It is difficult to envisage anything other than a 52nd Leinster SFC success for Dublin.

The Dubs may have a new manager at the helm in Jim Gavin but the status quo is expected to remain in the eastern province.

The new voice in the dressing room, not to mention the introduction of plenty of new faces into the squad, appears to have re-energised the Dublin camp.

They will, however, have to be careful to avoid looking too far ahead. Dublin's season will be judged on how far they go in the All-Ireland series but they can't afford to take their eye off the ball and must take things one game at a time.

Of the pretenders to their throne, Kildare would appear to be best placed to unseat them but Kieran McGeeney's charges have flattered to deceive on more than one occasion in the past.

The Lilywhites have unearthed some young players of great promise but their confidence will have taken a hit following their All-Ireland U21 semi-final defeat at the hands of Galway.

A lack of firepower up front continues to be their Achilles Heel.

Should the early stages of the championship go according to form, Dublin and Kildare are on course to meet at the semi-final stages.

The Stephen Cluxton captained outfit will play the winners of Westmeath and Carlow while the Lilywhites will face Offaly in their opener at Croke Park on Saturday, June 1.

Westmeath enjoyed a productive FL Division 2 campaign but not many would give them much of a chance against Dublin should they, as expected, see off the challenge of Anthony Rainbow and his Carlow side.

Meath will bid to reach the provincial showpiece for the second year running when they start out against the winners of Longford and Wicklow.

Laois - who dumped the Royals out of the qualifiers last summer - will play host to Louth on Sunday, May 26th.

There is not much separating Meath, Laois and Louth in terms of who have what it takes to book a final ticket for Sunday, July 14th.

Glenn Ryan and Longford will also take some beating and can't be totally ignored.

Whatever way you look at it, however, there is no escaping the conclusion that Stephen Cluxton will have, at least, one more speech to make before the year is out.

Winners: Dublin

Runners-up: Meath Tweet

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