"Once we go and perform and give a good account of ourselves, which I expect we will do, then I'll be proud of our lads and that's the most important thing."

They're the words of Longford manager Jack Sheedy ahead of tomorrow's David versus Goliath clash in Croke Park.

Sheedy goes head-to-head with his former Dublin team-mate Jim Gavin who is aiming to lead the Metropolitans to a 10th Delaney Cup success in 11 years.

Since taking over from Pat Gilroy, Gavin has guided the Dubs to three League titles, two Leinster Championships and one All-Ireland and this week it was announced that he will continue in the hot-seat until 2017, at least, regardless of what happens on the field of play during the summer months.

He has named a strong starting 15 which includes championship debuts for David Byrne (full-back), John Small (centre-back) and Brian Fenton (midfield).

Full-back Rory O'Carroll misses out because of a hamstring injury but he said during the week: "For us, in many ways, to people looking in it's a lose-lose.

"We're expected to win and if we lose, we're branded as losing to a Division 4 team. It's going to be tough either way. They're definitely going to up their game."

After their lack-lustre Division 4 final performance, Longford turned the tables on Offaly to register a 0-16 to 0-13 first round victory over the Faithful County in Tullamore.

The midlanders ran Dublin close the last time they met in championship action in Glennon Bros Pearse Park back in 2006.

1-12 to 0-13 was the final scoreline on that occasion and Sheedy and Longford would settle for a two-point defeat tomorrow ...

Verdict - Dublin.

Dublin team: Stephen Cluxton; Jonny Cooper, David Byrne, Philly McMahon; Darren Daly, John Small, Jack McCaffrey; Brian Fenton, Denis Bastick; Paul Flynn, Ciarán Kilkenny, Diarmuid Connolly; Dean Rock, Kevin McManamon, Bernard Brogan.

Longford team: tbc

Match details: Sunday, Croke Park, 4pm.

Referee: Conor Lane.

Odds: Dublin 1/100, Draw 33/1, Longford 20/1.

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