It's the third year-in-a-row that Dublin and Meath will meet to decide the destination of the Delaney Cup.

The smart money is on the metropolitans collecting their ninth provincial title out the last 10 years but 'Meath won't fear Dublin' is a well-worn GAA cliche and positive noises have been emanating from the Royal camp this past week.

"There's a buzz around the county again. And I'm sure expectations have risen as our performances have risen," manager Mick O'Dowd said.

"Now it comes to Meath/Dublin. And Meath people always love that game. It's close to the heart."

All-Star nominee Mickey Newman's return to full fitness is a big boost to the Tayto Park sponsored outfit's chances of causing an upset and he is recalled to the team, with Dalton McDonagh making way, in the only change to the side that overcame Kildare in the semi-final by 2-16 to 0-17.

Jim Gavin, meanwhile, has also been talking up the local derby rivalry this week.

"They're always good, honest, hard games of football. Both teams will really go hard at it, as we saw last year. So, either team can win this game."

Gavin has identified Meath's goal-scoring threat as something for his players to keep a close eye on as Meath have racked up an impressive return of 9-29 in their two games to date against Carlow and Kildare.

They failed to find the back of Stephen Cluxton's net in the corresponding fixture last year, however, which the sky blues won on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-14.

The Kevin Reilly-captained Meath gave as good as they got for two thirds of that encounter but had no answer to a strong finish by the Dubs and history could repeat itself this weekend.

Verdict - Dublin.

Meath team: Paddy O'Rourke; Eoghan Harrington, Kevin Reilly, Bryan Menton; Padraic Harnan, Donal Keogan, Donnacha Tobin; Brian Meade, Shane O'Rourke; Damien Carroll, Bryan McMahon, Andy Tormey; Graham Reilly, Stephen Bray, Mickey Newman.

Dublin team: Stephen Cluxton; Philly McMahon, Rory O'Carroll, Jonny Cooper; James McCarthy, Nicky Devereux, Kevin Nolan; MD Macauley, Cian O'Sullivan; Paul Flynn, Alan Brogan, Diarmuid Connolly; Kevin McManamon, Paddy Andrews, Bernard Brogan.

Match details: Sunday, Croke Park, 2pm.

Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh).

Odds: Dublin 1/8, Draw 14/1, Meath 6/1. Tweet

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