dropped. Their form since at club level suggests a dramatic improvement. "The St Vincent's lads have to remain focused on winning that All-Ireland. That is all that should matter to them at present."

Dublin expect to welcome Mark Vaughan back at least to the replacements' bench for Saturday. He has been playing for DIT in the Sigerson Cup, but veteran midfielder Ciarán Whelan, while back in training, is expected to be held off for another couple of weeks.

Paul Brogan remains the only long-term casualty after sustaining cruciate knee damage just weeks after breaking into the panel alongside his brothers, Alan and Bernard.

The Cork footballers played their first game of the season last Sunday when they defeated Wexford in a challenge 2-6 to 0-8. New manager Conor Counihan must plan without the Nemo players, James Masters and Derek Kavanagh in particular, until mid-March. They make a belated start to the league in Kiltoom against Roscommon on Sunday.