Winning a long overdue All-Ireland SFC in 2011 was the making of this Dublin team according to Eoghan O'Gara.

Their memorable final win over Kerry has instilled the type of self-belief in O'Gara and his team-mates which helps them get out of tricky situations such as the one they found themselves in when trailing Cork by 10 points in the FL Division 1 semi-final.

"There is great character and belief in the team," O'Gara said to the Irish Independent.

"In the last number of years, since we won the All-Ireland, that's something that we have had and produced.

"We produced it in a few games towards the end of the league. It gives us great confidence, that we have it in the bag when the chips are down and we go right to the end of a game and the final whistle. It's nice to know we have that.

"It's a great mix of older, experienced guys. Everybody on the squad nearly has an All-Ireland medal and the underage lads have numerous U-21 All-Irelands. There is great trust and belief there. And I think that's what you see in those games."

Dublin will be hoping to turn the tables on Derry who defeated them in the group stage at Celtic Park when they meeting in Sunday's decider at Croke Park.

"We never really got into the game in Derry. They were very effective. Trying to frustrate us and restrict our time on the ball. Mark Lynch is probably the form player for them in the country.

"He dictates things for them and they're experienced throughout. They seem to be really getting things right in this league. It's going to be a very difficult game on Sunday. Croke Park is a big pitch. That might change the game a small bit.

"But in terms of playing Derry, we know that if we play like we did against Cork this Sunday, it won't be good enough to beat them." Tweet

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