Until their one point defeat to Tyrone last night, Dublin had started the Allianz League like a high speed train, winning four from four in dominant fashion.

With their big names and strength in depth, the Dubs will still be one of the prime favourites for Sam Maguire this summer. But the league is a peculiar beast and is often not a reliable gauge for championship success.

Cork have arguably been the most consistent football team in the country in recent years, winning three Allianz League titles in a row (2010, 2011 and 2012), although they did lose at least two games at the league stage of each campaign before turning on the style in the semi-finals and finals.

But that three year run for the Rebels only translated into a single successful tilt at Sam in 2010. However that championship campaign saw Conor Counihan’s men lose out in the Munster semis and advanced to the hallowed trophy via narrow one point wins over Dublin in the last four and Down in a tense final.

Traditionally only one in four league champions have gone on to win the All Ireland title in the same year, although five of those have occurred in the past decade (Tyrone in 2003; Kerry in 2004, 2006 and 2009; and Cork in 2010).

Talent pool

But Tyrone and Kerry in the period between 2003 and 2009 were far and away the best teams in the country regularly winning provincial crowns and generally in attendance in the dying embers of each championship season with extravagantly talented pools of players - which made it easier for them to become dominant forces in all competitions. For all their consistency and talent, Cork were not really at that level even between 2010 and 2012.

And it is too early in Dublin's development under Jim Gavin to make a case one way or another.

In contrast Donegal’s recent summer success and the much vaunted ‘system’ have not translated into league form. But it is a fairly open secret that Jim McGuinness sees the Allianz League primarily as a platform for experimentation – something which has worked out for the Ulster men.

But on closer inspection, Dublin have been a force in the league this season despite the fact that an bainisteoir Jim Gavin has experimented and given youth a chance after his own successes as coach of recent All Ireland U21 winning teams.

But the Tyrone defeat will have dented a little bit of the optimism built up over the previous four fixtures. Consistency is king in the league but a one-off defeat or single below par performance can spell the end of a championship campaign where big game pedigree counts.

However you would think that they would have the Leinster championship sown up, having won seven of the last eight Jack Delaney Cup’s, although Kildare – who they beat convincingly last weekend – will be a threat.

Beyond the provincial deciders, Gavin’s planning will also take the usual suspects into account. That will be the true challenge and the league is not a key arbiter when it comes to pinpointing championship challengers.

Based on their championship pedigree under McGuinness, Donegal will be there or thereabouts regardless of league form, while Mayo should not be discounted despite indifferent league form. Cork and  a resurgent Tyrone who have won four out of five Division 1 games will also be dangerous when the first leaves of summer break out of the buds.

 

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne